A/N: So...I'm still alive? I have my reasons for this late post, including lack of motivation, but you probably don't want to hear it. I just want to thank everyone for reviewing/favoriting this story, it really makes my day to read all of them.

As for the question on pairings, I've decided on a verdict...There will be no pairings in this fic. It seems to pose a great issue for most of you, and I would like to concentrate on weaving both worlds together rather than focusing on drama and romance. I hope you ichiruki fans stick around...

NOTICE: I EDITED THIS CHAPTER. IT HOLDS THE SAME CONTENTS EXCEPT THAT ICHIGO IS NO LONGER IN GRYFFINDOR.

Chapter 4: Boshi-san

The line shuffled forward in a nervous direction towards the front of the Great Hall. All eyes were drawn towards the first years, but mostly towards the three transfer students that followed. Professor McGonagall placed a wooden stool in front of them, along with a tattered hat that sagged with depressing age. Ichigo stared slightly perplexed at the ancient object, although he did not question the strange custom. As he came closer, he could almost detect a pulse of reiatsu from the object. Suddenly, the rip near the hat's brim opened wide like a mouth and the strange hat burst into song.

Once the hat finished, applause broke out, although it was punctured with scattered mutterings and whispers. Strange. Translating the dialogue proved challenging, although Ichigo managed to make out the gist of it.

"(It sounded like a warning,)" Rukia muttered under her breath.

"(But what for...)" He mused to himself.

Ichigo's eyes lazily scanned the row of teachers that were seated in front of him. He could easily spot the Headmaster, who's long white beard and intelligent aging features reminded him much of his surprise Dumbledore's gaze turned to him, and Ichigo was forced to stare at curious cornflake blue eyes. The Headmaster's questioning gaze caused him to feel guarded, so Ichigo broke the connection and continued observing the line of professors.

His eyes passed over a rather unpleasant looking man garbed in black robes to match his slick black hair, he seemed to be in a rather foul mood. Ichigo was not sure whether it was a fleeting expression or a permanent feature. Another teacher stood out from amongst the rest. Regarding clothing, her dress was one of the most abhorrent things he ever witness. It was an obnoxious pink dress that only existed to contrive disgust within the most tolerant being, and it certainly did not serve to flatter the stout woman at all. Her face resembled very much like a toad, and as she plastered on a disturbing smile, a frigid air of dislike washed over Ichigo.

Toshiro Hitsugaya's focus remained on Professor McGonagall as she began calling out names.

"Adam, James."

A small blond boy scrambled forward and nervously hopped on the stool while McGonagall dropped the hat directly over his head.

The hat seemed to consider for a moment before the rip near the brim opened and shouted, "Gryffindor!"

One of the tables erupted in cheer as the boy joined a group of students accented in red and gold. It wasn't until the boy moved towards the cheerful Gryffindor table when Toshiro spotted him. It was the Harry Potter boy. He was clapping along with his classmates, however there seemed to be greater things on his mind. Toshiro sensed something strange that certainly did not belong...this boy had an ominous death clinging to him. It wasn't normal, and he did not like it.

The chain of first years grew thinner as names were called upon for sorting.

"Hitsugaya, Toshiro."

A few whispers traveled across the room as they stared perplexity at the foreign student with snow white hair, however Toshiro held his head high in a dignified manner as he stepped towards the hat. He placed the dusty object on his head and waited patiently for something to happen. Silence.

'Oh...why, this is amazing.'

Toshiro frowned as he felt the invisible presence in his head. It was foreign, and he took much effort not to reject the voice, because he knew it belonged to the hat.

'I am graced with the presence of a Death God. A wise, precocious one at that. Although the question is, what brings you here at Hogwarts, if I might so humbly ask.'

He answered in his mind, 'I don't see why you need to know. However, I do not pose a threat to anyone. I am merely here to observe.'

'...I understand. Thank you for answering my question. So, moving on...do you mind telling your dragon I offer no harm?'

Toshiro signaled to Hyorimaru to stand down, and the hat uttered a sigh of relief.

'Thank you. I ask of one more thing, may I be allowed to shuffle through your memories? It is only so I can determine which house suits you.'

Toshiro hesitated as he mused over the hat's request. It was surely quite invasive to him and he did not approve of it at all. However, he did not want to appear suspicious either, so with grudging acceptance Toshiro obliged. He breathed deeply in order to lower the barricades around his mind, allowing the hat to sort through his wide collection of memories. Thankfully, the process was quick, and only moments later did the hat recede from his inner sanctions.

'Might I ask what the verdict is?'

'Well, Mr. Hitsugaya, you lead quite a life...as for your house out of the four...I wonder which you'll do well in more. Gryffindor is for the brave, but then Ravenclaw takes the wise. However there's also Slytherin with their avidity and Hufflepuff and their strong loyalty. Ah, but you choose whatever your heart may desire, for you fit in what all houses require.'

'Hmm...' Toshiro hummed as his large cerulean eyes scanned the room in contemplation, pondering on his choices until he spotted Harry Potter.

'Let's try Gryffindor, then."

'Ah, good choice! Well I bid your quest good luck, Death God'

"Gryffindor!"

The judgement was answered in applause as Toshiro took off the sorting hat and gracefully joined his designated table. While the hat's invasive scanning left him feeling quite naked, Toshiro felt somewhat pleased to be put in the same house as Harry Potter. It would allow him to observe the boy more closely.

Professor McGonagall continued down the list, and finally she called, "Kuchiki, Rukia."

Rukia rose to the stool in a calm manner while placing the old hat on her head. It was strange how these people put their faith in what should be an inanimate object. Somewhat irked that the hat fell over her eyes, she wondered what would happen next.

'Yet another Death God!'

Rukia flinched in surprise due to the foreign voice that pierced her mind. It definitely did not belong to her Sode no Shirayuki. The presence of the hat was a rather uncomfortable feeling, although she forced herself to endure it for the time being.

Slightly surprised that the hat saw through her guise, she asked quickly, 'I kindly ask that you do not reveal any information about our presence at this school. Our mission is highly classified, and it would be troublesome if anyone were to find out.'

'Of course, I swear to you secret shall not be uttered to anyone.'

Rukia silently thanked the hat before he moved on.

'Where will I be sorted?'

'Well, that depends. Would you be so kind as to as your beautiful sentry that I do not intend to do any harm?'

Rukia then realized that she was not the only one that was acting guarded. With an assuring tone she told Shirayuki that everything would be fine. Her zanpakutou reluctantly back off gradually.

'Thank you. Now, may I please scan your memories? It will be quick, I promise.'

Rukia stiffened at the thought, however since she could see no way around the situation, she stepped aside to allow the hat entrance. The hat disappeared into her house of memories, and as he scanned, Rukia could see pages of her life flash across her mind. The scenes resurfaced old feelings of joy, fear, and sadness. She saw her younger self dash through the grimy streets of Rukongai, and then the scene flashed to the time she was adopted into the Kuchiki family. Arbitrary moments continued to flicker in and out of her vision until it was all a blur. Soon enough, the hat returned from Rukia's memories.

'Well...so young, yet so old, I wonder what your future holds. Very clever, and yet so bold...I see loyalty...and dare I say cunning abilities. You are free to pick whatever house you want, Ms. Kuchiki.'

Rukia peeked out from under the brim of her hat and scanned the tables.

She made eye contact with Toshiro before thinking, 'I choose Gryffindor.'

'As you wish.'

"Gryffindor!"

Another wave of applause rang through the Great Hall as Rukia swept off the stool and approached the Gryffindor table. She joined Toshiro as they both patiently awaited Ichigo's turn.

Ichigo watched as Rukia and Toshiro were placed into Gryffindor. He supposed it would complicate things less if they stuck close together. Ichigo heard himself being summoned, and with a heavy sigh he approached the hat. He found it quite irritating as it seemed all the eyes in the room bore into him. If it wasn't his hair, it was probably his height. Rukia and Toshiro were lucky they were short enough to pass as first years, unlike him. Ichigo scowled as he put on the hat and impatiently crossed his arms, waiting for something to happen.

'...Oh my...Isn't this quite strange?'

Ichigo frowned as he felt the hat touch his conscience.

'Yeah, well I'm not normal...nor perfect for the matter. What do you want, Boshi-san?'

He felt a spike of annoyance as his hollow surfaced into the conversation.

'Oi, King. What the hell 's he doin' here?'

'Why, I'm here to sort...the three of you,' The hat answered nervously.

The hollow rebuked, 'What does that 'ave to do wit you fuckin' around in his head?'

'...I simply do this in order to analyze your personality...'

Ichigo felt his hand drag across his face in unamusement.

'Back off would you, Shiro? I can handle this.'

'Che, yeah right. When 'ave you been able to 'andle anything by yourself without fuckin' things up?'

'Urasai. I don't need to deal with you right now.'

Ichigo tersely shut out his hollow before focusing on the hat.

'You were saying?'

'...Um...what house. Let's see. That...He...won't hurt me anymore...will he?'

'Ano...sorry about that. No, I shut him off. What do you want?'

'Might I request to look at memories?'

Ichigo shuffled uncomfortably in his seat, 'What for.'

'To determine what house to put you in, Sir.'

'No.'

'Please, I promise it won't take long.'

'No.'

'I don't see the problem, there's no harm in-'

"I said NO."

The occupants of the Great Hall stared curiously at the orange haired teen, wondering what he could have been talking about.

Ichigo continued in his head, 'You won't understand. Just put me in Gryffindor, Boshi-san.'

'I'm afraid that is not permissible.'

There was a sudden perverse feeling that overcame him as he felt the hat bleed over his memories...touching his experiences. All Ichigo could do was relive his stinging flashbacks in the contours of his head. He was pulled into the back of his mind as he recounted his fighting experiences and his internal struggle for power. Ichigo couldn't count how many times his life and been on the brink of death's clutches, or how many times he was slashed and impaled. His entire life was a fight for power. The power to protect. Even the walls of his mind were conjured with skyscrapers that touched the sky...full of ambition and meaning.

'Dammit King. I knew ya' would screw things up again.'

The hat released Ichigo's memories before any harm could come to him, 'I see...You have endured many things, Mr. Kurosaki. But it is clear to me, that you belong in...'

"Slytherin!"

Ichigo gruffly pulled the hat off as a scowl etched over his face. There was a generous amount of indecent staring and inconsiderate whispering as he slowly approached the unappreciative table covered in green and silver banners.

"He looks like a Weasly."

"Is he suppose to be a first year?"

"I bet he dyes his hair."

Ichigo decided to tune out the remarks as he waited for the sorting to be finished. Finally, after Zeller Rose was sorted into Hufflepuff, the Headmaster rose to his feet. The old man had a soothing composure, something that Yama-ji lacked.

"To our newcomers, welcome! To our old hands- welcome back! There is a time for speech making, but this is not it. Tuck in!" Dumbledore's smiling voice rang throughout the Hall.

There was an appreciative laugh and an outbreak of applause as Dumbledore sat down neatly and threw his long beard over his shoulder so as to keep it out of the way of his plate. Ichigo almost jumped in surprise as food appeared out of nowhere, he almost grinned as he noticed that the five long tables were groaning under joints and pies and dishes of vegetables, bread, sauces, and unidentifiable plates that he couldn't wait to sample. He could even sense the reiatsu used to transport the food.

He dropped his fork in surprise and it clattered noisily against his plate. A hoard of ghosts decidedly appeared out of thin air, gliding over tables and occasionally conversing with the students. However, what unnerved him the most was that these ghosts lacked a 'chain of fate'. Just by observing some of their garb, the souls has to bee ages old, yet...none of them had been hollowfied yet. How could that possibly be? Ichigo realized that he must have confused their reiatsu with the other witches and wizards. He tried to catch a glimpse of Rukia and Toshiro to see their reaction, however they were too far away for him to interpret their expressions.

Then, he saw it. There was a faint shimmer of light that surrounded the ghost's chest. It was protecting it from hollowfication...was it the someone else's reiatsu? It was as if the school was keeping them here with it's own power. Interesting.

Ichigo continued to eat his meal in peace, simply observing the Great Hall. It seemed as if Hogwarts was separated, and he could sense the dislike and isolation between houses, especially coming from the Slytherins and Gryffindors. The isolation and lack of teamwork reminded him of the Gotei 13, when their three captains committed treason and almost destroyed Soul Society and the Living Realm.

When everyone had finished eating and the noise level in the hall was starting to creep upward again, Dumbledore returned to his feet once more. All previous talking ceased immediately as the students and staff turned to face the Headmaster.

"Well, now that we are all digesting another magnificent feast, I beg a few moments of your attention for the usual start-of-term notices," Dumbledore said.

"First years ought to know that the forest in the grounds is out of bounds to students- and a few of our older students ought to know by now too," The old man seemed to make eye contact with a few students among the mass.

"Mr. Filch, the caretaker, has asked me, for what he tells me is the four hundred and sixty-second time, to remind you all that magic is not permitted in corridors between classes, nor are a number of other things, all of which can be checked on the extensive list now fastened to Mr. Filch's office door. We have had two changes in staffing this year. We are very pleased to welcome back Professor Grubbly-Plank, who will be taking Care of Magical Creatures lessons; we are also delighted to introduce Professor Umbridge, our new Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher."

A round of polite but fairly unenthusiastic applause took place before the Headmaster continued again, "I would also like everyone to welcome Hogwarts' first group of exchange students; Toshiro Hitsugaya, Rukia Kuchiki, and Ichigo Kurosaki. They represent the Shinigami Academy of Japan, so please treat them as guests for the time being."

"Moving on, the tryouts for the House Quidditch teams will take place on the-"

He suddenly broke off, looking inquiringly at Professor Umbridge. It took a moment to understand why Dumbledore had stopped talking, but then they heard the Umbridge woman as she made an abrasive noise between coughs, "Hem, Hem," and it became clear that she had got to her feet and was intending to make a speech.

Dumbledore only looked taken aback for a moment, then he sat back down smartly and looked alertly at Professor Umbridge as though he desired nothing better than to listen to her talk. Ichigo noticed as other members of staff were not as adept at hiding their surprise. Even though he was not familiar with the Professor Dumbledore, it was clearly evident that he was a respected figure in the school, yet the toad like woman was audacious enough to interrupt the Headmaster was beyond him.

"Thank you, Headmaster," Professor Umbridge simpered, "for those kind words of welcome."

Ichigo blanched as he listed to her high-pitched, breathy, girlish voice, instantly growing a strong dislike towards the creature.

"Hem, Hem. Well, it is lovely to be back at Hogwarts, I must say! And to see such happy little faces looking back at me!" The thing smiled so sweetly that it caused Ichigo to scoff.

He looked around the room, however the students didn't appear happy at all, quite the contrary actually.

"I am very much looking forward to getting to know you all, and I'm sure we'll be very good friends!"

There was a lapse of giggling before the woman continued in a more business like manner, "Hem, hem. The Ministry of Magic has always considered the education of young witches and wizards to be of vital importance. The rare gifts with which you were born may come to nothing if not nurtured and honed by careful instruction. The ancient skills unique to the Wizarding community must be passed down through the generations..."

Ichigo noticed the attention span of the students seemed to be waning, although the Umbridge woman did not seem to take notice. He continued to listen, despite loathing the sound of her voice. As he took in her sugar coated words, his scowl deepened towards the encrypted message behind them.

"...because some changes will be for the better, while others will come, in the fullness of time, to be recognized as errors of judgement. Meanwhile, some old habits will be retained, and rightly so, whereas others, outmoded and outworn, must be abandoned. Let us move forward, then, into a new era of openness, effectiveness, and accountability, intent on preserving what ought to be preserved, perfecting what needs to be perfected, and pruning wherever we find practices that ought to be prohibited."

There was a minimal amount of clapping as Professor Umbridge finished her speech.

Tch, sounds like the Wizarding government is interfering with the student's education.

Dumbledore stood up to finish his speech before finally releasing the students to their dorms. The whole room stood to leave, causing the massive group of students to swarm towards the exit as they were all eager to find their beds.

Ichigo decided to follow his 'fellow' Slytherins as they exited the Great Hall. They seemed intent on avoiding him as if he were the bubonic plague, but this he did not mind one bit, he was greatful actually. He was still rather bitter towards the sorting hat, and how he had been separated from Rukia and Toshiro. Of course, there would be plenty of other means to contact them, it was just that he had felt violated somehow.

"Well, well, well. Look who we have here."

Ichigo didn't bother to turn around to the patronizing voice that could only belong to the annoying blond on the train.

"Feeling a little out of place aren't we?" Draco Malfoy drawled.

He continued to ignore the boy in favor of memorizing the halls of the grand school. Ichigo was definitely not in the mood to deal with him.

"Look, you foreign bastard, I could have you expelled for what you did on the train. So don't ignore me when I'm talking to you," Draco grabbed his shoulder in an effort to spin him around.

Ichigo grabbed his hand, bending his wrist hazardously in an unnatural position, "Shut up if you don't want to get hurt."

"Let go of me. I don't know how the likes of you managed to get into The great house of Slytherin, but that won't stop me from giving you trouble," Draco said with false confidence.

There was a lethal gleam in his eyes that pinned Draco on the spot, causing him to shudder. Ichigo threw his hand down in a disgusted way before continuing to catch up with the rest of the Slytherins.

Malfoy's voice trailed behind him, "We don't have to be enemies. We are fellow Slytherins after all."

The stone walls were cold and damp with only the occasional torches lighting up the hallway.

They finally reached a door and the girl prefect whispered the password, "Mackled Malaclaw."

Everyone continued to shuffle through the entrance before facing a rather extravagant reception area. The furniture was made a cold lavish green satin, accented by dark cherry wooded tables and chairs. A modernized looking hearth was centered in the middle, while rows of portraits lined the wall exhibiting snobbish looking wizards.

Draco and Pansy began assigning rooms to the first years while everyone else comfortably settled into the Slytherin dorms.

"Ichigo Kurosaki?"

Ichigo looked up as Pansy addressed him.

"You'll be sharing a room with Crab and Draco."

Ichigo glared between Draco and Pansy before sighing exasperatingly, "You've got to be kidding me."

Magic Files

Investigator: Kurosaki Ichigo

1. Unhollowfied ghosts roam the school due to the stabilizing magical reiatsu.

2. Inanimate objects such as hats can talk due to some type of kido.

3. I hate hats that can talk.

Q&A:

Question No.1

Can they manipulate their Reiatsu to cause crushing pressure on people inside their bodies?

Yes, this is definitely possible, however they cannot do so in their gigais.

Question No.2

Can they use their Zanpaktous?

Yes, this is possible because they are able to dispose of their gigais during emergencies so they are able to use their zanpaktous.

Question No.3

Can Ichigo use Kido?

We are assuming that the setting only takes place only one year after the war, and during this time I doubt Ichigo is a master at kido. However, he can preform a few simple spells when necessary.

Remember this story is not in cannon with the current Bleach plot.