Heyy! Thanks for all the reviews! They really make writing this a pleasure. I'm sorry this chapter took a little longer to update than the others.

Disclaimer: I don't own them. :-(

LostArtist

Last Chapter

"We better get going now. We still need to get the rest of your supplies before we can see Fred and George's joke shop," Mrs. Weasley came up apparently having stopped to speak quietly with Satsuki for awhile. "We've spent so much time here already, we're going to need to hurry."

The two groups separated as the Chang's emerged from the shop.

"See ya around school!" Kagome called after the four as they waved goodbye.

Chapter 5

"Cho's cousin, huh?" Ron said as they walked away.

"She seems really nice," Hermione pointed out. "I hope she's in Gryffindor. It would be so nice to have another girl around!"

Ginny stopped, putting her hands on her hips. "What am I? A toad?"

"No! No, of course not, I just mean… Well I mean you don't even hang out with us that often at school and well we're not in the same classes what with being in different years…" Hermione hastily tried to explain while Ginny laughed.

"I'm kidding, Hermione. I'm not as big a studier as you and Kagome seem to be anyway. I think I might die with the way the two of you could probably go on."

The friends continued talking amiably as they walked down the road.

Harry however, remained mysteriously quiet through the conversation. He couldn't stop thinking of Kagome. It wasn't anything romantic, no, she was just...interesting. There was something different about her. He couldn't put his finger on it, but it definitely seemed like there was more to her then she let on.

Harry continued to ponder this throughout the next two weeks. Before he knew it, Harry and his friends were being packed into another Ministry car (heightened security measures) and were on their way to the Hogwarts Express.

As soon as he got through the barrier he looked around. Ron and Hermione emerged from the wall behind him.

"Come on Harry, the train's gonna leave soon. We better get on," Hermione said.

After saying their goodbyes to Mr. and Mrs. Weasley they all clambered onto the train.

Ron and Hermione went off to the prefect compartment, leaving Harry on his own. Dragging his trunk through the packed train he finally found an almost empty compartment.

"Mind if I have a seat?" Harry asked entering through the door. The girl who had been previously looking out the window jumped looking up. Her eyes brightened seeing a familiar face.

"Oh! Of course not, sit down! Harry, right?" she asked.

"Yep," he answered smiling. "Where's your cousin? I thought for sure you'd sit with her."

Kagome smiled sheepishly. "She offered but I told her I'd promised someone I'd meet up with them. The truth is I didn't really like the girl she was with," she blushed.

Harry laughed, finally getting his trunk in the rack and sitting down across from Kagome.

"Where are your friends?" she asked curiously.

"Ron and Hermione had to go to the prefect compartment and do rounds first," he answered, sitting down, "and I think Ginny went off with her boyfriend," he said not sure what had happened to her.

"Oh," Kagome said looking a little disappointed.

"They should be coming around later though," Harry added. "Do you know what house you're in yet?" He was almost hoping she'd say Gryffindor, though he knew she'd probably be in Ravenclaw since her cousin was there and she was so smart.

"No, Cho said I'd probably get sorted tonight," Kagome replied. "What house are you in?"

"Gryffindor." Harry answered, smiling.

She smiled back. There was a lull in the conversation as Harry tried to think of something to talk about. He'd been hoping for another chance to talk to her for the past two weeks and now he couldn't even think of a conversation topic.

"So, how was your summer? You said you were living with your cousin and catching up to sixth year?" Harry asked finally, wishing he'd come up with a better question as soon as it left his mouth.

"It was insane!" Kagome replied, her enthusiasm immediately sweeping away any doubt Harry had in his question. "I never want to learn that much information at once again. I mean, I don't mind studying and learning new things, especially when it's as interesting as magic, but five years is a lot for three months."

"I just can't believe you actually did it," Harry said amazed that anyone could.

"I'm used to cramming," she smiled, remembering all the times she'd have to fight a certain hanyou for just one night to study before a huge test.

Just then the compartment door slid open. "Harry! Finally found ya," Ron said walking in the room with Hermione behind him.

"Oh! Kagome! How are you? I didn't know you'd be sitting with Harry," Hermione said sitting next to the girl. Kagome smiled at her, glad they'd arrived. She'd been hoping to see them all again.

The four spent the rest of the train ride talking and enjoying each others company. Hermione and Kagome were both extremely excited to find a possible study-buddy in each other, and Kagome found herself hoping to be in Gryffindor with the three friends.

While the girls were talking about school and what Kagome had learned over the summer, the boys talked about Quidditch and tryouts. Now that Harry was captain it was up to him to pick this year's team. Kagome curiously inquired about their conversation and was pulled in to a long excited explanation of Quidditch, how it's played, who's who on the school teams, and how they compete for the Quidditch Cup each year.

After a while of talking Hermione remembered something she'd wanted to ask when they first met.

"I hope you don't mind me asking, but how do your mom and Mrs. Weasley know each other?" she had an idea, but she wanted to see what Kagome would say.

"Oh, they work together," Kagome replied simply.

Ron raised an eyebrow, "but mum doesn't work."

"Um," Kagome wasn't sure how much she could tell them.

"Is she in the Order?" Harry asked solving her dilemma. Kagome nodded. "So that means you know about Voldemort and all?" Harry said, ignoring Ron and Hermione's wince.

"Is that what his name is? Finally! No one would ever actually say it, they'd only ever say You-Know-Who or whatever else. Voldemort," she said testing it as the other two flinched again.

"Is that why you moved here from Japan?" Hermione asked, glad that her previous assumption was correct.

Kagome nodded again. "My mom and dad fought in the first war against him. She was called back by my uncle right before summer began. He said they'd need all the help they could get. I didn't even know anything about wizards until then."

"But isn't your mum a wizard? How else would she fight in the war?"

"She gave up magic after my dad died," Kagome said sadly. "My brother and I grew like normal muggles. Mom only told me the truth when she found out Voldemort had returned. Before that I thought dad had died in an accident."

"I thought that too until I was eleven," Harry said softly.

Kagome looked up, "He killed your Dad too?" she asked.

"and my mom. I grew up with my muggle aunt and uncle, and their son," he answered.

Kagome smiled at him sadly, understanding a little of his pain.

"We should probably get into our robes soon," said Hermione a few moments later. She was interested in hearing more about Kagome, but she thought it would be best to continue the conversation later.

They changed quickly, the train coming to a stop shortly after. "What happens to our trunks?" Kagome asked as they walked off.

"They're brought up to our rooms for us, though yours will probably go in with the first years until you're sorted," Hermione answered before leading the way to the carriages. Ron and Hermione climbed in to the nearest empty one, but Kagome paused. Harry almost ran into her but stopped in time. Following her eyes he saw what had distracted her.

"What are those?" Kagome asked staring at the strange creatures attached to the carriages.

"Thestrals," Harry answered after a pause, returning her sad smile from earlier. "Not everyone can see them though."

"Why not? How come you and I can?"

"You have to have seen death to be able to see a thestral," he answered. Kagome's eyes dimmed in understanding. "Oh" was all she said in response. Harry looked at her curiously as they both climbed in.

As the four rode up to the castle, Kagome's thoughts quickly turned to anticipation as the carriage drew closer to her next adventure.

Until next time!

LA