Yeah I finally updated. At long last. I know it's been forever since I've updated, or felt like it anyway, and I'm sorry about that. I've been in a bit of a slump lately but I think I might have some ideas for next chapter so I can continue this story.

This chapter is a bit shorter than the others mainly because I had a couple pages written out in Word from a few weeks ago and just cut it off after I added a bit more to the chapter. I figured I can put up a shorter chapter since I haven't updated in a while. I think I'll start working on the next chapter today and hopefully have it up soon.

Thanks for everyone who reviewed, there were so many I can't even keep track of them all but if you did I thank you.

For those of you who are asking if Ichigo's going to get his shinigami powers back I have no plans for that to happen so far, though I am thinking of doing something with his hollow. I have a certain spell in mind that might trigger something.

Got some reactions of the other schools in here, mainly Durmstrang, and Ichigo mainly being cool and mysterious and disliking being left in the dark. Usual stuff for this fic. And some cute Ichigo/Luna friendship bonding. And if you're wondering, NO it will NOT be Ichigo/Luna as anything more than friends. No romance in this story, sorry.

Okay now that I got my apology/rant done with, disclaimer: I own NOTHING. Except the spells I make up. Those are all mine.

Enjoy kiddies!(I know most of you aren't children but I can call you all what I want! It's my story! Hmf)

Last chapter:

Exclamations came from members of all three schools as the rest of the crowd spotted the person still approaching. The person didn't seem to notice the commotion they were causing simply by their presence, they just continued on towards the doors to the castle, only stopping when they were around ten feet in front of Dumbledore and as many feet straight up. A breeze rustled the person's robes, displaying the green lining and crest of Slytherin on the left breast, but did not dislodge the hood shadowing the person's face. The students began whispering this to their neighbors though most still did not realize the identity of the mystery Slytherin. It wasn't until Dumbledore shouted, "Would you come down please Mr. Kurosaki?" over the wind that the rest of the students understood.

The figure threw back his hood, revealing orange hair falling into dark brown eyes and reaching the tops of his shoulders. He raised the black and red wand held loosely in his right hand and flicked it upwards before putting it away in a hidden sheath in his sleeve. He dropped straight down the second the wand was raised, causing students and teachers to call out in warning, concerned that a fall so far would injure him. His expression did not change; it remained perfectly blank even as he bent his legs and landed smoothly, barely making a sound. He straightened and looked straight at Dumbledore, even as everyone else in the crowd was staring at him with their mouths hanging open, "So why did you want me to come to school today? I was busy."

Dumbledore smiled at the newest arrival, though those who knew him longest could tell it was a bit strained, and beckoned him to come closer. The orange haired Slytherin hesitated a moment before walking to stand before the three Headmasters. "I was beginning to worry that you wouldn't make it."

Ichigo stared at Dumbledore for a few seconds, trying to figure out if he was being toyed with or not, "What are you talking about Old Man, you're the one who told me to be here today. Do you know how annoying it is to convert a time to fit my time zone? I live in Japan, not England. There's several hours difference. It was especially annoying to get away from my damn father who tried to force me to participate in 'family day,' whatever joke that is. I guess I should thank you, it gave me a great excuse to get out of it, who knows what the Old Goat would have tried to make me do." His expression did not change in the slightest, the only indication of his mood being the slight change of tone in his voice. He completely ignored the fact that practically everyone in the courtyard was currently staring at him.

Dumbledore just smiled at him, blue eyes twinkling in a way that made Ichigo grit his teeth, "Ah yes, of course. Well you are here now so I think we can start don't you think?"

Ichigo scowled at the old wizard, dark brown eyes hard, "What are you talking about? Why do I have to be here? I got permission to study from home yet you call me back to school before a month is up? What is this about?"

Dumbledore chuckled at the angry teen and gestured for everyone to go inside, "You will understand once we get everyone in the Great Hall and get supper started. Now I am curious, what was that spell you were using? Where did you learn it? I am sure we do not teach students how to walk on air."

The teen just snorted and muttered, "I didn't learn it, it's mine of course," as he passed the Headmaster to disappear into the castle.

Dumbledore looked a tad uncomfortable as he watched the bright haired teen dodge students in his hurry to get inside. That boy…..

As the Hogwarts students and teachers settled at their tables Dumbledore introduced the visiting schools and their Headmasters. The students cheered and whispered to each other about the guests as each school took their turns making their entrance.

Ichigo sat at his usual spot at the very end of the Slytherin table with his back to the wall, hood back up and watching the visitors with wary eyes. He didn't know what this was about, and was pretty sure he didn't like it. He hated not being told things, even more after having to deal with Urahara for a year, and he didn't truly trust Dumbledore yet. The man hadn't done anything to earn his trust, especially after being way too curious about him and hiring a werewolf who had been loose and all too able to harm anyone who got in its way.

He glanced up at the Head Table where the Headmaster of Durmstrang was just sitting down and frowned, his senses were nowhere near as good as they were when he still possessed his shinigami powers, but something wasn't right. The Durmstrang Headmaster, Karkaroff, seemed too dark, much like Snape, but it was Moody, the new Defense Against the Dark Arts professor according to one of his loud housemates, that really made his skin crawl. The man didn't feel right; something was off about him… He would watch him when he was here, that he was sure.

He half listened to Dumbledore introduce the Triwizard Tournament and reveal the Goblet of Fire before he finished, making the students all break out into conversations with their neighbors. Ichigo ignored them all, especially the Durmstrang students who were now sitting at his table and his neighbors knew better than to try and talk to him.

The Durmstrang students seemed to notice the students' aversion to Ichigo and snuck looks at him as they participated in their own conversations.

He heard one of the Durmstrang students ask an older Slytherin about Ichigo, which took a few repetitions due to the northerner's heavy accent. When the sixth year finally understood who he was asking about, mainly because of the numerous points in the hooded student's direction, they answered at a low murmur, unaware that Ichigo could easily hear him, "That's Ichigo Kurosaki. He's from Japan. Started last year but was put straight in the third year cause he's older. Apparently he's from a Pureblood family, the Gamps, but his mum's a squib and his dad's a muggle. He was at the top of the class in all of his subjects last term. Got permission to study from home this year, says he wants to skip grades. He's already as old as a seventh year but he started late, still managed to catch up to the third years in one summer. No one knows much about him, he doesn't talk much, doesn't like people either. Got a huge beast of an owl too," as if summoned by the talk about her, Ichigo's huge Fish Owl swooped into the Great Hall, a package in her claws.

The room quieted as the new students and visitors got their first look at the massive bird, even those who had seen it before silenced because it was that striking. Ichigo threw off his hood as he raised his arm, holding the heavy bird easily as he untied the package. It fell to the table top with a loud thump, showing how heavy it was, and the bird climbed up her master's arm to settle on his shoulder. Ichigo undid the wrappings on the parcel, revealing a stack of papers, which he promptly began rifling through. Standing, he made his way over to the Head Table and dropped the stack in front of Dumbledore. When the Headmaster only looked up at him confused, he sighed, "My completed work so far. I finished all the assignments for all my fourth year classes. I'm starting on my fifth year work once I get home." With that he pivoted on his heel and stalked out of the Great Hall with long, ground devouring strides, not looking aside once, the doors slamming closed behind him.

The sixth year who had spoken previously turned back to the Durmstrang boy, ignoring the new whispers breaking out, especially Malfoy's angry grumbles, "That was it. No one knows what kind it is, just that it's the largest owl anyone here has. Malfoy's got an Eagle owl but it's still smaller than Kurosaki's bird. Thing looks vicious, it attacked one of the fourth years last year when they were trying to get his attention. Was sitting all calm on his shoulder then lashed out when the girl tried to touch Kurosaki. It stopped once Kurosaki raised a hand, got it trained somehow, dunno how but who knows what he does." He stopped for a moment, turning an irritated look on Malfoy, who was muttering louder about the departed student, "Malfoy doesn't like him, got beaten up last year cause his father put down a hippogriff that hurt him. I wasn't there for the class but apparently Kurosaki flew the more dangerous hippogriff, had less trouble than Potter did. He warned Malfoy about something before the class was over, no one knows what it was since Malfoy won't talk about and no one can get Kurosaki to say anything if he doesn't want to."

Another student sitting next to the sixth year piped in, "Right weird one, Kurosaki. Won't talk to anyone unless 'e has to. Even ignores the professors unless he's asked something directly. Just spends all his time in the library or writin' in those little books o' his. Won't let anyone look at them neither. He'll just shut them until you go away or 'e'll leave. Malfoy mocked him about it, called it a diary, then Kurosaki stood over 'im for a bit, glarin' at him, then just left. Malfoy didn't say it again, he's right scary when he wants t' be. Real good at fightin' too, from how he took down Malfoy and his boys. 'e didn't even get in trouble fer it, just got a warnin' from Dumbledore."

The Durmstrang student who was initially curious exchanged looks with some of his classmates who were sitting nearby. They spoke quietly to each other until Krum withdrew from his bench, leaving a ranting Malfoy behind, and followed him.

Students from the other tables were finishing up and left the Great Hall in groups, some to wander the halls or just to find a nice spot to talk about the guests. Luna left her place at the Ravenclaw table and made her way outside, stopping at one of the entrances to the courtyard and looking around. She stopped as she spotted the large form of Tsuki in the lower branches of the largest trees in the yard, and walked over, peering into the branches for the transfer. "Hello there," she chimed to alert the older boy to her presence.

A dark form shifted in the branches next to where the Fish Owl was perched and dark brown eyes glanced down at her before disappearing once more under the hood, "Hello Luna."

Luna brightened at the deep voice, pleased that the boy remembered her name, as not many seemed to bother, "Hello Ichigo. How are you? And Tsuki?"

More shifting and the rustles of fabric, "Fine, we're both fine. How about you? People being mean to you again? I'll make them stop."

"No no. I'm fine. Nothing I can't handle. A lot of nargles in the castle this year but not too bad. I saw you earlier, you were walking on air. I didn't know there was a spell to do that."

The branches were silent for a moment, before Tsuki burst out of them, heading for somewhere in the distance. Luna watched her go and startled when she turned around only to be faced with Ichigo's chest a few inches away, she hadn't even heard the teen move, much less land from his jump from the tree. "You startled me, I didn't hear you move," she explained when she saw the confusion in his dark eyes.

He nodded once before apologizing, "Sorry, didn't think I was being that quiet. I don't make a lot of noise when I move, forgot that most people don't have as good hearing as I do."

Luna nodded at his explanation before frowning, "You didn't answer my question."

"There was no question. You made a statement," he rumbled back.

She just huffed, "All right, I guess I didn't ask. How did you walk on air? I didn't think there was a spell that made you do that."

A deep chuckle was her only response, "I used a spell. There wasn't a spell to let you do it," he continued seeing her about to ask something else, "Until I made one. I've been coming up with my own spells since about halfway through last term."

She just stared at him while he glanced around them, making sure no one heard him. It would likely cause too much attention if people found out about it, he was pretty sure Luna wouldn't tell anyone. Not that anyone would likely believe her even if she did, since most of the students seemed to think she was crazy. He didn't like the attitude people took with Luna, but knew they'd have to get over it themselves if they wanted to see that she wasn't crazy, just different. If they didn't figure it out themselves, that was their loss.

"How marvelous. I've never tried to come up with my own spells before, I heard only Seventh years have ever been known to do that, and even with them it is very rare." This was why Ichigo liked Luna, she was completely honest and unbiased, she didn't judge and she didn't hold others' accomplishments against them, even if they were better than her. "You must be very talented then. The only spell I could think of is one to chase off all the nargles that like to hide in the girl dorms but I haven't really thought as to how it would work. How do you do it?"

Ichigo leaned back against the tree trunk, chuckling softly at the pure curiosity shimmering in her pale blue eyes, he really preferred Luna's eyes to Dumbledore's, people always said Dumbledore had eyes that glittered but Ichigo thought it was a suspicious look on him, on Luna it looked pure and honest, a lovely combination. "I write down ideas of what I want the spell to do in here," he whipped out one of his many notebooks from one sleeve, "taking notes about what the spell requires and how it would work. Then I practice different movements and incantations until I find something that works. Some spells take longer than others, the more complex the spell, the harder it is to make. Some spells that go together with another spell, like Lumos and Nox are easier to do once one side of the spell if done. I have a few spells that come in pairs, one to initiate the change and the other to reverse it. And no, before you ask, I'm not going to show you. A guy's gotta have his secrets right?"

Luna gave him a mock-stern look that lasted barely four seconds before her face broke out into a wide smile, "That's all you are is secrets Ichigo Kurosaki, there's barely anything people actually know about you, not for lack of trying in any case."

Ichigo snorted, "trying my ass, stalking more like. Do you know how annoying it is to have people following you around, spying on you? These damn kids need to respect a person's privacy, seriously. I'm gonna start getting mad if they don't stop."

"We don't need that. You'll get in more trouble if you put any more of your classmates in the infirmary. Though I suppose they aren't your classmates anymore….. what year are you in now Ichigo?"

The taller teen smirked, pleased with himself, "I just finished all the fourth year work and started on the fifth year stuff. It's finally getting interesting, everything else was so boring. Then I'll take my OWLs in the spring and be a sixth year next term."

Luna's blue eyes widened, "truly? I've never heard of anyone skipping grades before, especially so many at once. I am impressed. Don't forget to come visit me even if we are no longer yearmates, I will be lonely without you Ichigo."

Ichigo's dark brown eyes softened, the fierce fire that always seemed to inhabit them dimming, "Of course I will Luna, you're the only one in this crazy bin I can actually tolerate. The rest of them are all nutters."

That made Luna burst out into loud and slightly hysterical laughter, "Oh, the rest are crazy and we are the sane ones? Oh Ichigo I do believe it is the other way around. It is us who are so off our rockers that we must band together to survive the normals!"

Ichigo chuckled back, smiling softly as the girl tried to control her hysterical laughter. He truly did consider Luna his only friend at Hogwarts. She was sweet if a bit strange sometimes and she was curious about him but did not pry. His old friends in Karakura would always harass him for answers, not leaving him alone unless he clammed up or flat out left. Luna was fully aware of how odd Ichigo was but she still accepted him, she didn't care that he was older, or antisocial, or smarter than her, she was just glad for his company and liked him for who he was and not who he used to be.

They bid their farewells and parted ways, Ichigo to head back to the dorms since it was late in Japan and he wasn't going to bother going home so late just to get a few hours of sleep, Dumbledore would likely just call him back soon anyway.

He ignored his housemates' stares as he entered the common room after cornering a second year for the password, heading straight for the bed left purposely empty in the boy's dorms and collapsing down onto it, falling asleep in minutes.

So what'cha think? Other than short I mean. I know it's short. I don't do massively long chapters, they make my head hurt.

I will work on the next chapter now. Reviews and suggestions please!

Ta ta for now!