My blue rose: Before I get complaints about this chapter I’m going to say right now that the Hogwarts Express is a magic train. It can go however fast it wants. Personally I that the train ride is only instituted so the kids can make friends before they get sorted into houses. Thanks to whoever pointed out that I was spelling Voldemort wrong in the last chapter. I thought I was spelling it wrong but I was too lazy to open a Harry Potter book and check…XD

Chapter 7: Early Arrival

“I suggest you leave before you sustain anymore injuries” Kurama said flatly.

His perpetual smile was gone; his eyes were distant and cold. This change of expression caused a thrill of fear to run down Harry’s spine. Kuwabara let go of Crabbe who fell to the floor with a heavy thud. Hiei released Malfoy who spun around tears in his eyes, looking furious.

“I’ll, I’ll get you expelled for this! You, you-” He was interrupted by Kurama.

“We are not students. As I have said, leave, or you will regret it.” The last four words held a sinister promise.

Malfoy picked his wand up from where it had fallen on the compartment floor. Holding it he appeared to make a decision. He gestured to Crabbe and Goyle who pick themselves clumsily off the floor and followed him out of the compartment. The four men sat back down in the same seats they had been sitting in before, as if nothing had happened.

“How did you do that?” Ron demanded.

“Practice, talent, and few blows to the head on my part, and Yusuke’s too, for that matter.” Kuwabara said smiling.

“As for Hiei,” The man in question briefly turned to glare at Kuwabara, “He was probably born knowing how to do that.”

Ron’s response was stopped by a long stream of Japanese from Yusuke, who was smiling and looking thoroughly pleased with himself. The Trio glanced at each other confused as to how theses men could be so calm after such an encounter.

Harry shot several furtive looks at Kurama, but he was back to that carefree expression of his, with that faint smile. Hiei was leaning against the window again, watching the green downs that were rushing by.

“Why didn’t you use your wands?” Hermione asked tentatively. She was still wondering how much trouble they were all going to be in when they got to school.

Silence greeted this question, even after Kuwabara had whispered what it meant in Japanese to Yusuke. Kurama looked at Kuwabara who shrugged, then at Hiei who steadfastly ignored him.

“Well… It is hard to explain,” Kurama said, after it was clear there would be no help from his friends. “We do not use wands when we feel the situation does not call for them”

“Oh…” Hermione looked at Ron and Harry who were obviously as confused about this as she was. Since Kurama looked uncomfortable, and she had already offended them once, she decided not to pursue the subject.

There was a moment of awkward silence, only the rumbling of the train could be heard. Harry looked out the small part of the window that was not covered by Hiei’s head. He gasped in surprise; the stony gray castle that was Hogwarts loomed in the distance.

He looked at his watch; it was only ten minutes after twelve! They shouldn’t be at Hogwarts this early! The witch that severed the cart with the treats hadn’t even come by yet! What was going on?

“Hermione,” he nudged her “Look.” He pointed to the castle in the distance. She blinked and looked at her watch.

“We can’t be there yet! We’ve got at least another four hours until the train usually arrives.”

“Something must have happened. We should change.” Ron said looking worried.

Harry, Ron and Hermione pulled on their black Hogwarts uniforms. They all felt a little self conscious as the four men in the compartment were staring at them with mild interest. Harry desperately wanted to go to the window and get a proper view of the approaching castle but he didn’t think Hiei would move for him.

“Is something wrong?” Kurama inquired.

“We’re here early. The train never arrives this early. Something’s wrong.” Harry answered fingering his wand in his pocket in trepidation.

Kurama looked at Kuwabara who frowned and related the information to Yusuke whose eyes narrowed and he smirked in anticipation. Kurama meet Hiei’s eyes, the small man nodded and left the compartment so fast that all anyone saw of him was a black blur.