Kurama spent the next couple of days since the meeting watching Draco – getting to know when he was alone, who he spent most of his time with, what classes he had and at what time, stuff like that. He had learned that before dinner, after classes get out, was when Draco tended to be alone. He usually stayed by the lake, in the shade of the castle.

Today was Wednesday, and Kurama decided that today was the day he would start his plans. Stepping out onto the grounds, wearing casual clothes – a maroon long-sleeve button-down with black jeans and black socks – he silently made his way behind Draco, and said quietly, "Lovely day, isn't it?"

---

Draco had finally finished the round of classes for today, and finally had some time just to be by himself. Wearing black robes – silk, of course – and black shoes on his feet, his blonde hair being blown awry in the wind, he was at a calm that he only experienced when he was alone.

Sure, friends were nice, but his were so... superficial. They only were his friends because they wanted something from him, and once they had it, they left. That was how all of his 'friends' were, and nothing much has changed over the years. Of course, he was being hypocritical, since he was the exact same way.

He leaned back, using his arms to prop up the upper half of his body, so that he could relax and see the sun going down over the lake, making a serene scene. Most people that didn't know him would think this was odd, since he was a Slytherin. They just didn't understand his house that much.

They had the worst turnout for Dark wizards for sure; yet the other houses had Dark wizards – just not as bad.

He closed his eyes, and the wind picked up, playing with the semi-short hairs on his head.

"Lovely day, isn't it?" A smooth accented voice said behind him, making him jump. Who the hell—

It was that foreigner from the train... Minamino.

"And what do you want?" Draco scowled after regaining his composure – which only took about a second.

"To talk. I think we got off to a bad start. Mostly it was my fault, seeing as how my... friends... had gotten me in a bad mood earlier that day on the train. I never had the chance to apologize." Minamino said, and Draco noticed how he had hesitated on the word 'friends'.

"Then why are you friends with them, if they only annoy you?" Draco asked.

"It is of good use to me at this time," Minamino answered, looking out over the lake as he did so.

---

"It is of good use to me at this time."

Kurama fed him answers while staring out over the lake. He had to gain this young boys trust, and in doing do, had to pretend that he didn't like his allies. Luckily they understood – they didn't want to break tradition after all – and had discussed this at great lengths. Well, more like he discussed it and they nodded along.

"I don't see you in classes," Draco stated, bordering along the lines of a question. Kurama smirked, and looked over at him.

"I am a second year student; I don't have the same schedule as you."

"What school did you go to before this one?"

"Ah... I was privately tutored along with my friends. I had progressed farther then them, and happen to be older, so I moved ahead a year." Kurama said, thinking quickly. This was most plausible, since Japan only had one prestigious magical school – Daigakuin no Mahouteki (-1-).

"So what do you want, to come bother me right now?" Draco asked, and Kurama stretched slightly.

"I just wanted to apologize," he said, not wanting to rush anything. Draco may become suspicious if he asked to be friends right now. "Well, pleasant evening," Kurama said, backing up a few paces before turning around, and without even waiting for a reply, walked away.

Draco looked back to see him leaving, and shrugged, going back to looking over the lake. His thoughts were swirling. Sure, many people have apologized to him before, but for the first time, it felt like someone meant it.

---

The next day dawned bright and early for Yusuke, and he wasn't that happy about it. He still wasn't use to sharing a room with 5 other boys, waking up early in the morning, and actually attending school. He thought personally he was doing a good job dealing with it, but he could go for a rampaging demon right around now... Maybe he would ask Kuwabara if he wanted to spar later.

He showered and dressed in the stupid robes that they were forced to wear here and once again felt like he was wearing a dress. Slipping on a pair of pants, to knock that edge off, he brushed his teeth and grabbing his wand, shoved it in his pocket. By this time, the rest of the dorm had awoken and were starting to get ready. Seeing Harry and Ron come into the bathroom, looking half-asleep, he bounded up to them, giving a rather cheerful "Hello!"

They both looked at him like he was nuts, being that awake already, and Yusuke ignored it. "I was wondering if I could sit with you at breakfast, seeing as I know no one else here yet."

"S-s-sure," Harry yawned, and after a farewell and a promise to save them some seats, Yusuke went off to breakfast, his good mood gone. Instead, he was scowling at everything he passed, including the statues.

Not watching where hew as going, he ran smack dab into someone, knocking them over. He, himself, fell backwards away from the other person.

"Ten points from Gryffindor for knocking over a teacher."

Yusuke looked up and noticed it was that one teacher, Professor Snape.

"Maybe if YOU were watching where you were going, I wouldn't have knocked you over," Yusuke growled, and Snape glared.

"Ten more points from Gryffindor for talking back to a teacher."

"Why don't you take those points and shove them up your--" Yusuke started, but Keiko decided at that time to come down the stairs.

"Yusuke, finish that sentence and you wish you were still dead," Keiko snapped, and Yusuke scowled.

"Why not? He should have been watching where he was going."

"You should have too, so get to breakfast. Now."

With a humph, Yusuke got up off the ground, giving the scowling teacher one last glare, then headed off to breakfast. Keiko, sighing, gave a small bow to the teacher, and apologized for Yusuke.

"I am sorry, Professor Snape, for Yusuke's actions. He is not use to authority telling him what to do."

"That is no excuse," Snape said, and stalked off, leaving a very miffed Keiko behind.

---

Keiko was having a very bad morning. First off, she couldn't find her favorite shirt, and then her nicest robes had a hole in it. After having to change again, she was running late for breakfast, and found Yusuke trying to pick a fight with a teacher. Then the teacher ended up acting like an-- well, she didn't want to think like that, maybe he was having a bad day also.

Spotting Yusuke sitting at the Gryffindor table, she saw he was with two other boys talking, one with red hair, and one with messy black. She couldn't see their faces from where she was, but she could see Yusuke's fine; he was facing her after all. He gave a small nod when catching her eye, and she nodded back, and took a seat at her table.

"So who is that?" One of her roommates asked – she wasn't sure of their name yet. English names were so confusing.

"My friend Yusuke. I've known him since we were really young."

"He looks scary," Another girl commented, glancing at the Gryffindor table.

"Nah, he only puts up an act. When you get to know him, he's a big softy." Keiko said, smiling brightly. It was true, She's seen the better side of him, though he put up a punk-like act for everyone else to see.

"You like him!" One girl squealed, drawing attention from many of the people around her. Keiko looked confused, and replied questionably.

"Of course I do, he's my friend."

"No, you like like him," She explained, and Keiko was still confused.

"I don't understand."

"I mean, you have a crush on him!"

"Wha...! No!" Keiko answered, blushing slightly. The other girls giggled, and Keiko made it so she couldn't talk by filling her plate with the breakfast foods, and filling her mouth so she was unable to speak.

TBC

A/N: Short chapter, and not much in it, but it sets up the next part to my plot. Warning you now, there will be a lot of time skipping, since I don't want to have to drag it out forever. There's time for that later. So if a few months skip by, I warned you.

Happy Readings!

ALT