Disclaimer- If I owned Harry Potter or Yu Yu Hakusho, I wouldn't be sitting on my lazy butt and writing a fanfic. Duh.
A/N- Hah! This chapter came later than I had hoped, but that always happens, now doesn't it? Good think I'm not getting paid for this; I'd be fired. Anyway, I love the ending of this chapter. Much fun. The best part is, things are only just starting! We haven't even hit the tip of the ice burg yet. Yay.
Don't steal my cross-over plot!
Have fun, luffs.
"You'll have one too, eventually," Hiei growled, unfolding his arms and pushing off from the wall. "Apparently it comes with the job."
"Ugh," Kuwabara grunted, removing his head from the trash can and wiping off his mouth. "I hate riding that thing. I feel be-" He had spoke too soon, however, and quickly ducked back down into the trash can.
"You'd think they were sending us to England or something with you talkin' like that," Yusuke said, hands on his hips as he cocked a brow, inspecting Hiei with an odd look. He didn't like where this was going; there was no way he was going out of the country. One trip to demon world had been enough, thank you. What good would going there do them, anyway? Most demonic activity they dealt with was focused in Japan.
"I'm afraid that is quite near where 'we're' sending you." Yusuke's brown eyes flicked to the door in time to see an old man walk into the room. His long beard and hair were silver, his blue eyes twinkling behind half-moon glasses. He wore the strangest clothing Yusuke had ever seen and having spent a few years in the Makai he had thought he'd seen it all. If he hadn't known any better, he'd have expected the strange man to have a wizard hat perched on his head. Weirdos these days. "I can assure you, however, that you will find Hogwarts most amusing."
"If you don't mind me asking," Kurama interrupted, eyes narrowed as he looked at the newcomer with a thoughtful glance, "how is it you can speak Japanese?"
"A simple translation spell," the man replied with a soft smile. Yusuke errupted into a fit of laughter, leaning against the wall for support. "I'm afraid I fail to see what you find so amusing."
"Magic? Tch." Hiei walked over to the group, deciding to be somewhat social. "You expect us to believe such childish fairy tales?"
"If I expected you to believe fairy tales, I do believe I would be in St. Mungo's at the moment and not conversing with such intelligent young men." Hiei blinked, somewhat taken aback by this man's passive behavior. Usually he had no problem intimidating anyone.
"Albus, good to see you." Koenma had returned to the room, now in his adult form and soon shaking the old man's hand. "It's been a long time."
"Yes, Koenma, I'm afraid I had hoped it to be much longer until our next meeting," Albus replied, his tone grave. "But such dark times call for dark measures."
"That they do," Koenma replied with a nod. "Well, then. Yusuke, this is Albus Dumbledore; he works at a facility for witches and wizards." He paused to allow Yusuke to laugh. "Where you will be staying for the next nine months." Yusuke's laughter died almost instantly as he stared at Koenma with a suspicious look.
"That sounds an awful lot like school, midget," he growled. Koenma sighed, resisting the urge to run an exasperated hand over his face.
"That's because it is, Yusuke."
"No." Koenma blinked.
"No what?"
"I'm not going."
"You don't have a choice." Yusuke twitched, eyes searching Koenma's face and then the room for any excuse to leave and be done with it all before it even began. This misison did not sound like fun. School never sounded fun. Bleh.
"Fine. But I won't like it."
"Oh, I think you'll find your job quite enjoyable," Dumbledore interrupted, the smile on his face growing some. "You won't be attending my school as students, I'm afraid. Hogwarts simply needs to... beef of security, so to speak."
"I'm confused," Kuwabara stated, scratching his head. "Wizards? Witches?"
"Aside from the three worlds there is a world within a world," Koenma explained, looking pleased with himself. "In other words, within the living world there exists a wizarding world, hidden by their own laws and government from the common muggle folk. There are wizards here in Japan, though not near as many as those occupying the greater part of Europe."
"And this involves us how, exactly?" Yusuke asked, looking as confused as Kuwabara. All four, excluding Hiei, were also showing signs of interest which, as far as Koenma was concerned, was a good thing.
"Due to wizard attacks on the Quidditch World Cup several days ago," the young prince continued, "Dumbledore has been concerned for the castle's security and the safety of his students. I volunteered you lot to go undercover and protect the school. Hogwarts is bound to be a large target due to the... festivities planned for this year."
"It would be quite the honor to house all four of you and the least we could do, considering a good part of the wizarding community will now be in your debt," Dumbledore finished, his smile replaced by a grim look.
"If we aren't going to pose as students, then what, may I ask, are we posing as?" Kurama spoke for the first time since they had arrived, a curious look on his face.
"Music is just as popular in the wizarding world as it is with muggles," Dumbeldore replied. "You will masquerade as the band called the 'Weird Sisters' and will perform at the Yule Ball to be held this term."
"I can't play an instrument." Kuwabara shook his head.
"Neither can I," Yusuke added dryly, rubbing the back of his head. "Taking band at school never really crossed my mind."
"You won't need to know," Dumbledore answered. "You will be charmed to play the instruments. However, we will need one of you to sing."
"Hn." Hiei obviously wasn't up for the job.
"I'm afraid I'm not... suitable, for such a task." Kurama wasn't exactly willing either.
"I don't think you want me to try," Kuwabara said honestly.
"No." Yusuke's eyes narrowed as he glared between the wizard and the prince. "I am not singing."
"But you've done it before," Kurama objected, training his green eyes on Yusuke. "I distinctly remember karaoke at Keiko's birthday-"
"That was a dare," Yusuke hissed, clamping his hand over Kurama's mouth, his cheeks slightly flushed. "And it was Keiko's birthday, give me a break..." He removed his hand, staring at the floor, seeming to be embarrassed for once in his life.
"You seem to be our only candidate, Yusuke," Koenma said, hardly bothering to hide his utter amusement.
"Great," Yusuke grumbled. "A guy saves the world and now he has to sing. Life is dandy."
"Now that that has been settled, we will need to make a few arrangements prior to your arrival," Dumbledore said, seemingly unaware of Yusuke's sudden sour mood. "Koenma has assured me you will have no problem taking leave from your day to day lives for this task. It would be well of you to note that your departure date is scheduled for August 25th."
"How are we gonna get there, anyway?" Kuwabara asked, scratching the back of his head. "I mean, taking the bus or something would take too long."
"You will arrive in London by plane, our escorts will pick you up there and you will then travel by floo to Hogwarts," Dumbledore replied. "Things will be made more clear once they happen, I promise you that. Now, then; your payment has been settled and I beleive Koenma knows where to locate your new instruments. We look forward to having you at Hogwarts."
"Wait, you're leaving already?" Yusuke interrupted. "Some introduction."
"There will be more time for small talk later, Mr. Urameshi." Dumbledore smiled. "I'm afraid I have urgent business to attend to concerning wizarding affairs you would only be bored to know about. The Ministry wants to meddle only all too much in our school's private affairs."
"Good seeing you," Koenma said, shaking Dumbledore's hand. The wizard winked at the boys before disappearing with a crack once his hand left Koenma's. "That man never ceases to amaze me."
"He was quite interesting," Kurama agreed, turning his attention away from the empty spot where Dumbledore had stood to fix his eyes on Koenma. "He did say something about instruments..."
"Oh yeah!" Koenma hurried to yet another side room, beckoning the others after him. Yusuke and Kuwabara exchanged looks before glancing at Kurama whom shrugged and quickly followed behind Koenma, the others trailing behind him. "This one's for you, Kurama." As they stepped into the room, Koenma opened a long box and pulled out a crimson guitar, handing it to the spirit fox.
"This is..." Kurama cut himself off, unsure of what to say. He was intelligent, though he had never been inclined toward the arts of any kind; the proper way to hold the instrument was beyond his grasp.
"Hiei, that black one's for you," Koenma continued, pointing at another long box which, when opened, revealed another guitar similar to Kurama's. "And the drum set in the corner is for Kuwabara. Yusuke, you won't be needed anything but a microphone because you'll be singing. I'm just happy I won't be there." The former toddler snickered, even after the look Yusuke sent him.
"I'm still not quite I sure I understand how this works," Kurama began, struggling with the guitar in his hands.
"Hn. I have no use for such human things," Hiei sneered, a look of disgust on his face as he glared down at the guitar in the box.
"Just like Yusuke, you don't have a choice Hiei," Koenma said sternly. "You've already accepted our deal."
"What'd you promise ol' short stuff anyway?" Kuwabara asked, tapping the drum set.
"That is none of your concern, idiot," Hiei snapped.
"Now that you have your instruments," Koenma interrupted, looking a bit grumpy now that everyone had started arguing, "There's only a few things left to do. First you'll all acquire accents and then it's off to London!"
"But we aren't leaving until the twenty-fifth!" Yusuke protested, waving his arms to exaggerate his point.
"Yusuke, that would be tomorrow," Kurama sighed. "This is such short notice, Koenma, surely there's another way? My mother..."
"Tell her you're going to some foreign school or something," Yusuke interrupted. "I mean, you're smart enough as it is, it's not like you won't graduate if you skip a year or something."
"We can get you credit for this, Kurama," Koenma added. "It's not usually something we normally do, but if it'll get you to cooperate..." Kurama sighed.
"I'll see what I can do."
"That's the spirit," Koenma said, quickly exiting the room. "I'll get you your accents and you'll be ready to go in no time."
"Er... How are you going to get us our accents? I mean, you don't just get accents."
"Have some patience, Yusuke, I'll explain in a minute." The group exited the room, Kuwabara, Kurama and albeit reluctantly Hiei carrying their new instruments with them. Koenma opened a drawer in his desk, removing what looked like three lemon drops. "Eat these and you'll have a British accent for a good year at least. Dumbledore told me the spell in them were strong."
"More magic poppycock," Hiei growled as Kurama, Kuwabara and Yusuke grabbed up the candy. Yusuke eyed his with a curious look before popping it into his mouth.
"Yusuke, I'd advise you not eat that until you've made arrangements with your family," Kurama suggested, his expression exasperated. "What will Keiko think if you start talking with a British accent?"
"Keiko should know by now that I do weird stuff," Yusuke replied with a shrug after swallowing the lemon drop. He blinked, a slow grin spreading over his face. "I have a British accent!" Kurama sighed while Kuwabara shook his head. Hiei glared at the wall, resisting the urge to chop off the former detective's head. "Bloke, bloke, bloke, bloke!"
"Here we go again," Kurama muttered, staring down at his guitar. "Here we go again..."