Chapter 3

Back to School

"I'd also like to introduce our new Defense against the Dark Arts professor, Alastor Moody." The large man sitting at the end of the professor table gave a curt nod and wave to the students who filled the great hall. Ichigo clapped with the rest of the students. It was the first day of the fall semester, and they had just sorted the new students into their houses. Ichigo was currently seated between Dumbledore and Snape. Although only teachers were allowed at the table, Dumbledore thought that Ichigo -- being the founder of the wizarding world and all -- should have a seat next to him.

"Also, I've made the decision to hire a peacekeeper at Hogwarts to deal with the rising tensions between the houses. Please welcome Ichigo Kurosaki." Ichigo stood for a moment, nodded, and sat back down. The students had been too concerned with their new teacher with a strange eye to pay Ichigo any mind. The reaper wasn't sure how to feel about the concept. He supposed it was better than them questioning him and the like. His eyes migrated to the Gryffindor table as he honed in on the chosen child. He was talking with his friend, Weasley, and was staring at Mad-Eye. Their other friend, Hermione, however, was staring at Ichigo. Perhaps staring was too strong of a word, eyeing, would fit more.

Dumbledore explained about the goblet of fire and how it was being held at Hogwarts that year. He explained the rules and about the schools coming to visit. The new staff was quickly forgotten as students began to anxiously chat about the event. Once the food appeared, they stuffed themselves and talked about their summers. Ichigo picked at his food, sitting in silence. Dumbledore was talking with Minerva, and Snape wasn't speaking at all, so he was left. When he heard someone yell-whisper his name, he looked down the table and saw Hagrid motioning him to come over.

The wizard stood up and slide to the other side of Dumbledore. There was an empty seat next to Hagrid at the end of the table. It was supposed to be Mad-Eye's, but he had conjured his own chair and was sitting off to the side. Ichigo eyed the man sitting down. He could sense that the man sitting there was not the true Alastor Moody. At least, not the one who was present when he was reawakened. This Mad-Eye was much darker. Ichigo knew that he would have to keep his identity to himself, then, since this Moody didn't know about him.

Ichigo also knew that he would have to keep the switch of wizards to himself as well. Being who he was, and with his capabilities, he could not interfere with anything. The only thing he could do was protect Harry physically, not alert him to lurking tables. Ichigo would not use magic in anyway during this fight. Ichigo could not pick sides, not with his influence. Voldemort had lackies that protected him physically, so Ichigo had no reservations about that, but everything else up to Harry.

His katana -- zanpakuto -- had lost its luster over the years. It had manifested in his gigai, and was now accessible to him in that way. It was also permanently fixed in its bankai state, unable to switch back to shikai no matter how much Ichigo had tried. He could no longer perform the larger abilities, such as getsuga tenshou, or call on his mask, but still had largely increased speed when fighting and could use flash step. Zangestu himself had stayed with him, since their souls were intertwined, but his hollow had become weaker and weaker. He could still speak with Zangestu, but there was nothing to really speak of anymore. His Hollow was difficult to communicate with, probably because there was no other hollow in this world to gain strength from, but he was still there, just barely.

Ichigo's inner world had also taken on a new form. Not only was it for his little soul reaper abilities, but his wizarding abilities as well. It now looked like a reading room, with a fireplace and armchairs, as well as infinitely tall bookshelves lining the walls. Floating around the room was white spheres, all of them connected in different ways and were different sizes. They represented all those with magic, all of those he was connected with. It was where he spent his sealment, but he had no choice about what he saw or experienced. He would often find Zangestu in there, reading or exercising.

His hollow was sickly in his innerworld. He was thin and frail, and always tired. He was always either sleeping for resting. This was why it was so hard to speak to him without entering his inner world. Both his hollow and Zangestu were still sleeping from where he was sealed, and would not awaken for a while yet. Ichigo would welcome speaking with them after 900 years. They were the only thing that proved his last life had happened, and that he wasn't crazy. They were also the only ones who know about his true self and what he really is, and the only true friends he has left.

Ichigo sat down in the empty seat next to -- who he could tell would be -- his new companion. Hagrid voiced his surprise at Ichigo being placed at the professor's table because when Hagrid was just the keeper of keys, he wasn't allowed to sit at the table. Ichigo could sense the hurt in his voice, but decided not to comment on it. "Yeah, I'm not too sure. Never focused on that, you know? So... what do you teach?"

"Oh, I haven't said yet? I'm ta' Care of Magical Creatures professor."

"Do you like them?"

"Oh I love 'em. They're just misunderstood, most of 'em are."

"I see, do you have a favorite?" Ichigo inquired.

Hagrid replied hastily, "Dragons."

"Wow, that was awfully quick."

"I almost had my own," he revealed. "But I sent it to Romania to be safe. Harry said that I couldn't take care of a dragon here, and he was right. It was a beaut, it was. I miss him real bad."

Ichigo gazed at the half-giant. "Oh, I'm sorry to hear that. I wish I hadn't asked."

Hagrid cleared his throat. "No, it's alright. No reason to dwell on it. I'll find another and raise it myself one day."

Ichigo applauded the man for his optimism. Although he wasn't the brightest pick of the bunch, he was well-intentioned, and that was good enough for Ichigo. They continued to talk about magical creatures, the different kinds. Ichigo let Hagrid talk the most as he just listened. He could tell that the man knew his stuff, and he belonged as a professor at the table, Ichigo just wondered why it had taken so long. The students followed their prefects out of the great hall and towards their common rooms. Ichigo was about to leave himself, but he was greeted by the staff he hadn't met yet. Mad-Eye introduced himself, even proving further that it wasn't the one he had met before.

Ichigo just smiled and nodded. He quickly left the hall in favor of catching up with the Gryffindor students, just to get a view of them. He caught up to them just after they went up a moving staircase. Ichigo backed up a step and lept onto the staircase, catching it just in time. He followed them up another set of stairs. He silently fell behind the students, listening to their questions and excitement. The prefect answered all of their questions perfectly, even adding some of his own information in there as well.

He waited until the students entered the common room to pull the prefect aside. "Hey, you did a great job with those students."

"Oh, thanks Mister..."

"Just Ichigo, is fine. I just want to let you know that my chambers are on the way from here to the Slytherin common room, so if you ever need me or a professor, just come get me."

The student looked at him, puzzled. "But, Ichigo, you're not a professor."

Ichigo smiled. "I am in everything but name. Just make sure you tell your students where my chambers are in case they should need me." The prefect nodded and entered the common room with the rest of the students. The portrait of the fat lady closed behind him. He nodded to her and turned to retire to his chambers for the night. Tomorrow the actual first day of classes began, and Ichigo couldn't be more excited.

oooOOOoooOOOooo

Despite having been sealed for nine centuries, Ichigo still loved and craved sleep. It had always been that way since he was a young boy. Perhaps he needed it to keep his endless power supply in check, or maybe because he was just lazy, he couldn't say for sure. But what he did know, was that when he had to get up early for the first day of classes, he absolutely hated it. Ichigo had absolutely no idea how he could possibly do this for the rest of the year, but he hoped that he'd get use to it.

It had become quite apparent to the other residents of Hogwarts that Ichigo was not a morning person, for he was nothing more than a shell of a man (pun intended) who would nearly growl at anyone who tried to speak with him. His entire body reeked of fatigue and sourness. Not even Dumbledore tried to converse with the man, but that didn't stop Hagrid. Oh no, the half-giant eagerly greeted the man at breakfast that morning. Students were not required to be at breakfast -- although most were -- but professors were. This was in case a student needed to speak with them before school started, since trying to find anyone outside of class was nearly impossible.

Ichigo forced out a greeting and sat down at the professors table. As breakfast went on Ichigo became less and less miserable. As breakfast neared its end, it was almost impossible to recognize Ichigo as the man who had come in earlier since he had finally properly awakened and was back to his normal self.

"I must say Lo-- ahem, Mr. Kurosaki, that I never pictured you as a, well... a not morning person. You just seem so collected and well, you know."

Ichigo look towards Dumbledore. "Yes, headmaster. I've never quite understood it myself. When I was a younger man, which was a long, long time ago, one of my mentors told me it was because I use so much energy, but I highly doubt that. I think it's just a teenager habit that I haven't been able to break." he replied.

Dumbledore's eyes twinkled. "There's nothing wrong with sleeping." he explained. "It's how you rest your body and mind. But not only that, it's where you dream. Yes, there are nightmares, but they are just there to remind us how important the dreams are... Don't you think?"

"Yes, headmaster, I couldn't agree more." Ichigo said as he took a sip of his tea. It was very calming, and although not as strong as coffee, it picked him right up. It just green tea with some honey, but it was just right for the wizard. Perhaps he could convince Dobby to put in a word in the kitchens to bring him a batch every morning so he could drink it throughout the day. He could make some of his own with magic, but it would never be as good as the real thing, no matter how hard he tried.

Ichigo had been given an official schedule, but Dumbledore made sure to express to Ichigo that he was in no way required to do anything they asked. Ichigo found it amusing how Dumbledore tried to make themselves look as unthreatening as possible. He was like an animal with its tail between its legs. Ichigo had tried several times to get Dumbledore to treat him as any other wizard, but Ichigo understood how silly the request was. He still tried, though. The only person who actually knew who he was and hadn't treated him differently was Merlin. That was one of the reasons he had chosen him to be his one and only apprentice. In fact, the wizard had reminded Ichigo of a more subdued Kisuke, if that was really possible.

Ichigo's first class was to watch over the joined hufflepuff-gryffindor herbology class, but Ichigo was never good with plants, so he decided to skip that one, instead spending his time reading in his room. The first actually class he would go to was the joint gryffindor-slytherin care of magical creature class. Partly because of the two houses involved, but also because he wanted to see how Hagrid taught his class. He made his way to Hagrid's hut, which was next to the Forbidden Forest. Ichigo had heard from other staff members that last year's joint gryffindor-slytherin class with Hagrid had been extremely eventful. Ichigo couldn't tell if he wanted it to be the same this year.

Being as old as Ichigo was -- which was very, very old -- things quickly bored him. The mundane became tedious and the boring became unbearable. Although Ichigo had significantly grown and matured from his naive teenage self, there was only so much of the same thing every year that he could take. That's one of the reasons he was in love with the wizarding that he had created, it was ever changing, ever unique. Now that Ichigo was out of his confinement, he was no longer all-knowing, and he was thrilled by the fact that he had no idea how things would pan out. There was constantly new wizards, new spells, new stories, and it was enthralling.

Hagrid taught the class about Bast-Ended Skrewts. They were lobster-like creatures that bite, sting, and propel themselves by blasting from one end to another. Hagrid tries to explain the differences between the males and females, but the students are having a hard enough time just finding their mouths. Some of them even question why they're alive, something that Ichigo tried his best to keep from reaching Hagrid, knowing that it would break the man's heart. Most of the students paid him no mind. Some of them were wary of him, like one Hermione Granger, but after a while, even she grew used to his presence.

Ichigo could hear one Draco Malfoy complaining in the swarm of students. Ichigo can tell that Harry is trying to feign interest, but is failing quite miserably. Overall, Ichigo labels the first magical creatures class unsuccessful, but Hagrid disagrees. He thinks it goes very well and even talks to Ichigo about his plans for the next lesson. Ichigo is just happy that the man is happy. If Ichigo were to ever teach, it would have to be in groups of smaller than 10. Ichigo was a very intimate person, and he would teach the same way, nearly one on one with students. Perhaps that was another reason he had only taken on one apprentice.

Ichigo didn't have any other classes scheduled until after dinner. He was on his way to said dinner when he caught sight of Harry, Ron, and Draco arguing. Having a title to upkeep, he quickly walks over to see what's going on. He catches mention of both Ron and Draco's parents, and sees Draco pull out his wand on an unaware Harry. Ichigo catches Mad-Eye moving towards Draco with his wand out as well, most likely about to do something he shouldn't. Ichigo pulls out his own wand and blocks Mad-Eye's spell before it can reach Draco, and disarms both Draco and Moody before they can cast any spells. This catches the attention of everyone in the room instantly, including Harry, Ron, and Hermione.

"Mr. Malfoy, I implore you to never attack a man with his back turned. Not only is it undignified as a wizard with your standing, but cowardly as well. I suggest you take this lesson as is and you head it well. The last thing you want is trouble from me, Mr. Malfoy." Ichigo warned the boy in front of the other students. The poor boy looked downright terrified, literally shaking where he stood. Ichigo turned towards the Defense Against the Dark Arts professor. "Professor Moody, I'd like to speak to you in private, if you wouldn't mind."

"I'm not scared of you... you filthy guard dog! My father will hear of your treatment towards me, and you'll regret what you've done."

Ichigo rolled his eyes. "Yes, I'm well aware Mr. Malfoy. Please, I would love to have a chat with your father. Now all of you, get to dinner before I lose my temper." The students quickly scattered, leaving Ichigo alone with Mad-Eye.

"You're overstepping your boundaries, boy." Mad-Eye said once they were alone. "You have no place disarming a professor, especially one who was about to deliver a punishment."

"I have no idea what your idea of a 'punishment' entails, professor, and I don't care to know. You're the one who does not know your place. Professors never raise their wand to a student unless to disarm, and I highly doubt that expelliarmus was your spell of choice. My job at this school is to protect the students, both from each other and from wayward professors. If you have any qualms about this, then you are more than welcome to take it up with Dumbledore." Ichigo took a breath to calm down. "Now, if you'll excuse me, I'm rather hungry and wish to eat before all of the food is gone." Ichigo left the professor in favor of the great hall, where he was, in fact, no longer hungry at all. He stomped towards the table and sat down, not bothering to eat. Dumbledore had asked what was wrong, but he told him nothing worth bothering himself over.

Hermione looked at the unusual man sitting at the professor's table. At first she had paid him no mind, actually agreeing with the idea of having someone to keep the silly rivalry between houses under wraps. Now, however, she wasn't quite so sure.

"Hermione, I'm glad you're eating again and all, but why are you staring at the professor's table?" Ron asked.

"It's nothing, don't worry about it." She replied.

Harry's attention had now been pulled from his dinner. "It's not 'nothing' Hermione. What's bothering you?"

"It's just," the young wizard glanced at the professor's table. "Mr. Kurosaki seems to be hiding something. It's nothing sinister or evil, but something important."

"What makes you say that?" Harry asked.

"Well, normally one takes a job as a peacekeeper or bodyguard because they don't have a lot of intellect or magical ability, but Mr. Kurosaki seems to be more competent than most of the teachers. I've been keeping an eye on him both today and yesterday, and he's very quiet, and he seems to notice things that most don't. His eyes are always observing and calculating and it's... unnerving to say the least."

Ron thought for a moment."Now that you mention, I actually haven't paid him much attention. He just kind of... blends in, like he belongs here. I'm just glad that he's on our side. I mean, did you see the way he stood up for Harry?"

Hermione nodded in agreement and returned to her food. Ichigo would be the least of their problems this year, she felt.