AN: Thanks for everyone sticking with me! It's been a crazy year, my friends!

Disclaimer: I do not own the story line or characters from the Inuyasha or Harry Potter series. They belong to their owners Rumiko Takahashi and JK Rowling.

Chapter 25

The group of high school students stared at the duo as Harry half carried Kagome back to the table. When she started slipping from his grasp as she fell deeper into her slumber, he quickly hoisted her back into a more comfortable position and tightened his grip on her waist. He didn't miss the quick disgruntled look thrown his way by Hojo or the discreet thumbs up by Ayumi under the table.

"Is she okay?" Yuka asked standing up, worried for her close friend. Harry didn't blame her for her concern. Kagome was looking pretty expired in his arms. "Did that blonde guy drug her?"

"... No Shippou…. you've had enough pocky…" Kagome's soft, sleepy voice brought the group's attention to herself.

"She's alright," Harry finally answered. "She mentioned that the antibiotics she is taking makes her drowsy."

"I didn't realize she was still sick." Hojo commented. "Perhaps we should help her home."

"Or, we could all go to a movie until her medicine wears off?" Harry suggested. If they all decided to take her home they would see that she wasn't living in an apartment complex near the Sunset Shrine like she claimed before. Not to mention the fact that he would then be left alone with this group of muggles that he hardly knew. "I'm sure she'll be feeling fresh as the dickens in no time."

The group quirked a brow at his strange expression, but agreed to locate the closest theatre. As the stood from the booth, Hojo tried to assist Harry by taking her other arm, but Kagome quickly pulled away from him. "Wizard protectors only…" she murmured into his shirt. "My dad wants him to protect me from the Death Eaters…"

Eri was the first one to burst into laughter at Kagome's words, quickly followed by the rest of the group. "Those most be some good drugs she's on!"

"I wish I could have dreams like that!" Yuka added in nearly doubled over in laughter. "Wizard! She is absolutely adorable."

"Yeah… adorable…" Harry mocked under his breath. Thankfully muggles knew nothing about the magical world or else he may have been in a bit more trouble. He'd have to remember that his little priestess gets a tad bit loopy when she expends too much of her powers.

Bending down he'd managed to maneuver her onto his back, making it easier for him to transport her around town. Following behind his new group of comrades, they trekked over to the closest movie theatre where they quickly chose some popular superhero movie that Harry had never heard of. Truthfully he couldn't recall the last time he saw a film. Movies weren't exactly big in the Wizarding World, and the Dursleys never allowed him to join the family in the living room for any flick that happened to come on the telly.

Gingerly he placed Kagome in the seat to his right and pulled up the armrest that separated the two of them. At first she sat up, head leaning against the red cushioned chair as she peacefully slumbered. He observed her undisturbed form: long eyelashes rested lightly on the tops of her cheeks, lips slightly parted as she breathed softly and rhythmically. Harry couldn't recall a time she looked more serene than at this moment.

The day certainly hadn't gone the way he expected it to. After the wakeup call from Ginny, running into Draco Malfoy, and Kagome managing to purify the Dark Mark off of the former Death Eater's arm, Harry himself was feeling pretty tired. And all he did was watch everything take place! Closing his eyes he let out an exhausted sigh and leaned against his own chair.

The lack of sleep from last night was definitely catching up with him. Maybe he would follow in his little priestess's steps and take a nap while the film was playing. He'd experienced enough heroics to last a lifetime, he didn't need to see anymore on the big screen. Slowly, the the amiable chatter of the rest of the group started to fade, and Harry felt his hold on consciousness slip.

However, a sudden jolt of his person quickly brought him back to reality. Cracking an eye he glanced at Kagome, who now occupied his lap. She had managed to completely readjust her position by laying down across the theatre seats, using his thighs as a pillow. Thank goodness the theatre was so dark or else everyone would be able to see his awkward (yet quite enjoyable) predicament. With a soft smile, he draped his arm over her side as she slept and decided to follow her example.

It wasn't until the movie was wrapping up that he felt her stir. First she stretched out, arching her back and letting out a big yawn. When her eyes finally opened, she immediately froze and quickly took in her surroundings. Harry leaned down and whispered in her ear, "Good morning, Sleeping Beauty. Feeling better?"

She moved faster than the golden snitch. In the blink of an eye she had sat up and quietly exclaimed, "Bathroom!" before hurrying out of the theatre as quickly as possible. Her friends all turned to look at Harry curiously, but he merely shrugged and stood up to follow after her.

"I'll meet you all outside," he mouthed to Ayumi and the girls who nodded in understanding. Hojo frowned and turned to look back at the screen as the heroes finished saving the world.

Harry quickly located the washroom after exiting their specific cinema and leaned against the wall directly outside the women's rest room. It wasn't but a moment later that she stopped in her tracks as she spotted him once she exited the public bathroom. A blush quickly crept its way up to her cheeks. Slowly she stepped over and fell into place against the wall next to him, avoiding eye contact. "You didn't have to follow me to the bathroom, you know," she murmured.

He shrugged and shoved his hands in his pockets. "You never answered my question. Besides the movie is just about over."

"I'm feeling a lot better, thank you." She closed her eyes and let out a sigh. "I used a lot of energy getting rid of that weird tattoo. It was difficult because it was imprinted on his skin as well as intertwined with his very being. It was a tricky piece to erase, but I knew I could do it."

"What you did was amazing," he complimented while continuing to watch her. "The Dark Mark was used by Voldemort to brand his followers. It was also used as a summoning tool should he want to see any of them."

She nodded in understanding, and paused. She wanted to ask a question, he could see it on her face, but she was struggling internally. "Did my father have one of those tattoos?" she questioned hesitantly.

It was a hard question to answer. He wanted to tell her no, but he knew that he had to be completely honest with her. She deserved that much after the life she's led thus far, as well as after divulging all of her own secrets to Ron, Hermione, and him the previous night. "Yes," Harry supplied. "But his heart was never with the dark wizards."

Kagome took a deep breath and digested the information Harry had disclosed. She remained calm, not jumping to any conclusions based on his words. For that he was thankful. Harry had lived almost his whole life jumping to conclusions with Severus Snape. A mistake he thought about and regretted almost every single day. All that hate wasted on a man that never once deserved it…

He shook his head to clear his thoughts. Now wasn't the time. He couldn't go back and change the past, but he could make it up to Snape in the future: by protecting the late professor's daughter. Truthfully, Harry didn't want to protect her because he was hired to. He whole-heartedly wanted to.

"I think it's time I learned a little bit more about my protectors," Kagome commented glancing at the boy-who-lived.

"I think you might be correct," Harry responded. "It will be a long story though. Even longer than yours."

"I look forward to it then," she said.

Their conversation didn't have the opportunity to go much further, for the rest of their companions for the day started to exit the theatre. Kagome raised a hand to sheepishly to wave them over. Eri reached the duo first and grabbed her friend's hands. "Kagome! How are you feeling? Better?"

"I am, thank you," Kagome smiled at her and squeezed her hands. "I appreciate all of you being so understanding of my health."

"Of course Higurashi-san," Hojo interjected. "You're our friend. We will always understand."

She sent them a genuine, appreciative smile. One of those events that were truly a rarity with the priestess at the moment. A part of him was a little envious that her smile wasn't directed toward him. But that would all come in due time.

"So," Ayumi started teasingly. "Did your wizard protector save you from those Death Eaters?"

Kagome stiffened, unsure of how to answer. Her eyes widened and she immediately turned toward said wizard protector absolutely confused and let out a nervous laugh. "What are you talking about?"

"Oh we're just teasing you!" Yuka exclaimed with a giggle. "You were talking in your sleep. Do you remember your dream at all?"

"No," Kagome quickly replied. "But I wish I did. Sounds like it was a good one. I sure hope it had a happy ending."

The girls let out another giggle before taking off out of the theatre toward the public streets, Hojo hot on their heels. Harry ran his hand through his hair and muttered. "Me too."

The rest of the day was really a blur for Harry. He trailed along the group of high schoolers as they chattered amiably, watching them from a short distance. A few pit stops were added along the way back to the train station, including a takoyaki stand (which he thoroughly enjoyed), a book shop filled with graphic novels, and a small gift shop with interesting muggle trinkets. Thankfully, the actual train ride back home wasn't as eventful as the one to Shibuya.

"Well guys," Harry started as they exited the station. "It's been fun. Thanks for the invite."

"Are you going home Harry-kun?" Ayumi asked with a pout. "The sun's just now setting, I'm sure we can find something else to do."

"I've actually got some errands I need to run before going home, including hitting up the grocery store for my sister. You know pregnancy cravings," Harry spared a quick glance to Kagome as he spoke. It'd be nice if she picked up on the subtle hint of trying to escape spending anymore time with their classmates. Not that he didn't enjoy their presence or anything. But he really needed to get back to his friends to let them know about running into Draco.

"Shall I walk you home, Higurashi-san?" Hojo offered gentlemanly, even offering an arm to her.

"I appreciate the offer," Kagome said with an awkward smile. "But I actually need to run a few errands myself before heading back home. I need to pick up some supplies for next week's bentos."

"So then I suppose you'll be heading to the store with Potter-san, then?" Hojo asked disheartened.

Eri, Yuka, and Ayumi blushed and squealed with girlish glee. Harry couldn't help but feel a little bit victorious at the situation. "Don't worry. I'll make sure Sleeping Beauty makes it home safe and sound."

To avoid noticeable embarrassment, Kagome started walking away first waving at her friends as she went. Harry followed behind, leaving the group of high schoolers at the station. He waited a few moments before stepping in line with the young woman under his protection. A light pink dusted her cheeks, and she petulantly turned away from him.

They walked in comfortable silence back to the safe house, where he knew Hermione would be eagerly awaiting their return. He didn't need to push her buttons anymore today, and he was certain that she would be asking questions about her father and his involvement in the Second Wizarding War. Ultimately it was inevitable.

As expected, the brightest witch of their age (along with her doting husband who munched on a bag of chips) was waiting at the dining room table, and quickly jumped up when she heard the door open. "Welcome back!" She greeted. "How was your day?"

"Long," Kagome responded first sounding exhausted. "I'm going to take a shower."

Harry waited until he heard the lock click on the bathroom before joining the pair at the table. "Is she alright?" Hermione asked, full of maternal concern.

"We've just had an interesting day. You'll never guess who we ran into today, and who actually knows our little priestess," Harry said. "Draco Malfoy."

Ron nearly choked on his snack. "What? What was that git doing here?"

"Not surprisingly, he and the rest of the Malfoy family are trying to stay out of the public eye for a while. But he had no idea about Kagome being Snape's daughter, and it doesn't appear as if he knows anything about the jewel."

"That seems highly unlikely," Hermione mumbled under her breath. And honestly, Harry didn't blame her. He was in the same boat earlier this morning.

"It gets better," Harry continued. "Kagome could sense his Dark Mark, then she proceeded to completely purify it off his body. I don't think I've ever seen Draco look happier."

"Even after stomping on your face in sixth year?" Ron snidely asked.

Hermione rolled her eyes. "We talked about you holding a grudge, Ron. Draco was forced into the war by his father and you know that. Don't forget that if it wasn't for Narcissa, Harry wouldn't even be alive right now." Ron chose not to answer, and instead loudly crunched on another chip.

"I wish you guys could have seen it," Harry commented impressed. "The Dark Mark was completely gone. I'm sure there are a lot of Death Eaters out there that would like to employ her services right now."

Hermione wrinkled her brow in thought. "I wish I knew exactly how her powers worked. Especially with her not being a witch. Are we sure it's not possible for her to learn spells at all?"

"Shippou seems to think not. But I'm not entirely sure how much she actually knows about the wizarding world as a whole. She knew that magic wouldn't harm her," Harry pondered out loud. "Kagome wants to learn about her father and our time at school."

"Do you think that's a good idea?" Ron queried. "I mean, we've only known her a bit over a week."

"It's only fair. She divulged her past to us. Besides, we are supposed to be protecting her," Hermione pointed out. "She should feel as though she can trust us."

Harry nodded in agreement. He would start telling her everything… about Voldemort, Snape, his own life, and all the crazy adventures the Golden Trio had experienced.

Ron snorted and crumpled up the now empty bag. "Well, when you tell her about our time at Hogwarts, try to leave out the part where I'm terrified of spiders, would ya?"

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AN: Thanks for reading this installment. It's gonna get crazy soon!