The sparrow & the fox

~.* Kaito POV *.~

If there was one thing Kaito Kuroba hoped he would never ever do, it was attending Shinichi Kudō's funeral... which had been today. Actually, it was even still going on at this moment.

So, to say that he was in a bad mood was an understatement. A big one. Even Jii had preferred to avoid him for well over a week now. But it was better this way. This was something he had to do alone anyway.

At least, the weather did agree with his dark mood today. But not only had it been raining buckets - the funeral had been swarming with Aurors, on lookers, reporters, Kudō's friends, their old headmaster, the minister and even his parents too, of course. That was exactly why he couldn't stay very long though. The funeral gave him the unique opportunity to finally break into Kudō's office in the ministry, while it was practically deserted for at least an hour.

The person he impersonated to enter was a young no-name Auror who only started training this year. The uninterested fellow had been stationed on a post, not very far from the ministry itself, where Kaito had found him reading manga, bored out of his mind and he had put the miserable guy to sleep in seconds.

If someone would have asked him why he did that, the answer was quite simple. If one thing was unacceptable for Kaito, it was that Shinichi Kudō was believed to be dead.

Yes, even if it had been two damn weeks now since he'd been seen last and even if he'd seemingly dropped off the face of the earth...

No. Kaito knew him better. He just... knew. And he simply wouldn't accept how the world moved on, when something was just not right. Even if that meant Kaito had to act and think a bit like a detective, instead of a thief for once. He smirked to himself about that thought. He wondered what his Meitantei would have said about that...

However, information gathering was something he did for a living, so that part wasn't difficult for him. Impersonating someone wasn't either. The trick was, that the magical world was still not prepared for someone who had learned to disguise himself or herself perfectly without a potion or spell, as a muggle actor would do for example.

That included magical creatures, like house elves, which guarded the ministry like a watchdog... At least, for a minute though, the elf had been distracted by it, which had been enough for Kaito to put him to sleep. He moved quickly after that and used one of the portkeys to enter the ministry building like the simple Auror he now was. On to part two of his plan; finding clues as to what happened to Shinichi Kudō and where he was now.

Kaito already knew that something must have happened at the museum. After all, the break-in had been covered in the newspapers vastly. And even though it was hard to accept that the shadows seemingly had won this time and the two treasures had fallen into their hands... At least, people finally seemed to understand the danger the shadows presented and even the Swift feather had picked up on it again, titling their latest headlines dark and dooming; 'They are back'.

Kaito was also thankful that none other than Hattori Heiji had been asked by the Minister to step up to the job meanwhile, now that Kudō was officially missing. He knew Heiji had a bright mind and the right mindset to handle the danger and above all, he would hardly give up so quickly, after all, Kudō was still his best friend. However, things still moved too slowly for Kaito's taste and two weeks were now enough time.

Which was why the thief had decided to take matters into his own hands this time... 

It wasn't long before he had found the office and broken the magical lock he was standing in front. He scoffed. Hattori had left it obviously in a hurry the last time he had been here, sealing the room off afterwards only sloppily. Kaito's smirk turned into a wide grin. Well, at this point, this almost felt like child's play...

As soon as he had entered, he magically locked the office behind him again. He wanted to avoid being disturbed. Now began the real work... the harder part. Finding clues.

Come on Kaito, what would Kudō do... Think like a detective, he tried to spur himself on.

As soon as he really took in the room, it was, as if Shinichi's aura enveloped him though. It even still smelled like him - a mixture of old books and wood, coffee and a hint of patchouli. Kaito took a deep breath. It was fascinating how much the smell still soothed him, even after all these years.

However, it was also something that made the room seem a bit lonely and deserted, as if it was missing its owner. It actually seemed as if Shinichi had just apparated out of the room. His belongings, such as his leather briefcase on the floor or a half-empty coffee mug, was even still on the desk.

Kaito sighed content, suddenly much more at ease again than once in the two weeks before, as he looked around the room and filtered through every little detail he could find, memorizing everything important or unimportant. A smile tugged at his lips, especially as he looked at all the books on the shelves.

"He apparently still loves reading very much...", he mumbled amused and smiled lovingly.

He looked through all the letters in the disregarded air pile in the corner and shook his head about the way Shinichi had put them up. He fished out one of them and almost laughed.

"Masumi's and Mōri's wedding, huh? No wonder you didn't answer that one yet...", Kaito scoffed and put it back up with a swift hand movement.

Then he got to the desk and found the bird he enchanted for his little detective nerd. He took it and twirled it in his hands, a warm feeling overcoming him. The paper looked worn, but still intact.

And it was lying on top of all the other work letters. That fact alone was speaking to him volumes and he felt proud. But then a wave of regret flooded his chest too and he let the bird sink, his face a grim and sad mask.

If only he hadn't sent him that envelope. If only he hadn't wished for another meeting with him. Maybe his favourite Auror wouldn't have gone to investigate the museum and maybe he wouldn't have vanished. But then...

Whom was he kidding? This was Shinichi Kudō... The guy would never not go after a lead. You'd have to physically, magically restrain him and he still would find a way.

When Kaito had seen him again in Paris that day, it had felt like destiny... He smiled to himself at the memory.

All the repressed feelings had come back that day and had hit him like a punch to the gut, but in a good way. He had so badly wanted to touch him. Or simply talk to him. Even if it was just taunting banter or spiteful words. He had wanted himself be seen by this intelligent, pretty blue eyes of his and kiss that self-confident, arrogant smirk right off his lips...

Granted, his lovely favourite critic looked tired and overworked, even from afar. But he guessed that came with this annoying job of his and all the work he so loved to do. Nevertheless, Kaito had to admit, when he observed him longer, the years hadn't exactly hurt him.

More so, he only had to take one look at him and knew why the papers loved to speculate about the headauror's love life so much... Shinichi was very attractive. For a minute there, Kaito even had to look away and calm himself, because images flooded his not so innocent mind, with what exactly he liked to do to him, if he ever would get his hands on him. A chest shire grin was barely contained.

But he couldn't. The reminder sobered him rather quickly then and he balled his fists. He knew what could happen if he came too close to someone, in whatever way...

He had seen it with Ginzo Nakamori. The man had been a somewhat father to him all his teenage life. Kaito even lived with him and Aoko for a while, before he had left his old life behind, years ago.

It had been bittersweet, ironic and amusing to Kaito in the beginning of his career, when it became clear - out of all people possible - Nakamori Ginzo would be the one Auror who was in charge of capturing him. The man was dedicated, he had to give him that. He swore to catch him, even if it was the last thing he did. Kaito hoped it wasn't of course. He always made it a priority that nobody got hurt during his heists. Sometimes it even had been fun to play cat and mouse. Then years had gone by... Time after time, all his findings had been failures. Nobody could blame him, if he maybe, just maybe... had become a little impatient, right?

For a while then, he had been leaving Nakamori-san little clues as to why he did, what he did and tried to clue him into, what he was really after and why. He had just wanted someone to understand him for once. Sure, he would always have his mother and Jii-chan. The years made him still a bit lonely... if Nakamori-san would understand, he would ease up a bit on his heists, maybe even help Kaito...

But he knew Vineyard's doing when he saw it and the message had been loud and clear, to say the least. Kaito just knew it must have been her. As far as he could find out, Nakamori had eaten something toxic. He knew the man didn't like sweets, but that day, he had eaten something like a chocolate praline... the open paper wrapper was even still lying in his office bin.

The attacks and duels on rooftops now and then before, he could handle. Something like that didn't scare Kaito off his quest, that was almost routine now.

But this... hurting Nakamori-san like that... had. At least for a while. What if Aoko was next? He had hurt her enough before. What if she lost her father now because of him too? He knew how that felt... He wouldn't wish that on anyone. How could he have been so selfish and careless?

It had taken him some time after that until he could look at himself in mirrors again. For a day or two, he had shattered everything in his house... because it wasn't him anymore who was grinning back at him like a deranged lunatic; it had been some kind of a bizarre, different kind of Kid.

He knew he shouldn't blame himself, but he did. He was just lucky his mother hadn't been home to witness him cry and break down like that... He wasn't proud of his breakdown.

Luckily enough, Nakamori-san had survived. But it had told Kaito that his old nemesis was still out there, watching him. For a while, he had contemplated with Jii, what his next move should be. Holding another heist so soon after the incident was risky, but Kaito certainly wasn't the type to give up easily. He decided he would take the fight to them. All in or nothing, right?

Then suddenly Shinichi Kudō had appeared out of nowhere, thwarting his careful plans... of course.

Kaito had been in disguise that day, as a simple French Auror, watching Kudō from afar, doing his usual work and giving out clear instructions to catch him, as if he had done nothing else for the past years. He had solved his riddle as if it was entertainment to him, which it probably was.

Kaito had known back then, it was better to keep in the background or the guy would take one look at him and figure him out as if it was nothing... the way it always used to be when they were still kids.

He didn't know why, but Shinichi was the only one, who always did, one way or another. It was like a special sense or something. If he only looked at him long enough from behind, Shinichi would freeze and turn around, rubbing his neck, as if he had felt his look physically. It was crazy, but also exciting.

Kaito put the bird back onto the desk and sighed heavily. He missed him.

"Where are you Meitantei and what did you get yourself into this time...", he mumbled.

There must be more... More clues to what he had been up to, before-

A loud cracking noise cut the air behind him. It almost sounded like an angry whip.

Kaito turned around as if a bolt had hit him.

"You!!", the old house elf snarled at him, puffing. It was clear he was still a bit under the influence, but he did his best not to sway.

Uh-oh. Kaito gulped. He had never seen a house elf so angry before in his entire life.

Shit...

He held up his hands and slowly walked backwards, already counting his carefully beforehand planned exit possibilities and diversionary gadgets in his head. He hadn't planned for the elf to be awake this soon though... Or awake at all before he left again. He grimaced. The room filled up with energy so fast, it felt like electricity was filling up the room and his hair stood up on his arms.

"Woah, hey there buddy- it was just some sleeping powder, alright? I meant no harm-"

The elf snapped his fingers and hissed something angry under his breath.

The door and window vanished in an instant and locked the room up like a prison room with grey walls. Great... What now!? The truth for once? It was a gamble, but house elves were very powerful beings and he definitely didn't want to hurt him, so duelling was out of the question. He could feel himself beginning to sweat.

"Look, Yamaguchi-san, is it? Please listen before you hex me into oblivion... I know you are angry with me for putting you to sleep before, but I know house elves have magic way beyond humans. You can even do some kind of occlumency on me, if you want... I'm only here to find out what happened to Kudō-kun."

The house elf froze and eyed him suspiciously. He cocked his head and narrowed his eyes at him.

"... Who is he!? And how dares he to put Yamaguchi to sleep? Does he have any idea what could have happened while Yamaguchi was abandoning his noble duties of protecting and shielding this ministry!"

Kaito winced. Oops. Nope, he hadn't thought about that.

"... Sorry? It was just for a few minutes though, nothing happened really."

The house elf made a hissing sound.

"Just a few... urgh! The face he wears isn't his. Yamaguchi knows him. But there is no magic involved or it would be noticeable to him. Is it some kind of new dark magic!? Tell me his name this instant", the elf snarled, clearly frustrated to have been tricked.

Kaito smirked and bowed dramatically before him. It was important to never lose one's poker face after all, even if he was honestly scared for his life right now. His heart was beating a fast staccato in his chest.

"No. I would never. Let's say... I'm someone who is popular enough to not being able to just walk into Kudō's office to look for clues... I just disguised myself like a muggle would. No dark magic involved, I swear", he said, still holding his bow before him.

Kaito stood again, but he could tell the elf was still wary of him. The house elf blinked and grunted.

"He is looking for Headauror Kudō-sama?", the elf asked scrutinizing and now, Kaito felt like in an interrogation. It probably was one.

He nodded grim and held the other's fierce gaze.

"Yes. Kudō-kun... Shinichi- is an old friend of mine. He still... means a lot to me. If he is in danger, I want to help him. And let me tell you... this guy is a real trouble magnet. But it isn't like him to vanish just like that for over two weeks. That's why I fear something really got to him this time."

The elf made a noise, as if he was still pondering whether he should hex him to hell and back or call for the other Aurors. Kaito could practically feel his hair standing up on his body again, as the elf seemed to work a spell on him. Then he nodded, seemingly satisfied.

"Yamaguchi can sense truth in his words and see honest feelings in his heart."

Kaito let out a breath he hadn't realized he was holding until now. He allowed himself to relax a bit again. An idea presented itself like on a silver platter... he decided, he should use it.

"Can you help me?", he asked hopefully.

The elf tilted his head.

"Yamaguchi doesn't know how he could be of any help to him... But he likes and respects Headauror Kudō-sama very much. Yamaguchi will help however he can."

Kaito nodded.

"That's great. Thank you. Can you maybe tell me if someone else broke into here since he left?"

The elf made an angry noise.

"Of course not! Yamaguchi makes sure of that. This... is the first time someone managed to get in here. In decades."

Kaito snickered, even though the elf shot him a dark look for that. He shrugged.

"Heh, I take that as a compliment. If it is any comfort, the powder I used on you before would knock out a dragon in seconds... It's a special brand, very rare and difficult to get on the Chinese market and very much illegal... A~nd I used the rest I had of it on you, so there won't be any more... uh, incidents like this."

The elf narrowed his eyes at him again.

"Yamaguchi is... satisfied to hear that. He still doesn't know the friend's name though."

Kaito smirked in a charming way.

"Can you keep a secret, Yamaguchi-san?"

The elf snorted.

"Of course. Yamaguchi is the holder of many secrets. Many more than a young boy like him might imagine."

"Good, then I hope you'll hold one more. I'm the moonlight magician, but you can call me... Kid, as some like to call me these days in the papers."

The eyes of the elf went wide.

"Why would a thief look for Headauror Kudō-sama? I remember Headauror Kudō-sama even chasing him in another country not so long ago... Yamaguchi has read the papers."

He sniffed proudly, as if people wouldn't expect him to actually read the papers or being able to read at all and Kaito decided he liked this little guy. A warm smile crossed his lips.

"Like I said... We are old friends. So please, do you maybe know anything that can help me find him?"

The elf looked around the room, deeply contemplating this request.

"Yamaguchi knows Headauror Kudō-sama was always vigilant, always waiting for the shadows to return... His last conversation with him was about them."

Kaito nodded grim and frowned.

"That's what I feared... that they are involved. What did you talk about?"

"Yamaguchi simply told him, what he had heard... Whispers in the city. The shadows, they are back. If they have him now... No... Yamaguchi doesn't want to believe they got to him. Headauror Kudō-sama is a very capable young wizard."

Worry weaved Kaito's stomach into knots.
He could feel his poker face falter and his face become even grimmer.

"Can you... feel his whereabouts maybe?"

The old house elf shook his head sadly. He even sighed.

"Yamaguchi already tried. Many times. Yamaguchi's magic could find Headauror Kudō-sama and he could get into whatever cell Headauror Kudō-sama was held in. If conscious or unconscious. But... Yamaguchi can't."

Kaito's heart stilled. He stared at the house elf, his body frozen.

"Are you saying... You feel he is truly dead?", he choked out. The words felt wrong on his tongue. Dread held his heart in an icy hug. Please no... Please... Not again. Not him.

The house elf shook his head wildly, his ears flopping around.

"No! He doesn't understand. This is, what is so frustrating for Yamaguchi! Yamaguchi is sure, the young Headauror Kudō-sama is still alive. But... Headauror Kudō-sama feels like he is too far away for Yamaguchi's magic to reach him. This is what concerns him."

Kaito's heart suddenly began to race again and his eyes widened at the realization.

"You mean- Like... in another country!?", he asked and couldn't help how excited and relieved his voice sounded.

The old house elf tilted his head.

"Yamaguchi is not sure, but that might be a good explanation for it, yes. Elf magic is not limitless, young Kid-sama. But Yamaguchi can say for sure, if Headauror Kudō-sama was still in Japan, his magic could reach him right now."

"And you are sure he is alive?", Kaito asked again. This time he didn't even try anymore to conceal or hold back the relieved smile that broke out on his face then.

"Yes, Kid-sama. Yamaguchi is sure of that. But Headauror Kudō-sama's magic is... smaller. Flickering... like a flame, at the end of a very long, dark tunnel."

Kaito's face darkened again and he frowned. Well, that's what the shadows did to you... But Shinichi was stronger than they were. You'll just have to hang on a little longer, Shinichi. I'll find you. I promise...

"But at least he's alive... I knew it! That's fantastic Yamaguchi-san! This helped me a lot. Thank you so much. I won't forget this. Whenever you should need a favour of me, whatever it is, I will be in your depth."

He bowed again.

Yamaguchi bowed too.

"Yamaguchi doesn't need anything, but... He will still remember. Yamaguchi would be most happy if Kid-sama would find the young master of course."

Kaito nodded and smirked.

"I won't rest until I've found him. I promise you that."

"Then Yamaguchi will let the young thief go. Under one condition..."

He held one of his small fingers up and looked at him warningly.

Kaito's eyebrows rose and a smile tugged at his lips.

"What is it?"

"... never to use that dreadful powder on him again", the elf growled in a huff and made Kaito laugh.

He nodded.

"I promise and I'm sorry... truly. Next time, when we'll see each other again, it will be in company of Shinichi Kudō and I will be entering the right way."

He winked at the house elf who snorted, a bit disbelieving. It wasn't actually a smile on his lips, but it was close. Kaito counted that as a win.

"Yamaguchi is very satisfied to hear that. Then, Yamaguchi wishes Kid-sama luck. If he has found young Headauror Kudō-sama and should one of the young masters need help... Please don't hesitate to call upon him for it."

With that said, the elf lifted the magic of the room again and vanished with another cracking sound. Everything looked the same as before.

Phew... that was a close one. But Lady Luck once again was on his side. And he even had found way more information than he had hoped for!

Before he turned to leave again, he saw Shinichi's violin hanging on the wall and took it and the bow in hand on a whim idea.

He smirked, full of anticipation now.

With newfound determination, he slipped out of the room before anyone else would detect him. There was another person he needed to find now. One that could certainly help him... an old school friend of his.

~.* Shinichi POV *.~

After the initial shock had subsided, Shinichi set out to explore Diagon Alley. In one of the winding side streets, he first spelled all his baggy clothes and sneakers to fit him again. After that, he felt, at least a little bit, more like himself again.

In an attempt to investigate why he had been dropped off where he had come to, he looked around again at the place where he had woken up earlier. There was nothing out of the ordinary to see though, only a set of stores. He stared at them, deep in thought and hand on his chin.

Between Florean Fortescue's ice cream parlour and Eeylop‘s Owl Store was a restaurant called Hinata's Smiling Panda sandwiched in between. Then it struck him and he blinked... The entrance to the restaurant looked exactly like one of the Torii at the entrance to his school. It was the same red wood, only smaller. Maybe- He narrowed his eyes.

Having thought that, at that moment, a pair of magicians came out of the restaurant right in front of him and strolled down the street laughing and talking, as if it was the most normal thing to walk through it. And nothing at all happened...

He sweat dropped and felt stupid. Or maybe it was nothing. It could just be a coincidence, right? Didn't Asian restaurants often look like that, imitating any number of official-looking originals? He sighed and memorized the information, but for now, he had more pressing problems.

First, he needed a place to gather himself. He wandered up and down Diagon Alley three times before he could fully orient himself.

A bookstore called Flourish & Blotts was the first place he found refuge in. Just the smell of books calmed him immensely, but that feeling didn't last long.... He asked the annoyed-looking clerk for a current newspaper from Japan and turned noticeably pale as he stared at the date, after a newly printed Swift Feather was handed to him.

"I-is this really from today?", he asked again stuttering, because he didn't want to believe it. He felt the color drain from his face.

The clerk sneered.

"Are you stupid, boy? It's todays' date. Can't you read?"

Shinichi threw him a dark, withering look. But the headline and picture underneath the date weren't much better though. A heavy sinking feeling spread in his stomach like a stone as he read it, over and over again and stared at the moving image of a black coffin, which was accompanied by a funeral procession.

'Japan still mourns fallen hero. Headauror Kudō Shinichi, now missing for two weeks - was finally declared dead two days ago by minister Megure. The funeral was held at the Beika cemetery. Mourners still gather around today at the-'

Shinichi gulped and read another one.

'Minister Megure appoints new Headauror - Heiji Hattori. The new, hot-tempered Headauror declares the Shadows to be the greatest threat for the country right now.

"We will not give up the search for Kudō," says Headauror Hattori in his first interview.'

And the last one;

'New attack of the Shadows or perfidious assassin? In Clocktower Street, eyewitnesses report a terrible attack on civilians in broad daylight at the Mitsuo vaults. Five people were killed in an explosion at the bank when-'

He held the newspaper so tightly that the corners crumpled. Angrily, he gritted his teeth. Those bastards.... He really needed to get back home. And fast. They needed him. Above all, he needed to let his friends and family know he wasn't dead!

And how the hell had he lost two damn weeks like that? How had he no memory at all of what had happened to him in this time? How or why was he even here of all places? Had he been kidnapped and had someone erased his memories? Or was it possible-

"Oi! Boy! You read it, you buy it, understood!?", barked the clerk at him and Shinichi flinched.

"Sorry... I- uh- here." He quickly handed the paper back and fled the shop again, not listening to the grumbling of the old man behind him.

Diagon Alley was a magical street bursting with weird and wonderful curiosities and filled with even more interesting people of all kinds. But Shinichi had no attention for it.

His mind was racing with thoughts and possibilities, especially questions, to which he knew no answer to and it frustrated him endlessly.

Besides, it was mid-November and his thin coat didn't offer much protection from the far cooler wind and weather than in Japan at this time of year. And thanks to the wind, every heating up spell was quickly evaporated before it could even take effect. He eventually asked his way to a pub where he hoped to find shelter.

When he finally reached it, he was already shaking and had to restrain his teeth from chattering as he stood at the counter with the owner.

Said owner, an elderly blonde woman, was taking one look at him and smiled in a pitying way, before she put a huge jug with a silky-cream, steaming warm liquid under his nose without asking.

He blinked.

"Um- thanks. Ms.-?"

Her smile widened.

"It's Mrs. Longbottom."

"Thanks Mrs. Longbottom. But- I'm sorry- what is this?", he asked politely in English, but not ungrateful. He even put his hands around the warm glass, to warm them up and smiled a little. She just grinned.

"Butterbeer. You can't be from around here if you don't know it. Drink it, boy. It will warm you right up. You look like you need it... Don't worry, you can pay me back later." Then she winked friendly and left to tend some other customers in the room, before he could say any more. A few of said customers eyed him curiously before deciding he wasn't all that interesting anymore.

She was right. After he drank at least half of it, he felt much warmer, thanks to the small amount of alcohol. But it was also very tasty, even if maybe a little too sweet for his preferences, since the taste reminded him of a creamy but not too sweet caramel candy with a little vanilla.

But since it was already late and he had been running around all day with an empty stomach, he decided, it was the best he had in a while. He told himself to pay her back in double for her kindness later.

After the owner came back to the counter, Shinichi opened his mouth to tell her a fabricated story, but she already waved it off, smiling warmly at him.

"Let me guess, you need a room, but can't pay for it now. Must be in some trouble, huh? Not being in school right now and what not..."

Shinichi smiled wryly and scratched the back of his head in embarrassment. 'That was probably the understatement of the year,' shot through his head cynically.

"Hah, yes you could say that. Uh, well, I promise to pay for it as soon as I can, I just really need to send someone a fire message first. It's really important. Would it be possible to use the fireplace, perhaps?"

She nodded understandingly and showed him the way back through the pub.

"Of course, here-"

He followed her back into a small room with an old stone fireplace. Luckily, the room was empty except for them. Shinichi couldn't be more thankful. The leathery Chesterfield chair right in front of the fireplace especially, though already sagging, looked extraordinary cosy and inviting.

The room was warmer than the others were and was filled with the smell of old wood and light smoke from the fire. If the circumstances would be different, Shinichi would be curled up in it with a good book right now.

Mrs. Longbottom pointed behind him to a shelf with writing utensils and tore him out of his homely imagination.

"Over there are used pens and ink, and some paper. But it should do. I'll leave you to it and show you your room later."

She turned to leave, but Shinichi bowed to her in thanks, automatically, even though people here didn't do that and she just laughed.

"Thank you very much again. I'll pay you accordingly later, I promise", he assured her.

"Really, don't worry about it, lad", she said friendly and left. Shinichi smiled a little, before he went over to the shelf to gather what he needed.

The safest would be to write Agasa-san and his parents first, since for both of them, they already established a coding spell, to hide fire messages. He took what he needed and went to the chair to write them, before he spelled them to secrecy. Only the right muttered words would make the messages visible.

When he was finished, he folded the two letters in half and wrote the addresses on the back, before he threw them into the fireplace with each a handful of floo powder where the messages instantly burned up in blue flames with a whooshing sound and vanished.

Then he waited.

The first fire message that came floating back out of the fireplace with a whoosh, was the one from his father. The folded paper that had burned corners from the fire was blank until Shinichi tipped his wand against it and mumbled: "When you have eliminated the impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the truth."

The words appeared in his father's handwriting. It was a simple, yet typical answer and he smiled about it.

'We are very glad you are alive and well, son. Your mother is upset with me, because I told her it would be safer right now not to visit you right away - but I'm sure you will explain everything when things have calmed down and you are safely back in Japan. I had to promise her, you would write her as soon as possible though. She is in your house right now, packing everything up you asked for. And of course we'll send enough money. We will send the package to you this afternoon to this address. Please be safe, Shinichi.

Love,
Father.'

The second one took at bit longer, but Shinichi wasn't in a hurry. In fact, he became sleepy, the longer he sat there and stared into the warm fire. He even dozed off until he was awakened again by Mrs. Longbottom, who came in to bring him something to eat apparently.

He startled when she placed a full bowl and a spoon next to his chair on a small table.

"Sorry, just thought you might be hungry. It's some leftover beef stew with carrots and potatoes."

As if on cue, his stomach grumbled loudly and Shinichi could feel his cheeks grow warm. It smelled delicious. Mrs. Longbottom laughed heartily.

"Oh well, I think that answers whether or not you are hungry. And while you were sleeping, a message came for you", she said and pointed to his lap, where indeed the folded paper lay.

"Ah, thanks!", he said and smiled sheepishly at her. He waited until she left the room again, then opened the second fire message and tapped softly against it with his wand once more.

"Elementary, my dear Watson", he mumbled and the words once again appeared on the paper, this time from his friend and mentor Agasa-san.

'Shinichi, I'm so glad you are alive! I told Ai-chan and Hattori-kun as well. Both of them insisted to come to your location as soon as possible... You just need to send me your room number and I'll prepare a port key. If you need anything else, please don't hesitate to write me right away. You gave us quite a scare this time, to be honest... As to your question about the Torii. I will research whatever I can until you three come home. For now, I can only say, that yes, it is possible you travelled through them. But how or why, I don't know yet, I'm sorry.

I hope to hear from you soon, until then, be safe and I hope all three of you will come back safe and sound and in one piece.

Good luck and safe travels,
H.A.'

He put the letters away in his coat pocket, smiling and began to eat. For the first time today, he had the feeling everything would be okay again.

A few hours had passed. Mrs. Longbottom had shown him to his room later, after he thanked her for his dinner and sent another fire message to Agasa-san. Then he waited.

It were restless hours in which he just lay around, looked out the window, listened to the crackling fire logs in the fireplace in front of his bed and racked his brain or even tried to sleep - but in vain.

And then - finally - something buzzed through the atmosphere, the air in front of his bed began to waft and with a loud plop, suddenly a yellow rubber boot banged on the floor. He jumped up from the bed in excitement.

Shinichi began to grin. He knew what would come next.

And then... Finally, his two best friends appeared in front of him in the room with another loud plop. They had their backs to him and Heiji was in the middle of a tirade, it seemed.

"I'm just saying, they could really invent more pleasant ways to travel long distances, right!? Three damn Portkeys in three hours and each time we had to- KUDŌ! Is that really you? I knew it, you're alive! And for some reason... younger!?", Heiji exclaimed loudly in shock, surprise and happiness after he turned around. Shinichi already wanted to reprimand him for calling out his name so loudly, but Ai distracted him.

At first, he thought Ai would be angry, but she gasped and ran up to him with watery eyes and hugged him so fiercely, like she never had before... For at least a minute, she openly sobbed into his shoulder. He just hugged her back for a while and softly stroked her back, smiling.

His own inner tension slowly released. It felt good to have them both finally here with him.

"I'm sorry, Ai... hey, it's okay. Calm down please...", he muttered into her hair.

After he said that, she broke away from him and started repeatedly hitting his arm. Hard. He winced and shied away from her, but it wasn't much use.

"Ow... Oi!", he grumbled. "That wasn't what I meant... Oi, cut it out!"

With still teary, reddened eyes, she looked at him accusingly.

"NEVER. do. that. again! I thought you were dead for real this time, you stupid idiot! I even went to your damn funeral!", she hissed at him with clear anger and hit him again.

"Ouch- ouch! Ai- hey- stop it! Heiji, help me out here!?", he cried out in pain.

Heiji just scoffed, arms crossed over his chest and shook his head with a nonchalant smirk.

"Nah pal, you know I never stood a chance to her... She's too scary. Sorry. She is right though. We were really worried this time. But unlike her, I always knew you weren't dead. I know you too well. Even death wouldn't keep you, you damn Shinigami", he grinned at him.

Shinichi began to grin too. His best friend came up to him then and hugged him too, but in a half hug, half-friendly shoulder pat, like they often liked to do. Ai scoffed and still gave him a glare beside them, as she looked him up and down with crossed arms.

"What did you do now!?", she asked, still sniffling and made a face. "Why the hell do you look like... 14? Or 15... tops. And what happened to you? You were gone for two weeks damnit!"

He sheepishly scratched the back of his head.

"Ehhhehe... Well, to be honest- I don't really know. But the most important question would be- ... Is this reversible?"

He gave Ai a hopeful look. She rolled her eyes.

"For that, we would need to know what exactly hit you. Did you hear the curse that was thrown at you? Was it even a thrown curse or did you touch something or wandered over an age-line-spell? Why are we in London? What did even happen!?", she snapped.

Shinichi winced. Yep, that was the Ai knew and loved alright. Heiji sighed.

"Start at the beginning? What is the last thing you remember? Agasa-san didn't tell us much before and was really vague...", he helped out and Shinichi sighed too, as he sat back down on the foot of his bed. He gestured for them to do the same and they sat down on the two cushioned chairs next to the fireplace.

"Well, the last night I remember is the 3rd of November. It happened at the Suzuki Museum. At first, I went to Agasa-san, because of his letter."

He glanced at Ai and she nodded for him to go on.

"It was late, around midnight, but- well, anyway. We talked and he told me about the incident and the break-in at the school. And Koizumi-san. And the letter she left and that she went into hiding? And something about a- a prophecy?"

Both of his best friends frowned at that, but he continued.

"I had a bad feeling and went to the museum to make sure everything was alright with the treasures - which of course, was when I surprised them in the middle of their operation it seemed. There were two shadows and I saw the face of one of them. I have to admit, the second one surprised me. I hid, but he still found me and hit me over the head from behind and I went down. I think... he must have given me something then because when I woke up, I already felt very strange", he frowned when he remembered the pain and the unpleasantness of it all.

"Like I had a fever or something. Everything hurt, as if my body was on fire... It felt like my bones were melting. But I managed to take the mirror with me at least and apparated back to the school. There I must have lost consciousness. I remember I fell through the Torii... and woke up here again. This morning. In Diagon Alley, for some reason. Freaking two weeks later, with no memory of what happened in between!"

Both of them stared at him in surprise and took the news in. He took a deep breath and sighed frustrated, hitting the blanket on his bed with his balled fist.

"I somehow lost two whole weeks of time and I don't know how or why. I still feel strange... It's almost like a hangover or something. I contacted Agasa-san, to let him and my parents and you two know I'm alive at least. I tried to make sense of how I got here. At first, I thought, maybe the shadows dropped me here. But that didn't make any sense. As I walked back into Diagon Alley to investigate, I found a gate..."

"You mean another Torii gate?", Heiji asked sharply, still frowning deeply in thought.

Shinichi nodded and shrugged.

"Yeah, funny enough, it's right across from where I came to. I just didn't realize it at first, because I was still disorientated. But it's part of a restaurant of all things... It's like, I just... stumbled through the Torii in Japan and fell out at the one in London. But somehow two weeks later? I'm still not sure if that's really how I came here though."

Ai hummed in thought, deeply concerned and her face scrunched up in thought.

"That's very strange... We need to research that. Did you ask ojii-san about it?"

"I did. He wrote me he'll research it too until we're back. But other matters are more important for now... Like how I'm presumed dead or why the hell I'm suddenly ten years younger!?"

He sighed again, clearly frustrated and looked at his two best friends.

"Can't you do something though Ai? Like... right now? Anything? Isn't this kind of your thing? You're an Unspeakable after all."

He threw her another pleading look, but Ai sighed deeply and pinched her nose.

"Yes. The work of the department of mysteries is kind of 'my thing'. Really... Sometimes I wonder if you became Headauror by sheer dumb luck", she groaned sarcastically.

A sardonic look crossed his face.

"Hey!"

"Don't hey me- I can't just snap my fingers and undo this... What did you expect? My field doesn't work like this. I have to make tests. And research severely. From the looks of it, for now... You just seem... younger?"

She squinted her eyes and tilted her head while she observed him. Heiji simultaneously did the same. It would have been a very funny picture, if he wouldn't be the reason for these weirded out looks.

"Yeah, she's right... It's really weird", Heiji agreed. Shinichi sweat dropped.

"Thanks... that's helpful", he muttered sarcastically.

"Are you unwell or harmed otherwise? Does your magic still work right?", Ai asked checking.

He shrugged.

"So far, I'm fine, I guess. Nothing too serious. Just headaches and fatigue, as I said. It's almost like a hangover? And I can still do magic normally, at least what I've tried so far."

Ai nodded and seemed relieved.

"Well, that's good at least."

Shinichi sighed and let himself fall back on the bed in defeat. The realization of his situation was slowly sinking in and crushed like a wave over his head. This meant he had to stay like this for longer than he hoped.

"But... I can't stay like this! I can't work like this-!", he complained. He would never hear the end of this. People wouldn't respect a young boy... He didn't really care about appearances, but his career... It was all he ever worked so hard for. Work was his life. Which probably wasn't very healthy, come to think of it, but that's how it was. And he wanted his life back, damnit!

Ai snorted, giving him a deadpan look from where she was sitting. She even had her arms crossed now. She almost looked like a stern mother.

"No of course not- and you shouldn't. Don't even think about just coming back like this! Travelling like this could be dangerous for your health. We don't know yet what exactly happened to you. This could have all kind of effects on your health... First, you need to be checked through immediately. For that, we need an experienced healer, a specialist. And I know exactly which one... We've worked together before. He's very thorough and discreet. I'm sure he even would sign a Fidelius charm to keep this... state of yours secret. At least for now. And the best thing is, he has connections to London. He could come here. You might remember him, his name is Hakuba Saguru."

Shinichi stared at her, dumbfounded and blinked.

"Hakuba is a specialist healer now? Huh. I didn't think about him for years... Do you...", he trailed off, the words tasting like ash in his mouth.

The next thought almost crushed him... but he had to ask.

"Do you think this is permanent?"

She leaned forward, an earnest and grave look on her face as she stared into the flames of the fireplace.

"It would be unprofessional to tell you anything concrete right now... I simply don't know enough yet. But-"

Their eyes met. A small hope was flickering in his chest, when she smiled her private, kind smile at him. He always knew what it meant. She loved him. Always had. But he had never felt the same... Not like this. She was his best friend though. As was Heiji. They both were his most trusted friends... He would trust them with his life. As he did now.

"We will find a way, Shinichi. We will help you and we won't give up, not until we have a solution for this. You can always count on my help and devotion, you know that. But for now, you just have to be patient... Not your strong suit, I know. But manageable."

He felt warmth curl in his chest and smiled.

"Thanks Ai."

Heiji made a humming, approvingly sound.

"Yeah, me too pal, of course. And um- about your position-", he cleared his throat in embarrassment. He seemed a bit uncomfortable, even almost flustered. Shinichi smirked and waved him off.

"It's yours. You are the most capable for this job, I trust you blindly. Both. And Agasa-san of course."

Heiji smiled, obviously relieved.

"Uh- thanks. That's really a relief. I was afraid you were mad at me or something... I would never steal your job or anything."

Shinichi chuckled.

"Of course not, Heiji. I know that. Don't worry. But for now", they exchanged a look, "I realize its better, we still keep this a secret... Since I saw the face of one of them, them knowing where I am or that I'm still alive could make not only me a target, but all of you too", he couldn't help but sound bitter about that. But he knew it was the right thing to do.

"How is everything, by the way?", he asked.

His best friend made a sour face and ruffled his hair in clear distress.

"Oh man... It's awful. The politics alone...", he groaned, "Gods, now I know why you always looked so stressed out. It's also why I left this job behind in the first place... I hate politics, you know that. It is madness! How do you keep all these people in line?!"

Shinichi toppled over in laughter. It felt good to lighten up a bit.... Heiji grinned sheepishly at him.

"Oi, don't laugh at me. I mean it- I need your advice on so many things...", he groused, sounding almost petulant.

Shinichi wiped a tear from his eye and grinned.

"Don't worry, I will help you out. But for the time being...", he sobered at the next thoughts. "What about the shadows? What's the news on them? I read articles- did they really attack Clocktower Street in broad daylight now?"

Both their faces darkened almost instantly.

"Yes. And there was another attack...", Heiji said and trailed off. Shinichi shot up like the bed bit him.

"When? What happened?"

Ai answered first.

"They actually tried to get into one of our special departments, while they attacked in Clocktower Street... The attack was just a diversion, it seems. But Yamaguchi detected it and they couldn't get in. When Yamaguchi captured them, they both ingested something and suddenly fell down... dead", she answered gravely.

Shinichi frowned, hand on his chin, thoughts already rushing through his head again. This was different then before, this meant they were getting desperate, but also more dangerous.

"Which department?", he asked sharply.

Ai leaned back, her smirk becoming somewhat smug.

"Mine. Precisely the 'Dangerous and deadly artefacts' part, down in the vaults. But they couldn't break my locks."

That was good... But the fact that they even tried- and came this far, even if just for a few minutes- Shinichi paced in front of the window, too railed up to sit still anymore.

"They are looking for the stone and the mirror. It must be the reason for all of this. They must think we have them down there... But if they didn't get in, that‘s good. It keeps their focus on us in Japan instead of here. Heiji - Triple the defences and ward spells and put guards in front of the vault. Make it look like we have the treasures and act as if you are worried. Even in front of co-workers. Who were they, do we know them?"

Heiji nodded, before he answered.

"Two minor ministry workers. We checked up on their families... But nothing. It's like they all vanished. Even the children. They either fled or were abducted. We suspect the shadows probably held their families captive and blackmailed the two guys with them."

Shinichi gritted his teeth and balled his fists. If only he hadn't been gone for so long... If only he wouldn't be in this damn state of his. If none of this had happened, maybe he could have prevented this tragedy.

"Bastards... Send me the names later, please. Tell everyone to be extra careful, especially if they have children. And remember, it's best if we talk to no one else about this. Us three will need to use a codeword or phrase for communication."

"Alright", Heiji agreed, a grave look on his face. Shinichi couldn't help but feel a bit as if they were in war now.

"You said you got the mirror...", Ai began and ripped him out of his dark thoughts, "But what about the stone? Do you know where it is yet?"

Shinichi shook his head, deep in thought again. This was the big question wasn't it? The reason all of this even happened in the first place. All of these innocent people who had to die over the years and what for? A damn stone and some fairy tale about his abilities of giving eternal life... Shinichi hated this damn stone, if it even existed.

"No, not exactly", he answered bitter, as another thought crossed through his head, "But... After I fell through the Torii, the mirror showed me a castle."

Both of his friends looked at each other and then frowned at him.

"You used the mirror? Just like that!? What if-", Ai asked irritated while Heiji drowned her out with his question.

"A castle? But there are probably hundreds of castles in this country. We don't have time to visit and search all of them. Do you remember what it looked like, at least?", he asked doubtfully.

"Wait...", he mumbled.

Shinichi turned around and picked up a provided quill and some paper from a table nearby. He sat down and tried to draw it from his memory. Both of his friends got up and looked over his shoulder, until Ai smirked and scoffed amused.

"You can stop with these horrible sketches now. That's Hogwarts, the school for magic students in this country. The greatest wizard of all time spent his school days there, so it has to be a very interesting place and it's probably heavily warded", she said.

Shinichi hummed in thought.

"But why...", he trailed off.

"This may sound crazy... But I think the mirror tried to tell you something, Shinichi", Ai said.

"You mean... Where the stone is hidden?", Heiji nodded, he seemed to believe the same.

Ai shrugged.

"Maybe? I read a lot about Hogwarts history. There was a headmaster before this new one... Dumbledore was his name. A great, legendary wizard from what I remember from history lessons in school. I also read about Horcruxes and about their school founders, hidden treasures in the school... There are supposedly hidden rooms and passages under it, moving stairs, endless corridors, ghosts and secret dark chambers in catacombs... They even have a haunted house on school grounds. Oh and a forbidden forest. It sounds like a likely place where the stone could be hidden, to be honest. Don't you think?", she ended with a triumphant smirk and looked at them both expectantly.

Suddenly Heiji's face lit up and he gestured enthusiastically with his hands.

"But that's it then! Don't you see? We can use this! This is the perfect disguise! You get into the school as a student and search for it, while we hold the ground at home. You are the perfect spy right now..."

"Now wait a minute...", Shinichi protested. He already feared Heiji would come to that conclusion. But... He really had hoped to finally get back home again. He didn't want to stay in this body any longer than necessary... He was an adult, damnit. Not some teenager. And this... this could mean a long undercover operation. Was he really prepared to go to school again, in a foreign country? Like an actual kid? But then, if it was for work and they could finally find the stone... All the people's lives he could safe and spare if all of this finally ended...

He sighed.

"Fine. Yeah, you are right. I have to ask Agasa-san for help though, to even get into it and falsify my identity. I need a new name... and a back story."

"First you need your healer appointment", Ai interfered coldly and strictly, already in her mother hen-mode again.

Shinichi bit his lip.

"But-"

"No. We get you checked up first, then you can dive into work again like the crazy workaholic lunatic that you clearly are... One day, this behaviour will actually kill you... And you are encouraging him!", she turned and snapped at Heiji, who held up his hands in surrender, his face a grimace, backing up a little from her in fear.

"Ai, come on... Don't be like that", Heiji tried.

Shinichi tried to calm her too.

"I don't like this either... Believe me. But it seems I have no choice. At least I can make something good out of this... body... situation. Right?"

She narrowed her eyes, her arms still crossed. It took a while before she answered.

"Idiots. Both of you", she huffed.

Shinichi smiled crookedly. He knew then, he had won.

"I will visit Agasa-san then right away and will get on the identity agenda. You'll need all kinds of papers... Oh man. The paperwork alone...", Heiji groaned and Shinichi grimaced.

"Sorry...", he mumbled and bumped his shoulder in sympathy. He knew the workload and burdens of his job after all only too well himself.

Heiji smiled at him weakly and bumped his shoulder right back.

"Nah, don't worry. Anything for you. Just promise me, you'll take your job back as soon as you can, please? Kazuha will kill me, if I keep coming home this late...", he groaned loudly and Shinichi sweat dropped, smiling wryly.

"I will, I promise... But first, it looks like I'm going to be a student again."

Well... this is going to be fun, he thought, full of dry sarcasm.

"Is this really necessary?", he hissed annoyed for probably the third time in the last thirty minutes. The sun was shining down on them and it was a beautiful morning in London. They were walking down the platforms in the train station in
King's Cross, searching for a wall, of all things... Agasa had told them the crossing would be between platform 9 and 10, platform 9¾ apparently. So far, they were still looking. He was also dragging behind him a suitcase that was much too large, because his mother's second package a few days later had contained an extremely large amount of 'things he would need to be a student again' and more. He was not pleased.

"Of course, Kud- I mean, son! We are concerned parents who are accompanying you to the train. Because we are responsible parents", Heiji laughed and grinned way too giddy. Shinichi wanted to strangle the guy as he even playfully laid an arm over his shoulder and ruffled his hair. He wanted to kick his shin. Hard.

Ai just scoffed and tried really hard not to snicker, from the looks of it, as he shoved Heiji off him. They all were in disguise, or well... More or less.

Fortunately, the ministry had stockpiles for undercover operations like these and Ai had given them each a different vial of polyjuice potion out of her own ministry work stock. Which they drank, after they left the pub for good and Shinichi had paid Mrs. Longbottom three times worth for the room and her kindness.

Now Ai looked like a blond woman in her mid-40s, while Heiji had likewise transformed into an older man in his late 40s with a mustache and a big belly, much to everyone's amusement. Shinichi had drunk the hair of a pale, slender 15-year-old Japanese son of some ministry worker. To top it off, he also wore fake glasses. It was unusual to see someone completely different in the mirror, but for now, sadly he needed to get used to it.

She had also gifted him a whole supply of polyjuice potion and given him a chain with a small vial, which he now had to take with him all the time to keep up his appearance in case of an emergency. Out of necessity, he had tucked the silver chain under his shirt, but he wasn't happy about this whole situation.

It had taken three days to conjure everything up and inform all people necessary to the undercover operation. Agasa had written the Headmaster of Hogwarts, a woman named Ms. Marazion and had arranged a falsified identity for him, all-inclusive a back-story.

He was even wearing his uniform already. Agasa had advised to put him into the Ravenclaw house, since that seemed to fit his personality the best, he said. He had also sent him all kinds of books about Hogwarts, so Shinichi could learn all things important beforehand and map out a plan of the lands.

However this charade was completely unnecessary... It was so humiliating, really.

Shinichi threw his best friends a withering, sour look and gritted his teeth.

"Cut it out you idiot or I swear, I'll hex you. You enjoy this far too much...", he murmured sourly under his breath.

"Also refrain from calling him by his real name all the time, dear husband", Ai added dryly and threw Heiji a warning look from under her bangs.

"Alright, alright. I'm sorry", Heiji said and still somehow couldn't keep the grin off his lips.

"Conan", Ai called him by his new name and he looked at her, raising an eyebrow.

"Remember your appointment with Dr. Hakuba this week. I'll write you the details, as soon as we've found a secure location."

He rolled his eyes. As if, she hadn't told him already three times...

"Yeah, yeah... Mom", he couldn't help but chuckle himself now, before he looked at Heiji and they both burst out laughing.

Ai sighed long-suffering.

"I don't know why I even bother with you two idiots...", Ai mumbled under her breath, clearly annoyed now and pinched her nose, as she walked away from them.

Heiji ran after her, trying to lay his arm around her too, grinning like an idiot.

"Aaaaarw, honey. But you love us- ieeehk-"

Ai had stepped on his foot with her shoe and snorted.

"I want a divorce. You can have the kid", she threw coldly over her shoulder and went ahead.

"Oi, oi... So cold, Mom", Shinichi sweat dropped and wandered after her. Heiji just chuckled beside him and ruffled his hair once more.

Then they finally found the wall, on platform 9¾.

"Uh... Not to complain, but how exactly does this work now?", Heiji asked, as all three of them stared a bit lost at the wall.

Ai looked at her wristwatch.

"Oji-san said it should open at exactly-"

Something happened. They could all feel and see it, as the portal suddenly activated and the stonewall somewhat... moved. As if it was water.

"-10:45 am. Which is now. It's open for exactly one minute now. Conan-", she turned to him and smiled grimly.

"-we'll see each other soon. Go now. And try to stay out of trouble this time."

Shinichi chuckled and grinned wickedly. She just gave him a deadpan-resigned look for that.

"I'll try my best, Mom", he said before he turned to Heiji, "-Dad." Heiji smirked and nodded, then Shinichi stepped through the portal and stood in front of the Hogwarts Express, a fairly impressive, red old steam train and Shinichi gaped.

The Hogwarts Express took off on time at 11 o'clock am and would arrive at Hogsmeade station in the early evening, as far as Shinichi knew. Which gave him plenty of time to admire the incredible beautiful Scottish countryside with it's mysterious misty lochs and the green hills of the Scottish Highlands it steamed through. 

During the long journey to Hogwarts, he also bought and enjoyed treats from a trolley witch and the Buffet Car, such as Pumpkin and Cornish Pasties and a Chocolate Frog; although he bought the latter mostly to inspect it, because it was clearly enchanted.

He preferred not to buy any of Bertie Botts flavoured beans though, as the flavours of Grass, Boogers, Liver pate, Earwax, Rotten Egg or Earthworm among others, sounded anything but tasty...

It also gave him time to read plenty about the Hogwarts castle, its history, floor plans and the grounds around it. Well, if one could call them floor plans... It was more like a list of rooms, floors, and wings that should be located in the school, but where exactly, was finicky and unsure for most of them, with a few exceptions.

Apparently, it was not possible to create an accurate floor plan or map of Hogwarts because rooms over the years and the proud number of a hundred and forty-two staircases moved around a lot - a trait the school owed to Rowena Ravenclaw, founder of his own new house.

Which brought him to the next topic... House ghosts. Since a not so positive encounter with an actual dragon ghost a few years back, Shinichi wasn't very fond of ghosts anymore. However, Hogwarts seemed to have not only one but seven permanently residential ghosts... Four were house ghosts of the founding houses. One was a poltergeist, another one was the ghost of a girl who died a mysterious death on school grounds and another one of them was even still a teacher for History of Magic. He shuddered at the thought alone.

As he read more about all the seven floors, dungeons, towers, secret chambers and even walls that pretended to be doors sometimes and doors that needed to be tickled in the right place to even open up - he couldn't help but think of a special someone, a particular phantom thief, who would very much enjoy exploring such a wondrous, magical building like no one else would... a small, amused smile flitted across Shinichi's lips at the thought of what school life would have been for all of them, if the raven's nest would have been anything like Hogwarts and Kaito Kuroba would be have been let loose in it...

By the time the train began to reach the station, he was already tired again and a bit hungry, but he also felt ready and was now packed with an at least loosely mapped out plan where to look for the stone.

As the train came to a halt and the doors opened, Hogsmeade station presented itself deserted of people and a bit lonely, but also truly English with it's old brick cottages and red sitting benches like right out of an old country movie.

The last rays of a warm sunny autumn day broke over on the roofs of the station buildings. Shinichi took a deep breath as he looked around and smiled. For a moment, he almost felt like he was on holiday. The air smelled fresh and of nature, which was most likely due to the fact that, except for the station buildings on either side of the tracks, there was only one path leading into the adjacent forest, indicating nothing of human life... except for the Hogwarts castle, which could be made out on a hill nearby, behind the tower.

A short ringing of the station bell in the tower announced the full hour and Shinichi set off, dragging his suitcase behind him.

Then he saw something or should he say... someone sitting on the nearest bench and he froze, surprised, before he set off to the dark red bench on the platform with a smirk. Sitting there, watching him with intelligent eyes was a white stoat. One, he knew all to well...

"What are you doing here, Bourbon?", he asked the stoat in his codename, hands in his pockets and smirk still in place. The animal stood up on its two hind paws and tilted its head. It blinked and moved its nose before nodding to him as if greeting him politely.

"I'm guessing you are the escort? Fine. We need to talk anyway."

The animal squeaked at him and hopped off the bench, looking at him expectantly, as if it wanted him to follow - before it took off like a small white bolt, down the platform and Shinichi followed intrigued.

"Oi, wait up", he called after it, but it either didn't hear him or ignored him and Shinichi grumbled.

As he followed the stoat down the platform and up the way back into the woods, Shinichi spelled his suitcase into pocket size to be faster and wished for a broom, but when he arrived at the clearing the stoat waited for him, he stopped, a bit shocked.

He knew Hogwarts had Anti-Apparition wards, so they had to travel up differently. But this was... were these actual Thestrals in front of carriages? Shinichi never had seen a real one before and he had to admit, they were somewhat intimidating, if not outright terrifying with their black winged, skeletal bodies, faces that resembled reptilian features and wide, leathery wings like a bat's. The white eyes that were pupil less were the most unsettling. If the creatures didn't move, they looked dead. He gulped.

The stout clambered up one of the carriage ladders fast, almost like it was nothing and Shinichi followed it inside. The door closed itself with a click and he flinched when one of the creatures outside gave off a shrill and strange shriek as the carriage started to move. Beside him, the stout on the seat morphed into his old colleague, who laughed softly at his clear uneasiness about the Thestrals.

Shinichi scoffed at him.

"Don't laugh at me Amuro-san...", he grumbled and Amuro smirked at him, amusement clear in his eyes.

"I can't help it, it's so rare to see you this vulnerable. Usually you're always so calm and collected."

The other man examined him from top to bottom then, before he raised an eyebrow at him.

"So it's true then..."

Shinichi sighed, smiling wryly. He was a little embarrassed that the other had to see him like this, so he played awkwardly with his necklace pendant instead of looking at him.

"Yes. Unfortunately."

Amuro nodded understanding and put a hand on his shoulder, which made Shinichi look up at him surprised. Normally Amuro wasn't a very handsy or emotional person.

"I'm very relieved you're alive Kudō-kun", he said sincerely and deepened his gaze on him. Shinichi could feel himself blushing a little.

He was a bit speechless, but Amuro broke the moment anyway and let his hand sink again as if nothing happened, as he switched back into work mode.

"Minister Megure personally ordered us to shadow you this time and wanted me to remind you about your first conversation with him when he met you at Agasa-san's office for some reason..?"

Now Shinichi blushed for different reasons and felt sheepish.

"Heh. The talk about tactics... Yeah. Figures. I guess he's right. I should have waited for reinforcements...", he admitted, a bit guilty and felt like a young foolish student again.

Amuro just smirked, clearly amused, but refrained to comment on this further and Shinichi appreciated this character trait of his very much about him.

"Who is 'us' anyway?", Shinichi asked curious.

A slightly irritated tug played around Amuro's lips then, before it disappeared again very quickly. But Shinichi knew Amuro too well now not to see and interpret it. Now it was him who raised an eyebrow at him a bit amused.

"Rye is here with me too, since he still has good connections here", Amuro answered, while he let his gaze wander outside the small window. Shinichi wondered if Akai-san was sitting somewhere outside in a tree in his form as a grey heron.

Ah, his mood makes sense then...

Shinichi knew this must be awkward, since the two hit wizards didn't exactly see eye to eye. In the past as Headauror, he had always made sure not to team them up in missions. A detail Hattori or the minister clearly didn't know or cared about, of course... but both of them were professionals and very good at their jobs, so he knew he didn't need to worry.

"Any activities or anything else I should know about?"

Amuro shook his head.

"So far, none. But that doesn't mean it will stay this way. They have become quite a bit more aggressive and active. We still don't know why. If you need any help or should you be compromised, don't hesitate to send off the Auror signal and we'll be there."

Shinichi nodded.

"Understood. Thank you."

He wasn't planning on it, but it was good to know someone had his back, just in case.

The carriage came to a stop in front of the gates and Shinichi prepared to get out, when Amuro held him back once more by the shoulder before he could open the door.

"And Shinichi...", the older man said in an underlying, more personal tone that made him pause and look back at the other, "-be more careful this time. You were lucky last time."

Shinichi smiled a little touched. He would not have thought that his pseudo death would have hit Amuro so hard, but it seemingly had.

"Yeah... don't worry, I will", he assured him softly.

Amuro smiled too and they nodded at each other, before he exited the carriage and the other morphed back into his Animagus form, to vanish into the beginning night.

Once Shinichi stepped out of the carriage, the warm feeling in his chest quickly vanished as he looked up at the huge building looming in front of him with its many towers and turrets, which was at least eight stories tall and utterly massive, but also impressive and simply magical. Shinichi would swear the school must have a Nexus point under it too, since the magic in the air was so strong, you could almost feel it vibrate. It made him miss the raven's nest, for some reason.

A very pretty, but stern looking woman in her forties guarded the huge oak doors of the entrance. She had dark brown skin and short curly, black hair and was dressed in a beautiful dress gown, which made her almost look like a colorful butterfly. She also wore elaborate jewellery and gold headbands that held back her hair. However, her face was anything but friendly. Her dark eyes were looking at him, as if he was a fly she wanted to swat away.

He grimaced as he came to a halt in front of her, feeling instantly a little intimidated by her strong presence.

"Good evening Ms. Marazion", he began friendly, "I'm-", which was when she already interrupted him.

"Oh, I know who you are... Mr. Edogawa", she said, her voice dripping with sarcasm and very obvious displeasure.

He shut his mouth again audibly and almost flinched. This was going to be... interesting.

"I'm only going to say this once... so listen carefully. I don't appreciate your presence here. I don't like the Ministry, whether if it's the Japanese Ministry or the British Ministry, and I don't like the Ministry interfering in the education of our students or bringing its politics and danger into this school... even if Minister Shacklebolt keeps droning on about keeping up positive political connections. I am the Headmistress of Hogwarts and therefore the students of this school are my top priority. They are under my care, and parents trust that this is a safe environment for their children.... So if you endanger or harm them in any way - thanks to your... mission, I will throw you out and hex you, regardless of any consequences. Understood?"

Shinichi looked at her for a moment dumbfounded and blinked, taking her powerful speech in, before he nodded at her with an equally serious expression and bowed in respect.

"Ms. Marazion, thank you for your honesty. I promise you, I understand your concerns and won't interfere with your curriculum. I'm also not interested in politics. If I endanger one of your students in any way, you have every right to throw me out, I'll give you my word on that."

He pushed up his glasses and they looked at each other. The Headmistress narrowed her eyes at him, as if she was still contemplating if she should believe him or not. Then she sighed and took a step to the side. It wasn't an invitation, more like resignation.

"Fine. Come in then. I take it you were already briefed with information about the school and your identity here?", she asked nonchalantly.

Shinichi exhaled with relief under his breath and came up the stairs to follow her into the building. He smiled a little.

"Yes, I was. You are the only one who knows about this though, am I right? None of the teachers were briefed?", he asked.

She scoffed.

"No, they were not. To them, you are merely an exchange student for a short time. As I was asked by Hiroshi", she answered short-tempered.

His brows moved up to his hairline in surprise about the personal way she addressed his old mentor. It did sound like they knew each other very well...

"You know Agasa-san then?", he couldn't help but ask.

She smiled for the first time and her face became almost soft. Almost. At this point, he wasn't sure the woman even could smile, to be honest.

"I do. I met him in Japan... a long time ago", she said with an undertone that suggested a longer story behind it. However, she did not seem to intend to share it with him. He wondered whether he should ask Agasa about it later or not.

"I see", he therefore answered noncommittal and took the time to look around instead. Other students were walking by, talking and laughing carefree. He also admired the almost medieval interior design of the castle with interest and tried to remember from his books where they were going. But as they came to a halt in front of what must be the Great Hall, he knew and turned to her.

"I'll leave you to it then. Dinner has already started. The first class starts at 8 o'clock sharp tomorrow and here is your schedule, a list of our rules and a description of your house and how to get to your room. Since you aren't really... well- we've given you a room for guests in one of the towers", she handed him a rolled up parchment. "Remember- I will keep an eye on you. Until then... Good luck."

With that, she floated away, almost soundlessly while her celestial colored robe puffed up behind her and he looked after her, a bit tired and relieved to be alone again.

He clutched the parchment roll to his chest. Well... that went... not so bad? He grimaced. Or more like... He was very glad when all of this would be over. He sighed and decided to take a look at the parchment to find out where his room would be, and then hopefully still had time to eat something.

When he looked up again from reading the parchment, a ghost suddenly came flying directly into his direction out of nowhere.

The ghost, which looked like a bald man with chains wrapped around him flew directly through him, while laughing like a maniac... as if it expected him to make room instead and Shinichi shuddered at the unpleasant feeling of coldness. He jumped back with an undignified sound, he would later deny at any cost... where he stumbled into another person behind him.

"Ouch...", a girl's voice whined and both of them fell to the ground.

Shinichi turned around and found a pair of kind, brown eyes blinking up at him. He was half lying on top of a girl with short brown hair and she blushed furiously as he tried to get up fast.

"Sorry, sorry... Are you okay?", he asked hurriedly and helped her up.

"Amy! Are you alright?", someone else asked from behind them and two boys of the same age came running up to them.

"Oh um- yeah", she answered all three of them and smiled shyly at Shinichi, a blush still on her cheeks. He pushed his glasses back up his nose.

"I'm really sorry... I uh- I'm not used to ghosts-", he tried to explain and felt childish and stupid to have been so scared of a ghost. Meanwhile, one of the two boys picked up Shinichi's parchment scroll from the floor. However, not without reading it....

"You're new here, aren't you?", the boy asked right after he must have read the information on the scroll. He was the taller one of the two boys, grinning cheekily at him. He certainly towered over Shinichi by a whole head and not only had broad shoulders, but a big belly as well. He appeared to be a Hufflepuff.

Shinichi thought it was a bit rude that he had read the parchment just like that... Nevertheless, he still smiled politely and reached out for the scroll. The boy handed it back to him.

The other boy beside him hummed in thought. He had half-length brunette hair and a lot freckles on his nose.

"That's right, you should be our age. But I've never seen you in our house before...", the boy said. He was also wearing a Ravenclaw cloak like himself and eyed him curiously.

The girl, or apparently Amy, who still looked a little awestruck at him, was a Gryffindor, judging by her cloak.

"Yeah right... This is my first day today. I'm an exchange student from Japan", Shinichi explained and all three nodded in understanding.

"That's cool!", Amy exclaimed.

"I've never been to Japan before. But I like Japanese food,", the tall boy commented.

"Then you probably didn't have any ghosts at your old school, right?", the boy with the freckles asked and Shinichi shrugged sheepishly.

"Not really... Just one, but he was very unfriendly."

"That explains your fear of them.... What's your name? We could show you around the castle a bit, if you want.... I'm sure you don't know anyone here yet and you're still a bit overwhelmed, aren't you?", Amy asked kindly, brushing a strand of hair behind her ear with a shy smile.

"My name is Conan Edogawa", he answered and laughed a little embarrassed. "And well, I wouldn't call it fear.... I just don't like them very much. I'll gladly accept the offer, though."

"I'm Mitch Tennison", the freckled boy explained, pointing at the girl, who promptly replied:

"Amy Yaeger."

"And the giant next to him is George Kaminski", Mitch completed the introductions with a wide smile.

Shinichi nodded in a friendly manner at all three of them.

It certainly wasn't a bad idea to make friends with a few students - after all, they knew the castle much better than he did and the size of the castle was really something that overwhelmed him a bit, plan or no plan.

George's stomach suddenly grumbled loudly as if on cue. He grinned broadly.

"But first... We should eat something. You can't walk around and concentrate very well on an empty stomach, right?"

He rubbed his stomach as if he was about to starve to death. His two friends laughed.

"What do you say Conan? We can sit together and you can ask us anything you want", Amy offered.

Shinichi smiled. Admittedly, he was at least as hungry as George.

"Agreed."

The Great Hall was really impressive, especially the ceiling, which Shinichi must have watched in fascination for minutes after entering the room. The magical sky above the tables was cloudy and only now and then a few stars shined through, but it was still something combined with all the hovering candles above them.

Many students were milling about in the hall and were already eating dinner. The tables were richly set and almost overflowing with food and it smelled delicious. He also noticed that the students, although mainly wearing their house robes, were all spread out and sitting at different tables in a motley fashion and noted this fact curiously.

"Headmaster Marazion said it's better for the community spirit if the students make also friends among the other houses instead of just interacting with their own houses", Mitch answered.

To this, Shinichi could only agree and took a seat at the Gryffindor table with them.

Mitch, Amy and George chattered excitedly and amiably about the school, rules, and teachers as they sat at the end of the table while heaping food onto their plates. Shinichi tried to listen very carefully to remember later as much as possible, while at the same time he tasted his way through a variety of dishes he had never eaten or drunk before.

Then something strange happened...

It was as if a shudder suddenly went over his back and he stopped listening to Mitch and the others for a minute.

'Huh!? This feeling... It's almost like when-'

Shinichi looked around, frowning, checking out the talking, eating and laughing students all around him, next his eyes wandered casually over the teacher's table...

What the-

After realization hit him like a slap, his eyes widened and his heart stopped completely - then he swallowed the pumpkin juice he was drinking at the moment down the wrong pipe. He spit over the table and coughed violently.

"Uah, Conan!!!", George complained loudly, as he wiped down his face.

"Conan, are you okay?", Amy asked worriedly beside him as he coughed.

"Sure, sure...", he wheezed. "Just uh- swallowed wrong. Sorry..."

This can't be... Is it really him!? He looks a bit different, but- no, it is him. How is he here too? Of all places!? Right now!?

He didn't have to fake his nervous laugh. But he needed to know...

"I'm sorry Amy... But can you tell me who this man over there is?", he asked and looked over at the teacher's table again.

"Who? Mr. Longbottom?", she asked innocently, blinking with her brown eyes.

"Or do you mean Mr. Kobey on the right?", interjected Mitch helpfully, for Mr. Longbottom and 'Mr. Kobey' were evidently talking very animatedly about something.

Shinichi nodded.

"Yeah. Him. Kobey, you say?"

Are you kidding me? What's with this stupid name if he didn't even bother with a disguise?

"That's Mr. Kiro Kobey. He's from Japan too. He's our new teacher, since he's only been here for a few days. We have him in Defence Against the Dark Arts. He's awesome!", Amy gushed.

"You don't say...", he drawled and smiled wanly while he practically stared a hole in 'Kobey's' back.

"Tch... This damn guy... I can't believe him-", Shinichi mumbled furiously under his breath in Japanese.

"Huh? Did you say something?", Mitch asked.

"Uh- sorry, I meant- never mind", he laughed in English again, a bit nervous and way too loud in his own ears.

His heart was still beating so fast he felt like it was going to jump out of his chest, and his stomach felt queasy.

Pull yourself together, Kudō, he scolded himself in his mind. You're on a mission here. A very important one... You can't lose your head just because-

"I think Amy has a crush on him...", George then commented dryly, not looking happy at all. Shinichi almost choked again and decided it was better to stop eating and drinking altogether for now.

Amy gasped.

"No, I don't!! Stop it! I just think he's very talented...", she protested loudly, but blushed despite her words just now.

"Uhuh...", both Mitch and George made at the same time and threw her cynic, disbelieving looks.

"But he's really good looking too, isn't he?", one of Amy's female Gryffindor friend's beside her snickered and elbowed Amy slightly. "You can admit it, we have eyes you know", she teased in an accent, Shinichi wasn't familiar with.

"Matilda...", Amy groaned, clearly embarrassed and hid her face behind her hands.

The girl with the red short hair couldn't help but grin cheekily.

"What? He is. He's really young too. He can't be over 25."

Shinichi coughed uncomfortably. Not only did this Matilda friend of Amy remind him of Sonoko, the whole conversation kind of irked him... and he felt a bit too hot in his uniform. This wasn't only an international wanted phantom thief they were talking about. It was also the guy that kissed him all those years ago...

"He's still way too old for you, after all, he's a teacher and you're a student", Shinichi drawled dryly, sticking his fork into a sausage on his plate with a little more force than necessary, even though he just played with it, instead of eating it.

The girl blushed a bit at his remark.

"Yeah... I know. I still have a crush on him though, I can't help it... he's so handsome. And you should see him in class. He's so talented...", Matilda sighed dreamily and kept looking at Kaito, like she wanted to devour him.

Shinichi sweat dropped and threw her an exasperated look.

'Yeah... as a criminal and a damn thief maybe...', shot glumly through his head and didn't let Kaito out of his sight for the rest of the evening, until he suddenly vanished and Shinichi swore under his breath in Japanese.

If this damn thief was also here, it meant two things... One, Shinichi was definitely at the right place. Kaito must now something he didn't, but chances were high, he too was looking for the stone.

And two, he definitely wouldn't get any rest tonight, since he couldn't let Kaito find the stone first. And he would bet his wand, that Kaito would look for it, every chance he got, foremost at night...

Shinichi had been lying awake in his bed for an hour, although it was difficult for him to keep his eyes open. It felt like he had sand in his eyes as he rubbed over his face with one hand in exhaustion. He was so tired...

His limbs were heavy. All he wanted was to stay in his comfortable bed and sleep...

But it was time.

It was after midnight and he had decided that tonight he should begin his search.

On this first night, he needed to get a feel for the castle itself, for the stairwells, for how telltale the paintings on the walls or the ghosts were, for the teachers' nightly rounds and how their schedules worked... He decided to start in the fifth floor corridors around the entrance to Ravenclaw Tower.

Just to be safe, he drank from his small vial around his neck, so the polyjuice potion wouldn't wear off. It still smelled and tasted weird and he began to really dislike it, but it was necessary.

He didn't bother to put on other clothes than the ones he had arrived in though and then set off to explore the tower and corridors in the dark with only a very small blue flame in his palm, which he conjured with a Nexus spell, and his wand in his other hand. His coin and the mirror were safely in his pockets too, just in case.

He was about to check out the art and music rooms when he heard something behind him. He quickly closed his palm to extinguish the flame. But it was too late.

"Stop right there...", a soft, all too familiar voice called out to him, and then he heard a muttered, "Lumos maxima", before he saw who was coming toward him and froze.

Of course...

He gritted his teeth and sighed. Why of all people did it have to be him? Shinichi turned around slowly and faced the 'professor' who came his way with a stony, grim face. It was the first time they faced each other after all these years and Shinichi tried to stay calm.

He couldn't help it. His heart was still racing and his stomach did a pleasant flip at the thought of the poem Kaito had last sent him... Well, his old self. Not this one. He briefly wondered if Kaito knew his real persona was believed to be dead now and what he thought about it.

But there was also some bitterness, now that he actually got to see him again. Shinichi desperately tried to shield himself from this storm of raging, confusing feelings that broke out inside of him. But then... it was always like that with him, wasn't it?

Kaito always got under his skin, like nobody else... Shinichi tried very hard not to let his anger show too much on his face though. After all Conan Edogawa didn't really know Kaito Kuroba, nor did he have any reason to be angry with him. Shinichi on the other end... well.

He balled his fists. 'You bastard', Shinichi thought furiously in his head. 'How could you just leave and turn your back on everyone... on me. You practically confessed your feelings and then you just- vanished. And for what? To be a damn thief!? What was up with that story anyway? If you had problems, why didn't you tell Headmaster Agasa or me? You could have trusted me. I could have handled danger and the shadows, like I handled Vineyard... I would have wanted to help you. But you didn't even give me a chance.'

But none of these thoughts would ever leave his mouth... There were so many questions, but no answers whatsoever.

He couldn't help it though... The anger dimmed and made room for... other feelings as well. The years hadn't hurt Kaito in any way. If possible, he got even more handsome. His face fuller, his body more masculine and especially muscular and his voice deeper. His sharp, intelligent eyes and arrogant smile were still the same though. And if you kept looking long enough into these indigo eyes, you found, there was still something left of that boyish, cheeky charm in him.

Shinichi couldn't decide if he wanted to punch or kiss the damn idiot. It was unnerving and confusing to no end... Also a very inappropriate thought for a 15-year-old teenager, he reminded himself sternly.

"Professor Kobey... Sir", he grumbled out, as the young man stepped in front of him.

Professor my ass, Shinichi thought darkly.

"Mr.- I'm sorry- what's your name?", Kaito asked politely as he came to a halt in front of him.

"Edogawa. Conan Edogawa", Shinichi answered just as politely, righting the glasses on his nose, which had slipped down a bit.

An intrigued smile formed on Kaito's lips as if he seemed to remember something.

"Ah. Rii~ght. You're the new transfer student from Japan. Huh. I'm sorry... It's just... Did we meet before? You seem so familiar. You were a student at the old raven's nest before I presume?", he asked.

Shinichi tensed, but shook his head.

"No, I'm sorry, we never met. Yes, I was, but not for long. My parents are in the acting business. They move around a lot because they act in different plays all over the world. But my health isn't the best and I have to have constant checkups, so I move with them wherever they go... They want to keep an eye on me", he lied.

It was a good story. He had told it so many times now that it came easily to him. It was sensible enough and gave him the opportunity to leave the school if he needed to and... well, the health checks were real, unfortunately. Ai had insisted on it. Besides, he had had to go undercover many times in his job before, he could do this...

On the other hand, none of them was The Kaitou Kid, the famous prankster and thief, also known as moonlight magician. If there was a single man that could see right through him, it was this guy.

Kaito nodded though, as if he believed him.

"Interesting. Sorry about your health though... Funny thing, I once was a student at Yatagarasu Nesuto too."

Shinichi grumbled inside his head.

No kidding...

"So if you ever feel you miss home or the language, you can talk in Japanese with me, if you want", Kaito switched to Japanese and smiled friendly.

"That's cool, thank you", he answered lamely, also in Japanese. Why is this guy acting so nice? Isn't he going to admonish me, as a teacher should?

"Now listen, I'm not gonna ask why you're out here, since I'm guessing you won't tell me the truth anyway. But I know you're new. I also know you were told there are rules here. One rule being, no strolling around after hours in the corridors. Understood?", he then continued.

Shinichi nodded and tried to stay calm.

There it is. Urgh, this is so humiliating... I hate how he talks to me, as if I'm actually a scrawny teenager. I'm the goddamn Headauror of Japan. People respect me. Some younger colleagues don't even dare to talk when I'm in the same room with them.

"Yes, professor", he said and tried to count to ten in his head.

Kaito smirked at him, hands in his pockets.

"Now off you go, back to bed where you belong", he said and made a casual, dismissive move with this head. Shinichi tried to shuffle away as fast as he could. If he could round the corner and put a silent disguising spell on himself fast enough, he could wait him out and then keep looking for the stone.

He was sure, that no-good thief was out to do the exact same thing right now... he couldn't let Kaito get away with this. Not this time. The stone needed to be kept safe in the ministry, where it would be locked away for good hopefully and only used as a scientific object, if even. In addition, the stone would put a target on Kaito's back like nothing else before... And too many people had died already by the hands of the shadows. Therefore, he had to find the stone first.

Shinichi knew him too well to mistake his casual stance for one second though. He could see the wheels in Kaito's head already turning and his eyes always gave him away. He was suspicious about him.

After Shinichi rounded the corner of the corridor, he slowed down his steps and waved his hand in a silent spell, to cloak himself. They were difficult to learn, but very useful in situations like these.

Then he heard Kaito yelp and turned around the corner again, wand in hand. He told himself, he wasn't worried about him... Just doing his job.

But then... Kaito huffed. And seemed to talk to another teacher?

"Damnit woman, I hate it when you do that! Why do you always have to creep up on me, Akako?", Kaito grumbled.

Shinichi's eyes widened in surprise and he crept back. Akako was here too?! He needed to report that to Amuro tomorrow first thing in the morning. At least this meant she wasn't in danger or kidnapped by the shadows...

"I'm never very far away, wherever you are, Kaito. Our fate is bound together, you should know that by now...", she replied smoothly with a charming smile.

Kaito made an irked sound.

"Urgh, are you still going on about this? I already told you, I'm not interested in you. Like... at all. I just helped you out as a friend, that's all."

He crossed his arms over his chest.

"One day, you will see my benefits, I'm sure... Until then, I came to warn you."

Kaito sighed and pinched his nose.

"A warning? Again? What, just because you are a divination teacher, you have to give out warnings and prophecies minutely now? Tell me, will my cocoa be too hot tomorrow and I'll burn my tongue? Shocker."

She snorted.

"No, you fool. There is a presence here. I can still feel it. Almost like a demon of sorts. A demon of light. A strange kind of magic surrounds them. I saw it in my fire rituals too. It's someone you already know. Even I think this energy is familiar, but still... different now, for some reason."

Shinichi's eyes widened and his heart was beating faster. She couldn't mean him, could she? Also the wording sounded familiar... where had he heard that before? He frowned.

Kaito seemed to think about her words too and hummed in thought.

"That doesn't really make sense... Also where is the danger in that?"

"This person will cross your path and hinder your plans many times. And I see shadows creeping up around you both. They are everywhere. This person is intertwined with these shadows too", she said, still in that warning tone.

Kaito sighed and rubbed over his face in clear exhaustion.

"Well uh- thanks? Any news on the uh- other subject I asked you about? You know, the really important one", he asked in a much more serious tone.

Now it was her turn to sigh, it seemed the topic was an old one. Shinichi's interest was piqued immediately.

"No, I'm sorry... Nothing new. It's always the same, even if you ask me daily now. But that's good, right? It means he's still-"

"Yeah, I know. Thanks", he interrupted her, a bit grumpily. He had clearly wanted to hear something different from her. What or whom were they talking about?

"Don't thank me. Just stay out of trouble and be safe... Although, if you want to take me out to Ms. Paddifoots as a thank you this weekend, I wouldn't say no. I hear it's the place where couples go here to have a date..."

"Hard pass. Goodnight~", Kaito answered promptly, falsely cheerful. Shinichi could hear her huff and her heels clack away on the stone floor. Then it was only the two of them again.

Kaito sighed and hummed in thought to himself.

"Where are you, damnit...", he could hear Kaito mumble and Shinichi sighed inwardly.

What was that all about? Was Akako a teacher here too? This whole undercover assignment just got way more complicated. He bit his lip. This was going to be harder than he initially thought...