I know it's extremely quick for me to update, but I need to. Because I get these ideas and motivation and if I don't write them done properly then I either forget them or lose motivation.
I'd also like to say a big thank you to those who reviewed. It really brought a smile to my face seeing them
IMPORTANT: I don't know what to do. I'd like to set this in 3rd year due to the Boggart, but the reason why I chose this one is cuz there's a nice gap to fit in Kaneki's time and all and also because of meeting Voldermort. But I feel like changing it. I NEED HELP. If there's a way to get the Boggart in Kaneki's 4th year then please tell me.
The walk to the common room was a tense one. The reunited Golden Trio were for once quiet as they lead their missing friend to his shared room to freshen up, Harr-Kaneki following quietly behind them, a faraway look in his eyes that disturbed them for some unknown reason. Ever since the talk in the Headmaster's office they were left with a mixture of emotions.
One emotion that stood out was sadness. Sadness at the tragic life their friend had to deal with alone at a young age; they couldn't comprehend the tyrant of emotions their friend was feeling. But that raised the question.
What really happened? Hermione can just tell that there's more to the story than just being abandoned in Tokyo and dealing with the high crime rate. He just seems too….indifferent? Scarred? Unaffected? She couldn't quite place it. He just seemed to be lacking any real emotion to have experienced such a tragedy. He seemed too calm, especially for someone who witness the death of a friend not even an hour ago.
'Perhaps he's just in shock?' Thought Hermione, but hesitantly dismissed that thought. He just didn't displayed the same signs as he would in shock. It was almost like it wasn't a big deal, like it wasn't the first death he's bared witness too.
The very though alone brought chills to Hermione. While Harry has witness things grown adults would wet their pants at; such as You-Know-Who, he came back the same as before. It makes Hermione curious as to what could've been worse to elect such a change to her friend. What could've been worst than facing You-Know-Who alone when you know next to nothing about the magical world?
Could Ha-Kaneki be lying? Was she right in her assumption that he didn't tell them of the true events? If so then why? Didn't he trust them anymore? Hermione wanted to confront him in private and ask, hoping that maybe he'd tell her the truth, seeing as she knew how to keep a secret; unlike Ron. But to be truthful, she's scared. He's changed so much that it frightens her and from what she could gather, she's not the only one affected by this sudden and unexpected change.
'Come on! Where's your Gryffindor courage? Just find an opportunity to speak to him alone and if he refuses to say just leave him be.' Hermione glanced forward, staring at the boy with white hair and blood stained clothes as he causally walks past other students like he didn't just walk away from death.
Even with the sudden and frightening change to her dear friend she still wanted to comfort him. He's obviously been through a lot and, knowing the Harry she knew, has kept his emotions bottled up. With her mind made up, she straightened herself and picked up her pace, swallowing down the sudden spike of uneasiness and walking beside her friend.
Kaneki's P.O.V.
Kaneki walked past groups of students with ease, not showing a hint of emotion on his features as he made his way along the familiar path to the Gryffindor common room. He could see the looked of unease and hesitation from the Ravenclaws, the looks of slight fear from the Hufflepuffs, confusion from the Gryffindor and sneers mixed with unease and confusion from the Slytherins as he walked by. Kaneki snorted to himself quietly. It'd have to take a lot more than Snape and Malfoy combined to make him care for what the student body do or say to him. After all, if he can undergo torture, being hacked and slashed at, and be hunted down as a dangerous SS ranked ghoul then they'd have to put in a lot more effort to make him feel even remotely uneasy.
He feels a sudden presence beside him and turns to look only to see Hermione, looking straight ahead and keeping up with his pace; a determined look in her eyes. Kaneki, slightly surprised to see his friend beside him, smiles slightly to himself. He just hopes this life will last with a much better outcome than his life in Tokyo.
As they reached the portrait of the Fat Lady, Hermione walked forward and spoke the password. Once open, he and Hermione entered with Ron following behind them, keeping his distance. In all honesty, Kaneki isn't even slightly surprised with his friends' actions. They'll have to talk sooner or later, though while Kaneki's heart clenched slightly at the thought of losing another friend, but for now he'll leave him be to let himself think.
"I don't know if there will be fresh clothes ready for you in your dorm, but if not you'll just have to borrow some else's." Said Hermione. "You better hurry. We have classes in 5 minutes." Kaneki nodded, and went to where he vaguely remembered his shared dorm, Ron following awkwardly behind him.
Once there, to his relief, were fresh set of the school uniform laid out on his vacant bed. Kaneki went and grabbed his school robes and made his way to the shower. Once the bathroom door was locked shut behind him, Kaneki took no time in taking off his blood stained clothes, wanting to quickly get rid of them. The smell of blood was affecting him, and to make matters worse; it's Hide's blood as well as his own. As he starts the shower, Kaneki does a quick double check over himself, noting that his wounds are already healed, nothing left but a pink scar in its place. Shrugging, Kaneki got into the shower and washed away the evidence of tonight.
Ron's P.O.V.
"Does he seem different to you?" Asked Ron in a whisper, afraid that Kaneki would hear them.
"Yeah. He just seems too calm for someone who lived a life like his."
"Shock?"
"I thought that too, but he doesn't display the usual signs of someone in shock." Whispered Hermione back.
"Do you think what he told us was the truth?"
"..I don't know. I doubt he'd purposely lie to us, but it does seem like he's hiding something."
"Did you see how he stilled when Snape mentioned about the crime rate? Do you think that perhaps there's more to it than just a bad crime rate? Because I don't know about you, but there has to be more to it for the government to forbid travel."
Hermione bit her lip in deep thought. "Now that I think about it, this isn't the first time I've heard about these "Wards". I knew that travel was forbidden but it wasn't due to the crime rate. There was another reason I believe but I can't put my finger on it!" Sighed Hermione in frustration.
Just then Kaneki exited the shower, dressed in his school robes, the eyes patch back over his left eye and a towel draped over his head, drying his white hair.
Kaneki's P.O.V.
"What class have you got first, Hermione?" Asked Kaneki in a bored tone as he continues to dry his hair.
"Transfiguration with the Slytherins." Ron groaned.
"Great, now we'll have to deal with their narky comments all lesson. What's the bet Malfoy will try and have a go at you."
Kaneki smirked slightly. "Don't worry about them, just let me deal with it." Ron stared at him like he'd gone and grown a second head.
"Are you mad, mate? You know how much of a git Malfoy is, it's not a good idea to "leave him to you", knowing him he'll run off and tell his dad some made up tell-tale and we'll have that lady writing all sought of stories about you in no time."
"I agree with Ron, it's not a good idea to even talk to him, especially with your sudden appearance." Said a nervous Hermione. Kaneki, obviously, wasn't going to let Malfoy get his way, but he'll play nice for as far as his tolerance will allow him to go. Of course, when he says 'play nice', he really means 'I won't brutally punch you'.
So for now, Kaneki just nodded at Hermione, who smiled with relief, while Ron visibly relaxed.
"Oh! We better hurry or else we'll be late to class!" With that said Hermione reached out and grabbed both boys by their sleeves and dragged them out of the common room and towards their Transfiguration classroom. Kaneki, when Hermione suddenly began dragging him, nearly hurled her across the room on instinct, but managed to refrain himself before he could begin to pull her.
Once they reached outside of the classroom, Kaneki notices everyone's attention turning to him as all goes silent. Kaneki just stood a couple of metres away and takes in all the old faces he remembers. They'd changed so much yet so little compared to himself.
"Harry? Is it really you?" Asked Seamus tentatively, breaking the silence.
"His name is Kaneki now." Butted in Ron before Kaneki could even open his mouth, though Kaneki didn't really mind.
"Kaneki? What kind of stupid name is that?" Came a very familiar and irritating voice amongst the group of Slytherins. The group parted, revealing Malfoy and his two goons behind him on either side; snickering at Malfoys comment. "And what's up with the hair? Didn't get enough attention so you decided to become more of a freak and dye your hair?"
The group of Slytherins snickered at the jab, while the Gryffindors remained silent; not knowing what to think of Kaneki. But he didn't stop there.
"I noticed that you were covered in blood before, Potter. What'd you do? Kill someone? Is that why you ran back to Hogwarts? So you could run from your crimes?"
'Oh you have no idea.' Smirked Kaneki.
Ron was about to make a comment back but Kaneki calmly laid a hand on his shoulder and gave him a look, one that made it very clear to shut up, which Ron did immediately.
Once Kaneki was sure that Ron wouldn't do anything stupid, he turned around and gave Malfoy an eerily impassive stare. Malfoy's smirk faltered, not expecting this kind of reaction from the Golden Boy of Gryffindor. And with an almost bored tone, Kaneki spoke in an uninterested voice. One which echoed eerily off the corridor walls.
"Good to see you again, Malfoy-san. I hope you haven't been causing my friends grief during my absences." Students looked at each other in confusion at the odd name Kaneki added at the end of Draco's name, whilst others were confused at his sudden 180 degrees change in personality from when they last saw him. Malfoy, on the other hand, shivered slightly. It wasn't the voice that got him, but the look in his eyes. While he speaks in a bored tone, his eyes speak a different story; a hidden threat. And for once in his life Malfoy was unsure whether it was a good idea to continue.
Malfoy, seeing the looks of confusion in the eyes of both Slytherins and Gryffindors, disregarded the uneasiness.
"Since when do you care? After all, didn't you leave without a word? If you really cared then you would've told them. But, then again I can understand why you'd leave without a word. After all, who'd want to be friends with an idiot who has more simblings than money and a mudblood?" Malfoy smirked when he saw the looks of rage on Ron's and the Gryffindor's faces, but the smile dropped when he saw that Kaneki didn't look the least affected. Instead, he laid a calm hand on Ron's shoulder again, and slowly, walked towards Malfoy with a deathly calm about him.
Kaneki stopped, with only a couple of inched between the two and gave Malfoy a glare that he reserved for his enemies. Malfoy paled, eyes widen in fear as Kaneki emitted killer intent, but only a small amount so that Malfoy would be the only one to pick up on it. A crack emitted loudly through the corridor as Kaneki cracked his middle finger with his thumb; causing everyone to flinch.
"I advise, for your own safety, that you shut up. It'd be a shame if something were to happen to you so soon after my arrival." Kaneki then lowered his voice to a whisper, leaning in closer to Malfoys ear so that only he could hear. "Do or say anything to my friends again and I'll break half of your bones slowly, after all I can't have you dying on me now can I? Understood?" Malfoy starts shaking, but manages a nod in response; too afraid to speak.
Kaneki pulls back and smiles, acting like he didn't just threaten Malfoy a few seconds ago.
"What's going on here?" Asked Professor McGonagall as she stalks up the corridor, noticing the lack of talking from the rivalled houses.
"Nothing, I was just conversing with Malfoy-san here." Responded Kaneki evenly, sparing a glance over to McGonagall. McGonagall looked down at Malfoy, who was pale and shaking slightly. Kaneki, noticing McGonagall staring at Malfoy, spoke up again. "Isn't that right, Malfoy-san. We were just catching up." At Kaneki's addressing to him, Malfoy jumped slightly; seemingly as if he just noticed that their teacher was with them.
"Y-yeah. We were j-just tal-lking." Stuttered Malfoy, earning worried glances from his fellow housemates.
McGonagall pursed her lips before deciding to drop it, leaving it be for now, seeing as there are no signs of a fight and that Malfoy didn't admit to anything. McGonagall briskly walked over to the door and opened the classroom, letting the students to file in and take their seats. Hermione grabbed Kaneki and Ron by their robes again and dragged them off to a corner.
"What on earth did you say to him!?" Whispered Hermione in a harsh whisper.
"That was bloody brilliant mate! I've never seen Malfoy so scared in my life! What did you say to him?"
"Ron!"
"What?"
"I thought we told you not to listen to Malfoy." Continued Hermione, when she didn't get an answer, she tried again. "What did you say to him anyway?"
Kaneki looked Hermione in the eyes for a few seconds, judging whether or not he should tell her the truth or not. He seriously doubt that Hermione will take the truth well. Kaneki, deciding that now wasn't a good time to talk about it with so many prying ears, pointed to the front of the class and informed Hermione that the lesson is beginning.
"We'll talk about it later." She quickly told him before turning around to face the front.
OoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoO
At the end of the lesson, students rushed out of their Transfiguration classroom. Kaneki trailed behind Hermione at his own pace.
"So, what's next?" He asked, gazing at her from the corner of his eye.
"Um, Divination with the Ravenclaws."
"Great. One good class after another." Came Ron's sarcastic comment, rolling his eyes in despair. "I wonder if she'll still predict your death." Commented Ron.
That's something Kaneki had forgotten about. Trelawney and her absurd death predictions. Though, to be honest he's not really surprised that he'd forgotten about her. But then again, his life as a ghoul led him to deaths door a number of times so it's easy for him to brush of fake death predictions. Because the life of a ghoul is a life of death.
Just as Kaneki made his way inside the classroom he doubled over and began coughing, covering his nose. Another thing he's forgotten is the unhealthy amount of incense the bug-like woman lit in the classroom, and with his ghoul enhanced senses the smell burns.
"Harry, mate, are you okay?" Came Ron's worried voice from his left. Kaneki fast walked towards the window on the other side of the classroom and pushed it open, sticking his head out and inhaling deeply; clearing his senses. As he continues to hang his head out the window, Kaneki heard Hermione scolding Ron.
"It's Kaneki, Ron." He then heard light footfall behind him and judging by the smell, it was Hermione.
"Kaneki, are you okay?" She asked quietly, but Kaneki heard her just find. Pulling his head inside the window, but still resting it in the edge of the wall, Kaneki smiled reassuringly up at Hermione.
"I'm okay. The smell of incense just bombarded me is all." He assured. Hermione gives him a slight critical look before nodding and sitting down beside him, Ron taking a spot beside her. As Kaneki regained himself, he could literally feel all eyes on the back of his head; analysing him. He could even hear them whisper in their groups about all the rumours they've heard about him. Kaneki sighed quietly to himself and closed his eye, his body starting to grow tired from the different time zones.
"Good morning class!" Came a shrill voice from the entrance, causing Kaneki to snap open his eye, eye darting around, looking for any signs of a threat. He calmed down when he noticed that it was Trelawney as she walked to the front of the classroom. Kaneki calmed down his heartbeat, mentally kicking himself for nearly jumping up and getting into a crouch. It was a habit that formed on its own whenever he brought out his Kagune or when about to engage in a fight.
Just as Kaneki's heart reached a normal beat and was about to close his eye again, a finger was suddenly thrusted in his face, pointing in his direction; Trelawney looking at him with a fearful, yet sad expression.
"You! You poor child! It must have been difficult living such a life of death and bloodshed!" Now that got Kaneki's attention, and by the looks of it after casting a quick glance around the classroom, it had gained everyone else's attention as well.
"Um, Professor, but what are you talking about?" Asked Cho. But Trelawney ignored her, still facing Kaneki. She took a step closer, looking at Kaneki with…was that pity?
"My dear child. It must be hard, living a life with one foot in two worlds." Kaneki's eyes widened in shock. Never in his entire life did he expect Trelawney, a fraud at Divination, to be able to see Kaneki's life so easily. And to look at him like that? It reminded him of….Hide.
Kaneki's expression gained one of pure shock and sadness, causing murmurs to emit from the class as students watched on at the odd display. It was obvious, even to Ron, that whatever Trelawney had said obviously hit something deep inside of Kaneki.
In a matter of seconds the expression was gone, now in its place is the bored look of indifference that Hermione and Ron are slowly growing familiar with.
"Is that so?" Said Kaneki, staring right into Trelawney's eyes. As the seconds ticked by it was obvious Trelawney was growing increasingly uncomfortable, and as the seconds reached minutes she looked away; resuming with the lesson as if nothing had occurred. The students continued to whisper and Kaneki just knew that Hogwarts rumour mill will be at work within a few minutes; sprouting ludicrous stories far from the truth.
A quick glance to the side showed Hermione biting at her lip, a thoughtful expression on her face and Ron glancing at Kaneki every so often. Kaneki sighed. Not even lunch time and a bit of his life in Tokyo has been revealed. Though, Kaneki prays that due to the fact that it's Trelawney, that the students take no notice. But, judging by Hermione's expression, he'll have to be real careful around her. Hermione is smart and very perspective; any more clues and she'll be able to piece together the evidence.
After Divination, the trio made their way to the Great Hall for lunch, it was only then when Kaneki was standing out front of the Great Hall did he remember.
"Come on, mate. Why you standing there? I'm starving." Said Ron.
"I'm not hungry." Came Kaneki's lame reply. Hermione and Ron furrowed their eyebrows together in confusion.
"Are you sure? You feeling well?" Asked a worried Hermione. Kaneki nodded.
"I'm fine, it's just the different time zones is all." Hermione nodded her head, a look of understanding and realisation washing over her features. Ron just watched in confusion before shaking his head and making his way towards the Gryffindor table
"Alright, but perhaps you should still join us anyway, just in case you get hungry." Suggested Hermione and Kaneki nodded, having nothing better to do while he waits. As he sits down at the Gryffindor table, Ron and Hermione on either side of him, he can't help but notice the stares he's receiving from all 4 houses; including from the 2 foreign schools. As Kaneki sat there, staring at the wooden table in front of him, blocking out the whispers of Hogwarts rumour mill; he begins to plan ahead.
'Last I've eaten was a few weeks ago, so I should be fine for a month or so. But I won' be able to put on a sick act forever, so I'll just have to eat as little as possible without raising suspicion. But even then I'll need to find some meat to sustain me. Looks like I'll just have to travel down to the village outside of Hogwarts at night and kill someone in their sleep.'
Kaneki was dragged out of his thoughts by a frantic shake of his shoulders. Startled slightly, Kaneki looks up to see a frantic Hermione.
"We're going to be late for Potions!" She exclaims grabbing Ron and Kaneki and dragging them off towards their next class together. They made it to class at lighting speeds, but not fast enough. Right when they reached the entrance to their classroom, Professor Snape pounced on them.
"10 points each from Gryffindor for lateness. Take a seat." Hermione gloomily took her seat, Ron right behind her grumbling to himself about unfairness. Kaneki remained standing up the front, looking around the classroom for a seat.
"Potter, hurry up and take your seat before I take more points off you." Sneered Snape, looking down on Kaneki.
Kaneki looked at Snape with a sharp look, one filled with malice. Malfoy he could handle; for he is merely a lost boy who is easily twisted into his father's image. Snape of the other hand unnecessarily bullied students without interference of anyone else.
"It's Kaneki, sensai, and I'd greatly appreciate it if you'd do something right for once in your life and remember something as simple as a name." Said Kaneki with an obvious bite to his voice; cracking his fingers with a penetrating crack before slowly making his way to an empty bench and sitting down next to Neville, who gaped at him with a look of awe. All the while Snape watched with a look of unease, before clearing his throat and continuing on with the lesson.
Once the instructions were written up on the board and Neville collected their ingredients, they got to work.
"Harry." Came a whisper to his left. Kaneki looked over to see Neville glancing over every few seconds while also keeping an eye on Snape.
"It's Kaneki." Replied Kaneki evenly, knowing Neville was a shy and forgetful boy, so he didn't put any bite or negativity in his tone.
Neville blushed. "S-sorry. I just wanted to ask how you did that."
Kaneki raised an eyebrow in Neville's direction.
"How did you stand up to Snape so easily? How'd you even get Snape to look so unease easily?" Whispers Neville while cutting up his ingredients.
Kaneki continued to side glance at Neville before turning back to stirring the ingredients.
"People tend to change over time." Was his reply, not wanting to go into too much detail. Neville looked at Kaneki with an unreadable expression before he was pulled out of his musing by a towering shadow. Well, towering to Neville anyway.
"Mr Longbottom, what do you think you're doing?" Drawled Snape as he stared down at Neville.
"Cutting the ingredients?" Questioned Neville meekly.
"And what did you do wrong?"
Neville looked down searching for his mistake. "I cut the ingredients the wrong way." He said quietly.
"5 point from Gryffindor." Said Snape as he vanished Kaneki and Neville's potions, earning a few snickers from the Slytherin's, only to be silenced by a sharp look from Kaneki.
"I'm sorry." Muttered a downcast Neville.
Kaneki hummed to himself. "Don't be, it was simply an accident. Snape-sensai just has no morals." Said Kaneki.
Neville looked up. "Why do you say that?"
Kaneki looked at Neville with a raised eyebrow. "What do you mean?"
"Why do you add weird words at the end of people's names?"
"Oh, they're honorifics. In Japan, it's custom to add them at the end of one's name to show either their relation to you or to show respect. Sensai is simply the honorific for teacher." Neville made an 'o' with his mouth, a look of amazement flashed in his eyes.
"You were in Japan?" Kaneki nodded. But before he could ask any more questions, the bell went, signalling the end of Potions. Kaneki got up quickly, but not too quickly as to draw attention; not wanting to answer anymore of Neville's questions. He was quickly joined by Hermione and Ron as they made their way out of the dungeons.
"Where are you going, 'Mione?" Asked Ron when Hermione went to walk in the opposite direction to the common room.
"Oh, I was planning on going down to the library, there was something I wanted to look up." She answered, before hurrying down to the library. Kaneki narrowed his eye slightly at Hermione's retrieving form. He wasn't an idiot, and neither was Hermione. Something in his gut tells him that Hermione was going to do some research on something Kaneki mentioned. He just hopes that it isn't something important he accidentally let slip. But the down side is, even if it isn't important; Hermione can piece together a large puzzle with only the help of a few small hints.
"Come on, Kaneki. Let's go to the common room and get some of this homework done, I could even try and help you catch up a bit." Offered Ron sheepishly. Kaneki nodded his head in agreement, following his friend back to the common room.
Oh my God I was listening to the Tokyo Ghoul soundtracks Unravel (Acoustic) and Yutaka Yamada and was nearly crying cuz all I could think about was Hide's death
