Notes 1: I'm gonna mash the rules concerning ages/age-restriction because I can't remember when students are allowed to do stuff. I'm just gonna say the Classics Club joined at age 16?

Notes 2: Chitanda's mentioned but mostly absent in this one-shot.

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the skeletons that allow your imagination

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ii

said the sky

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headcanon credit: xevos

…

headcanons

- Houtarou and Mayaka are childhood friends who grew up together as next-door neighbours (friendship focus)

- The Kaburaya trio 'split up' because Houtarou ends up in Hufflepuff while Mayaka and Satoshi are in Gryffindor

- I-won't-admit-I'm-disappointed-that-we're-in-different houses trope

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"HUFFLEPUFF!" The too-large-for-his-head sorting hat yells.

Cheering erupts, and with wide green eyes, Houtarou attempts to look around the great hall from his seat. He realises it's a failed attempt when the hat continues blocking his view from the floating candles, tapestries on the wall and flying owls.

Houtarou swears his heart is still thumping madly in his chest, loud enough for the whole mass of people to hear, but all of that is ignored when a professor lifts the sorting hat off (it was threatening to swallow his head whole anyway) and nudges Houtarou off the chair.

"Off you go, love." A professor says.

For a moment, the only thing Houtarou can do is nod, try to slow his breathing and not shake from the excitement and anxiety attacking his nerves.

But, after the moment is over, he realises what's just happened. Houtarou finds his gaze flitting to two kids, a familiar pair – his childhood friends: Mayaka and Satoshi. They seem so far away, across the hall; sitting together, sitting with other students from their own house.

Houtarou bites his lower lip, following the professor's encouragement as he heads towards the Hufflepuff table. The applause continues. Though, the clapping students seem to be the only ones happy about Houtarou's sorting.

Now a table away, all Houtarou can do is wrinkle his nose; a signal to his friends, an attempt to express his irritation. Satoshi responses by shrugging half-heartedly, a 'What can you do?' reads on his face.

Mayaka, on the other hand, looks stone-y. From an outsider's point of view, Mayaka may seem unmoved and indifferent. But, Houtarou can tell Mayaka's less than pleased. Disappointed, even. How can she be anything but that? After all, the trio of friends have been separated by a magical, talking head-piece!

;;

The first week at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry is spent familiarising oneself with the castle, school grounds and rules rather than starting classes immediately – Orientation Week, if you must. It makes sense considering how old, weird and wonderful the place is.

Mayaka's been a first year student for three whole days now, yet the memory of having her name called, being sorted and handed her house uniform is still fresh in her mind. She remembers her palms sweating, her heart slamming in her chest, the feeling of giddiness and nervousness, and after – absolute relief when the sorting hat had told her she was in Gryffindor with Fuku-chan. But then …

But then, Oreki had to ruin everything by getting sorted into the wrong house. It's like he intentionally wanted to spoil her day! How dare he break the Kaburaya trio by being himself! They grew up together, things can't end now! Why – all good things come in threes; Genie wishes and primary colours and – oh! They were supposed to be the next Golden Trio!

Shifting in her seat, Mayaka leans to Satoshi, "Hey, Fuku-chan, can I ask you a question?"

Satoshi stops stuffing his face, "Yeah, sure."

Mayaka swallows, pausing from her meal and asks, "Are students allowed to sit with other students from different houses or are we restricted to only sit in our own house?"

"Um, I don't know. I mean, I've read the rulebook trice; it doesn't say anything about not being able to sit with friends. I don't see the harm in sitting with others," Satoshi answers, but something shines behind his brown eyes. "However, I've heard that Hogwarts does have some unspoken rules." He says, causing Mayaka to raise a brow. "Apparently, there are some things that are frowned upon."

"Like?"

"This might be a stretch but – being friends with a Slytherin."

"What? Why? They're just people like us."

"I know, I know. I'm opposed to the idea too, but, Mayaka, you must understand – this is an age-old rivalry. No matter what, there's always going to be this competitiveness between Gryffindors and Slytherins."

"Even if we choose not to get involved?" Mayaka asks, craning her neck to look at kids in green and silver robes.

Satoshi nods. "I don't think we get a say in these sorts of things. There are just certain taboos we have to follow."

A crease folds between Mayaka's eyebrows. "That sounds so stupid." She says, not afraid to voice her opinion.

Satoshi hums, choosing not to say anything. Then, after pausing to take a sip of water, he asks, "Why? What's up?"

Mayaka's gaze darts from her food to the table decorated in yellow and black. "I wanted to know if we could get Oreki to sit with us during meals."

"Ah,"

It's just … for the past couple of days, Houtarou's looked rather lonely during meals. He hasn't really talked to anyone. Or rather, he doesn't talk period. Instead, people go up to him. If there is an interest of having a conversation, another student has to start it, not Houtarou. And someone has – a girl with long black hair and large purple eyes. However, she seems to be the only person attempting to talk to Houtarou. Other than that, he keeps to himself and read his paperbacks.

From what Mayka's seen and the knowledge she's gathered, she knows students are supposed to sit with their houses. It's the general norm for an individual to sit with their own kind, but Mayaka wants more than that. She's seen a few kids from other houses sit together to do homework or get up to talk to each other. She doesn't think sitting with other houses is bad, Hogwarts shouldn't be too strict about seating.

"Do you think we can bend the rules a bit? Get Oreki to eat at the same table with us?" Mayaka asks, a genuine question.

Satoshi thinks for a moment, a spoonful of pudding now in his mouth. "For the sake of no clumping of students at one table and for all the food to be distributed evenly, it doesn't look like it."

Mayaka feels her jaw clench. "I see."

Satoshi puts down his spoon, feeling a storm growing in Makaya's tiny body. He stares at her. "You don't care, do you?"

"No, I don't."

.

.

.

"Oreki!"

Houtarou's green eyes shoot up from his book. Wait – what?

"Oreki!" The voice yells louder.

Houtarou turns his head, trying to find the source, he recognises the voice but it's difficult finding Mayaka considering how big the hall is, how tall most of the senior students are and how short she is.

"Houtarou, over here!" Satoshi's voice anchors Houtarou's gaze towards him and Mayaka at the Gryffindor table. Satoshi is waving his arm dramatically in the air like a sailor drowning at sea. Or maybe, he's just having a seizure?

"Come sit with us!" Mayaka says. Or, at least, that's what Houtarou thinks she's saying. He's can't actually hear her, he's watching her mouth move and reading her lips.

'Can I?' He's lips move but no words come out, he's too embarrassed to be caught asking such a question. What if he can't and it turns out to be a basic rule everyone but him knows?

"Come on, Houtarou!" Satoshi yells, patting an empty spot beside him on the long bench.

People are staring and Houtarou is sure the whole hall knows his name now. His free hand grabs a fistful of his sleeve. Roses bloom on his cheeks but, there's no point backing out now, is there?

Moving away from the huge doors, Houtarou makes his way towards the foreign table and slides into the seat, sitting between Mayaka and Satoshi. He feels ... weird. Sort of out of place. He tucks his paperback into the inner pockets of his robes just to do something.

"Dig in." Satoshi gestures to the food laid out in front of them and Houtarou hesitates.

"Um." He mutters. What if he eats and causes a shortage for the Gryffindor students who want extra? What if someone yells at him? What if he causes the Hufflepuff house to lose points?

"Eat." Mayaka urges, like she's reading his thoughts. She plops down a spoonful of mash potatoes on Houtarou's plate before he can even protest. Satoshi eats a chicken leg just to prove a point.

"I –"

"Eat." Mayaka repeats. "Don't waste food."

Houtarou blinks. He doesn't know the rules well enough. It makes sense for Mayaka and Satoshi to urge him to do something so daring. Gryffindors are known to be chivalrous and determined – and the trait that stands out the most is their bravery.

But, despite the weariness, Houtarou mirrors Satoshi and eats, because, above his anxiousness and reluctances to make a scene, Houtarou trusts Mayaka. He trusts Satoshi too. He trusts his friends.

;;

Houtarou can still feel eyes on him despite having sat at the same table for two straight days now. It shouldn't be seen as strange though, Houtarou swears he saw a Slytherin boy eating with his Ravenclaw friend and a mixed group of people at the Hufflepuff table.

"Come hang out with us at the common room." Mayaka says as they leave the great hall and walk down the corridors.

Houtarou raises a brow at Mayaka's demand. "Who's common room?" He asks.

"Who's else?" Mayaka shoots back. She gestures to her and Satoshi, who has his nose buried in a thick book he found at the library. "Ours; the Gryffindor common room."

"The Gryffindor –" Houtarou can't even finish his sentence. "No way."

"Why not?" Mayaka asks, there's a bite in her tone.

"Because it's far and all the way up a tower, I'm not going to climb all those stairs, I don't even live there." Houtarou answers. "If you want to hang out, come to the Hufflepuff common room," He wants to add 'It's closer', but instead says, "It's by the kitchen, the elves will give us snacks."

He's ready to stand his ground. Houtarou expects Mayaka to put up a fight, and for Satoshi to drag his eyes away from factful pages to intervene between the two. So, imagine Houtarou's surprise when Mayaka lets the argument roll off her shoulder.

"Okay." She answers.

"O – Okay?" Houtarou stares.

"Yeah, 'okay'. Why do you sound so shocked? You suggested it. You can't backtrack after suggesting snacks."

"I'm not backtracking, I just –"

"You just what?" Mayaka asks and it feels like they're nine again and bantering over the silliest things.

Houtarou rolls his green eyes, something Mayaka catches but let's slide because – well, why not? He tells her, "I didn't think you'd agree," like he hasn't known her his whole life, like they didn't live next door to each other for years and years, like she wouldn't know what he's saying with just one look.

Mayaka says, "Don't be stupid, of course, I would agree." And doesn't add an unspoken sentence mounting on her tongue, 'You can't get rid of me that easily, Slug.'

.

.

.

Satoshi's attention is wrestled away from his book when the clock strives eight PM, and that's only because Satoshi can't contain himself any longer. He goes on a long rant about his findings in the book, about fantastic creatures discovered by Miss Luna (nee Lovegood) Scamander.

Houtarou is the one to send Mayaka a look. It's clear that they're both high-key exasperated with Satoshi but they care for him and only want the best so they let him be – he goes on and on for what seemed like forever – lingering around one beast in particular.

The rambling is only broken when Houtarou almost breaks out laughing after Mayaka says, "Fuku-chan, I think I spotted Fairy Nargles around your drawstring collection," and that's when they take a moment to throw pillows at each other before drinking hot chocolate made by the house elves.

;;

Houtarou stares at his timetable as the three continue walking down the corridors together. He's got a vague idea of where his classes are, but the moving staircase seems to be the biggest obstacle, one misstep and he knows he'll be late or end up on the wrong floor.

Mayaka casts a gaze at Houtarou's schedule and tries to act casual while asking, "Do you think we'll have classes together?"

"Hmm, probably not as much as we like. Gryffindors and Hufflepuffs don't usually share many classes together." Satoshi's the one to answer, his brain filled with useless knowledge. "Gryffindors are often paired up with Slytherins while Ravenclaws and Hufflepuffs are lumped together."

Houtarou makes a humming sound, noise emitting from the back of his throat as he continues staring at the printed paper, and Mayaka wonders how Houtarou's not be disappointed by this fact (Mayaka just cares. About Houtarou. No matter what layer it may be).

"Let me look at your timetable." She says.

"What? Why?" Houtarou asks – this is the only thing he can think of saying to Mayaka's demand.

Unfortunately, Houtarou never gets his answer because Mayaka grabs the paper out of his hands without another word and studies it. The action's so forceful that it almost feels like they're fighting over the last chocolate frog (not that he's had experience, mind you).

Leaning away, Houtarou shoots Satoshi a quizzical look. He doesn't get much of a response from his friend because not even two seconds later Mayaka shoves Houtarou's timetable schedule back to him – tiny hands slam to his chest. Ow.

"It looks like Gryffindors and Hufflepuffs share classes every day – three on Wednesdays, two on Mondays and Fridays. Tuesdays and Thursdays are the days we only have one class together." Mayaka says, a pen now magically in her other hand. When did that get there? Wait – that's his good pen!

"Lucky us." Satoshi says, but it's a comment that's ignored.

"I've underlined the classes we share, save a seat for us, okay?" Mayaka tells Houtarou.

He can tell she means it. He can tell she'll get mad if he doesn't. Her voice is sharp and her eyes are burning shocking pink. Houtarou doesn't even dare pull a face in protest because he knows that he cannot say 'no'.

"I promise I will." He says and means it as well.

;;

"Do you think Ibara's gotten bossier since we arrived at Hogwarts?" Houtarou asks Satoshi as he doodles the side of his parcel paper.

Satoshi lifts his chin from his open palm and looks around the library with caution – afraid Mayaka will sneak into his view and pull out her larch wand – until Satoshi remembers that Mayaka's busy. Looks like he won't need to pull out his own wand; dogwood, but still clever and dazzling for performing serious magic.

The short girl is currently trying for a spot on the Gryffindor Quidditch team. Mayaka's always had an interest in the sport and is aiming for the position of one of the Beaters. She told both boys to not come because the last thing she wants is "Oreki's bad luck to spread"; her words, not his. But, in truth, Houtarou's pretty sure that Mayaka's just embarrassed and doesn't want her closest friends seeing her fail (though, the odds of her not making the team is slim, she has the skill and talent).

A snort escapes from Satoshi's mouth, but he covers it quickly to not get needle glares from students who are studying. "To you? Yes. But to me? No. She hasn't acted any differently."

Houtarou pulls a face, and a grin stretches on Satoshi's mouth.

"I bet you're wondering why." Satoshi enquiries.

Houtarou replies by shrugging.

"I'm a database, I can't come up with any conclusions. But, I think I may have a hunch." Satoshi says, waving a finger. "Of course, the three of us are best friends but between the two of you, you and Mayaka have maintained a special kind of relationship. A friendly rivalry, if you will. I expect no less from Mayaka to act this way, after all, she's disappointed."

Disappointed? Anyone with eyes can tell Houtarou that!

"Not by you, don't get me wrong. You know what I mean, don't you, Houtarou? I'm just saying, no hard feelings."

"I'm not blind, Satoshi, I can tell Ibara's less than pleased that we got separated by the sorting hat." Houtarou continues frowning, he wished Satoshi would just get straight to the point.

"Then, you should also know that she's only acting this way because she misses you."

Houtarou almost chokes on air. "She misses me?"

"Yeah, you. She just doesn't want to say it." Satoshi replies.

"You're joking." Houtarou accuses.

Satoshi shakes his head. "I'm not. Mayaka wants to spend time with you. She doesn't want to make it obvious though, so she hides it by trying to act demanding. Why do you think she's always telling you what to do? If she doesn't initiate anything then Merlin knows when you'll notice the sudden gap and start something."

"Yeah, well, I'm noted now, I guess." Houtarou huffs, scribbling on his paper harder. "But, there's a high chance Ibara will make it on the Quidditch team so she'll have even less time to spend time with me."

"Oh-ho, so you have noticed!"

"Again, I'm not blind."

"Jealous?" Satoshi teases.

"Of a sport, please?"

"You can always cheer for her during her matches, you know? I know I will."

Houtarou squeezes his eyebrows together. "You're asking for too much, I don't have that much energy to spend."

;;

It's too quiet for a Sunday morning. Houtarou glances around his corner of his shared dorm; his sheets are plain, books piled around the foot of his bed, the moving pictures that he's stuck on the wall are playing in an endless loop.

He stares at one that's faded and worn around the edges. He remembers that day – Tomoe had written the date on the back in ink, followed by the reason why she had forced Houtarou and Mayaka to stand for the picture. The two go way back, they've known each other since preschool and Mayaka would visit his house almost every day. Long story short: they've been classmates every year without fail and actually witness each other perform magic for the first time.

It used to be a running joke that they had set each other off. Mayaka would scold him at times when he wasn't careful enough, saying, "You're too careless!" and Houtarou would retort, "You started it!" – because, she did! When they were five, Mayaka had accidentally set a chair on fire during recess and Houtarou had been the only one to see it. In his panic, he had conjured a raincloud that doused the entire room. They had decided to never speak of the incident until Houtarou caused the class garden to grow wildly out of control, it could have crushed Mayaka if she hadn't floated in the air last minute – and that might have been the start of their strange rivalry/friendship.

Houtarou can honestly say, they share an odd history. But, they are no longer as harsh with each other, instead light banter and playful remarks get thrown around.

And, just like that, Houtarou realises; he misses her too. He misses being around Mayaka (who may or may not arguably be his best friend – despite it being very obvious and despite Satoshi saying it many, many times). And the feeling of missing Mayaka is not a sudden crashing feeling either. It's been building up for a while.

When the sorting hat had separated them, it's not like he didn't feel anything, because he did (he's not emotionally detached)! It's not that he's not disappointed too, because he is! It's just – when he and Mayaka see each other for potions or divination (which he loathes but excels at) or any other class it's like nothing between them ever changed and all is right again.

"I should do something."

Pulling himself from the bed, Houtarou prepares himself to climb some stairs.

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.

.

"Where's Ibara?" Houtarou asks as he walks into the Gryffindor common room.

Nobody questions his presence anymore; most of the students are used to him by now, lounging around the chairs or doing homework. It's no surprise when Houtarou's around, he's walked into the Gryffindor common room a remarkable amount of times because Mayaka keeps forgetting to return his good pens – sometimes Houtarou thinks it's all a plot to make him visit her (not that he minds, but, stairs).

Satoshi blinks, looking up from his textbook, he's really been avoiding doing homework and is finishing things last minute. "She told me she would be practising on the Quidditch field."

Houtarou feels his eye twitch. "Where?" He wants to pretend he misheard Satoshi but he's actually double checking.

"The Quidditch field." Satoshi repeats.

A frown forms on Houtarou's mouth. So he came all the way here (down long halls and climbed all those damn steps) for nothing?

"Okay." He says.

A calmness surrounds him. Then –

"Wait – where are you going?!"

"Out for a walk!" Came Houtarou's reply.

He flies down the stairs, taking two steps at the time. Who thought it was a good idea to put the Gryffindor chambers on the top of a tower? He. is. struggling for breath as he descends the spiral staircase. Houtarou feels like his world is spinning out of control. This is torture – this is a workout – Houtarou can't believe he's running for Mayaka Ibara.

.

.

.

Houtarou's green eyes flit across to Mayaka who's still in her Quidditch uniform. He will not lie, looking at Mayaka's face – that's still red from flying – makes him feel tired out too, like he's feeling what she's feeling. If he were in her shoes, Houtarou's sure his arms would feel like noodles, or probably fallen off.

He gives Mayaka a small salute for her endless energy when she spots him. The sight of Houtarou casually loitering around such a place …

For his gesture, he earns a strange look and a raised eyebrow in return. She asks him, "What are you doing here, Slug?"

"Nothing." Houtarou answers and falls into step with Mayaka (something that should be impossible considering her tiny legs and his long ones) as they make their way back to the castle.

Mayaka frowns, a look of suspicion still cast over her face, and Houtarou is reminded of the Beater bat in her small fist (her broom is nowhere in sight).

"Fine," He huffs. "I was taking a walk."

"Around the Quidditch arena?" Mayaka asks.

She knows him – and the arena – well. The place is huge, there is no way that Houtarou Oreki's voluntarily putting that much effort into walking that many steps. Plus, it's Winter time, it's cold! Mayaka knows for a fact that Houtarou's favourite Winter past time is snuggling under the covers, not walking in the snow! What's up?

"I didn't walk the whole way. Only a quarter." He shrugs, pretending to be disinterested.

"Were you watching me?" She asks.

"No, that's creepy." Houtarou replies. He buries the lower part of his chin behind his bright yellow Hufflepuff scarf. Then, he adds softly, "But, a few of your moves did catch my eye."

"Which move?"

He lifts a shoulder again, still trying to play it cool, "When you did that loop-de-loop. I even clapped, if that makes you feel better."

Mayaka blinks. Oh, she didn't think he'd admit that.

She looks at him. Really looks at him. And Houtarou tries avoiding her gaze or making any strange expressions. It doesn't work because he meets her eyes and notes the sheen of sweat that almost makes part of her features glow.

Sighing and reading him like an open book, Mayaka confesses, "I know we haven't been hanging around as much after I joined the team, but ..." She trails off.

"But?" He asks – because there's always a 'but'.

Mayaka knows they've never officially said it, but she considers Houtarou more than a childhood friend. They're good friends. (Maybe even best friends? Secret best friends?)

"But," She murmurs. "I can't believe you went looking for me." Even as the words left her own mouth, it feels foreign. It happened but she still can't imagine it: Houtarou Oreki looking for her.

"I had nothing else to do." Houtarou tells her.

It sounds like a lie, she knows it is. Did he forget that they know each other so well that they can understand what the other is thinking with a single glance?

"Do you want to go to Hogsmeade later?" Came Houtarou's question. It's as sudden as the first fall of fresh snow or a flower blooming in Spring.

Mayaka's momentarily taken aback.

"Ibara?"

"You, me and Fuku-chan?" Mayaka asks.

"No," Houtarou shakes his head. "Just the two of us."

Confusion fills Mayaka's face. "Only us?"

"Satoshi hasn't finished any of his homework. He's going to spend the whole day hunched over parcel paper."

Mayaka's eyes widen a little and her mouth drops, forming a small 'O'. Houtarou's proposing to go somewhere instead of spending the day lounging around? This is a miracle itself!

"Well?" He asks when she doesn't respond.

"Well," A small smile twists on her face. She nudges him with her bat. "Only if you buy me a treat from the sweets shop."

Houtarou buries his face deeper into his scarf, concealing his smile. "That sounds ..."

"Dreary? Since it's with you?" Mayaka teases.

Houtarou doesn't hold back his scoff. "I was going to say, 'like fun'. Thanks for ruining the moment."

"Oh, shut up."

And she punches him on the arm, for old time's sake. He pretends not to wince and thought, maybe he should have held his tongue.

;;

wand types

Mayaka - larch (larch wands have a reputation for instilling confidence and courage in the user. it is a wand of hidden talents and unexpected effects. often the case, the owner of the larch wand deserves it, but may never realise the full extent of their considerable talents until paired with it. they made an exceptional match)

Satoshi - dogwood (noisy, quirky and mischievous; dogwood wands have playful natures and insist upon partners who can provide them with scope for excitement and fun. it would be quite wrong, however, to deduce from this that dogwood wands are not capable of serious magic. when paired with a suitably clever and ingenious owner, the wand can produce dazzling enchantments)

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Notes 3: Based on xevos' headcanons. I've read volume 5-6 while skipping around volume 1-4 so I don't know if I depicted Houtarou and Mayaka's friendship right. As xevos says, "While the anime does a pretty good job of portraying their relationship on its own, it's not enough." I hope I portrayed their closeness well, the last thing I would want is to betray the novel.

Notes 4: Adding more spinning and shoving.

Notes 5: Was anybody going to tell me the house elves walk around Hogwarts partially naked or was I supposed to remember that fact myself when I Googled 'house-elves' and saw the concept art? Also, it's one AM but I'm finding myself reading an article about an elf who fell into depression and started drinking. Wild.

– 21 June 2019