"Many a friendship, long, loyal, and self-sacrificing, rested at first on no thicker a foundation than a kind word."
- Frederick William Faber
0-0-0-0
Leaving biology quickly, he knew he had to escape the group of girls from his class; they were debating the pros and cons of the different styles and which techniques were best, not to mention they did this in quite graphic detail as if their knowledge was from personal experience! He wouldn't want to be one of those Host Club members right now. Why were they talking about this right after bio anyway?
Quickly making his way to his and Harry's spot in the middle of the schools, maze he was grateful and relieved he no longer had to stop by the cafeteria in order to get his lunch, as Harry brought more than enough food to happily feed three people with him every day and the fellas had started making bentos for him again.
Arriving in their courtyard and finding Harry already there and waiting he remembered his grandfather and father had wanted to meet his friend. They were curious and understandably cautious being yakuza with Harry knowing the family secrets, but he knew everyone would love Hadrian once they finally met him; especially Tetsuya.
"What are you doing tonight Harry?"
Harry glanced to his right at his sudden, but not unexpected company. Ritsu Kasanoda had become a great friend who he could easily trust with his life and secrets, he was also a partial Earth daemon. He had found this out recently when he had discovered his friend playing with a vine; trying to change its shape and flower colours back to normal. Ritsu had freaked royally, worried about his reaction but slowly calmed when he discovered he knew about the magical world and wasn't biased to magical creatures.
Considering everything he knew he would be an idiot if he was.
"Nothing really as far as I'm aware; probably just some homework and maybe some cooking, why?" inquired Harry curiously; did Ritsu need help with something?
"Would you like to come over for dinner? We could also play some games after we finish our homework if you'd like? " requested Ritsu quietly, still quite nervous asking for anything from his friend.
"Sure, I'd like that." peplied Harry after a moment's thought. He'd left enough food that night for Hedwig already anyway. Harry didn't know why but he had a feeling that something was about to happen. Maybe it was a type of sixth sense that developed from over ten years of living with a family of tormentors, maybe it came from having dark and light wizards after him? But something in Harry's subconscious had tinkled his sense of danger and it had had him jumpy and tense all day.
"Great! The car should arrive right after school today too! The fella's are gonna love ya!"
Sending Ritsu a happily indulgent smile Harry half listened as Ritsu recounted everything he knew about his mafia 'family' and what he knew of muggle games.
Meanwhile Harry finished what he could of his lunch before starting on the finishing touches on his courtyard. Gathering some of the natural magic in another portraiture orb. It was a common misconception of British wizards that the living portraits were made animate with just a simple swish and flick. In reality the wizard had to paint the portrait using special magically infused paints and brushes and then, when the painting was ready to be animated the artist then needed to carve the proper runes onto the frame and then perform a small ritual to combine the frame and portrait with the 'living essence' held in the portraiture orb.
He planned to add a secondary set of runes on all his paintings for loyalty to his bloodline. From what he'd learned when he'd first taken up magical painting, some purebloods also placed loyalty runes to their family line but without being very specific when they did so; so like now in Brittan when there were family members on each side of the war, each member could spy on the other but it was really a question of who the portrait wanted to win who got the correct information let alone corporation. He's would only be forced to stay loyal to himself and his children-
"Where would you like to meet after school?" asked Ritsu expectantly, catching Harry off guard.
Snapping out of his musings it took Harry a moment to comprehend, let alone form, a response to Ritsu's question "The main gates are as good as any place I guess."
Ritsu agreed.
After finishing their lunch they separated with the agreement to meet after class before returning to their respective classrooms. Sitting down in his usual seat Harry couldn't help but feel as if he was being watched as he waited for the teacher to begin teaching.
During class, it seemed as if the whole goal of the Hitachiin twins was to keep sneaking peeks at him…strange considering they had never paid him any kind of attention before or even talked to him…not to mention they were a row in front of him.
Looking down at his sketch of the pond area outside as one of the twins once again turned, he wondered if he should add some strong layered 'Benevolence' wards to his apartment. He knew the pair were pranksters but he didn't know if they were the happy kind like the twins back home or the malicious kind like the marauders.
-0-0-Staring down into his favorite scrying bowl Umehito sighed. He had been watching his little beauty for a long time now and was thankful Hadrian had come to him instead; he had been apprehensive about traveling to Britain with the current political climate. He had first seen a photo of Hadrian when the boy was a baby; long before Umehito had first come to Japan and had been enthralled with the idea of a mate ever since.
He had discovered the existence of his betrothed when he had asked his Grandfather why he was learning about betrothal rituals alongside his heir duties.
When he had seen the moving photo he had first thought the child ugly like many children did at that age, but as time passed what was once ugly evolved into adorable, in a babyish way. But now that Umehito had seen the grown young man in the flesh…
What was once cute was now breathtaking.
He had recognized him instantly when he had first spotted him in the third floor Library, borrowing a surprisingly large collecting of different Manga and Anime for a Brit.
Despite everything he was determined to know more than a photo or image in his mind, but unlike Kyoya, he didn't bother to search the muggle world knowing what he did of British magicals; he had rummaged through the magical world for information over the years with help from his personal investigation team and house elf, Slipper.
Now normally, information was exchanged between the betrothed and betrothals parents, but as Hadrian's parents had gone and gotten themselves killed he was sadly lacking in the information department when it came to personal details. Regardless he would be meeting his team later today to discuss their newest findings.
He would make his plan of approach from there and just continue to observe for now while he waited.
Blushing lightly with a perverted grin as he watched Hadrian enter the changing rooms, he really wished the crying bowl had a zoom feature right now!
-0-0-Leaving the changing room he quickly cast a strong selective 'Notice-Me-Not' and curse repelling ward as the hairs on his neck began to stand on end.
Hurrying to his class he tried to escape the feeling through distance alone. While he no longer felt like someone was trying to crawl into him the further he got the sense of being watched didn't abate. Waiting as the teacher organized the class into groups, it felt as if it took an eternity before she was calling his group to take their place. They were long distance sprinting today with the odd obstacle or hurdle thrown in.
Taking his usual half-standing stance, he was so focused on the feeling of his hairs standing on end that he was almost late when the whistle blew.
Sprinting quickly he quickly left the others behind while efficiently clearing the obstacles. To the others his prowess seemed effortless, but the abilities he was displaying were honed through blood and skill born of strong self-preservation instincts as a child.
He'd run as fast and as hard as he could to gain as much distance as he could in a short amount of time. When his tormentors had realized this, they had started preparing obstacles ahead of time. Needless to say, he won the little race easily after the first few times of being captured.
Slowing down as he passed the finish line Harry made sure to keep walking to avoid a muscle cramp.
"Have you ever thought of joining the track team Potter-Black?"
Looking to the boy who asked Harry shrugged; "No" after his cousin he wasn't comfortable with any muggle sports, especially those with players who were bigger than him like the boy was.
Making his way quickly to the schools forest after changing he griped his sketch pad to his chest and ran once more as the feeling of being watched intensified.
Taking a deep breath when he had finally arrived in a small clearing, he then began to sketch and plot furiously his next manga volume in order to release his anxiety, as well as anything else that filtered through his mind as the bell rang. His books had been doing fairly well as had all his muggle companies; at the moment he was trying to recreate magical versions of muggle things like manga and muggle versions of magical things.
The same could not be said of his family's magical enterprises; they needed a good bit of work after three decades of inactivity. The purebloods didn't trust others with their magical companies; which was actually quite smart as it meant people like Dumbledore hadn't been able to alter everything to their own ends.
Still, any that weren't bringing in more money than they spent needed to be ether sold, modified or closed.
As tomorrow marked the beginning of the weekend he planned to go over his current financial holdings and any Wizarding mail that may have arrived.
The two hours till home time passed quickly until it was time to make his way to the front gate where Ritsu was no doubt already waiting.
As he walked he wondered what they were going to have for dinner; he couldn't say he liked or hated Japanese's food, it was just too different from what he was used to when they cooked it the way he supposed they normally did.
He'd ordered mixed vegetables and rice the other day for lunch, and instead of his meal coming out hot and cooked like he had expected, it was presented cold and with foul tasting vegies. He really hoped he wasn't going to have to force disgusting food down again, but he still didn't want to upset Ritsu and his family.
"Hey Ritsu" called Harry once he was at a respectable distance that he wasn't screaming at his friend. The moment his friend spotted him for some reason Ritsu instantly became worried.
"Why are you so pale Harry? Are you feeling alright?" inquired Ritsu worriedly before feeling Harry's forehead.
"I'm ok. My last class was just very stressful" Not the class itself but for some reason the feeling of being watched had left when the bell had rang. He had spent the whole break working on his manga but paranoid about the eyes returning. He know realized he had also forgotten to eat or drink anything.
"Did someone bully you?!" Seeing Ritsu start to get angry Harry quickly steered him clear of that array of thought. Not only did it not happen he didn't want Ritsu scaring random people with his interrogation tactics.
"No. I've just had this strong feeling someone's been watching me and its put me on edge. It's nothing to worry about." Maybe. He'd need to look into finding out who it was first to see if there really was anything to worry about. He didn't doubt for a second that it wasn't his imagination. His instincts were very finely tuned after all.
"Make sure you tell me if anyone tries to start something."
Smiling softly at his friend Harry agreed.
"Young Master?" turning with Ritsu's hand still on his face he saw a driver with scars staring at them nervously. Looking back to Ritsu, he saw the boy blush before dropping his hand awkwardly. Tilting his head, he wondered at the weird reaction. Deciding to think on it later he just grabbed Ritsu's hand and started dragging his friend over to his driver.
The drive wasn't that long but by the time they arrived at the Kasanoda residence Harry had the distinct feeling he was going to meet the in-laws. This may have been attributed to the fact Ritsu wouldn't bloody stop fidgeting like a nerves school boy.
When they pulled up before a traditional looking Japanese's compound and finally exited the car, he saw somewhat why; it looked as if the whole immediate 'family' had shown up for the event.
It was quite the experience to walk through a sea of gangsters only to meet the Father and Godfather at the other end. They seemed like quite a nice pair of fellows to be honest. After the initial meet n' greet he was lead to the main dining hall where everyone was situated into what he assumed was their assigned seats; with himself being dragged next to Ritsu and a person by the name of Tetsuya Sendo who seemed very sweet to him.
After a few tense moments on behalf of the mobsters everyone relaxed once the food was actually served and conversation soon flowed freely.
"So Harry, how did you meet our young lord?" inquired Tetsuya once the conversations had reached a comforting level, Tetsuya was glad the young master was finally able to make a friend at school and was curious as to how it had happened. The others were worried at first but from what he'd observed so far Harry was a true friend to his Ritsu.
"We actually met when l had gotten lost during my first few days of school and had to ask for directions, everyone else was kind of useless as they all seemed to be frozen with the only sane unfrozen person standing in the middle being Ritsu. So I asked him and he offered to escort me, we kind of hit it off from there." There was no need to mention his hair had been green at the time due to an exploding potion earlier the night before. Looking around he noticed some gangsters crying and wondered what he had said, it wasn't a sad story was it? Ritsu's Grandfather and Dad were smirking after all while looking at a blushing Ritsu.
Maybe it was an embarrassing story? Whatever.
The conversations continued from there with people randomly asking questions about school, work and other day to day stuff.
Before long it was late and they had already played a couple of muggle games and laughed and joked as they tried to complete their homework. Failing miserably.
Ritsu offered to come for the ride to drop him off but Harry declined; stating that it was already too late and for Ritsu to get some rest but Ritsu was being insistent.
"But I don't want anything to happen to you just because you're my best friend!" pleaded Ritsu; when he'd been little his dad and granddad had warned him about what could happen to those who associated with Yakuza families. He'd never had to use the information until now. "I'm going to worry Harry, we're bros!"
"The feelings mutual, I think of you as my best friend too!" Harry told Ritsu happily, a small happy smile forming on his face having not heard to term so sincerely before. "But I am perfectly capable of dispatching any nascence's that decide to pop up, don't worry Ritsu. I'm a lot harder to kill then I look!" flashing his fangs at his friend in a cheeky grin, Harry gave Ritsu a quick peck before leaving the main gate and his friend for his own apartment.
Kasanoda felt his own smile materialize too; Harry's cheeky smiles always reminded him of the little white and strawberry flowers he grew during Spring.
Very cute and sweet to look at, but he still knew the flowers were harboring a deadly secret.
0-0-0-0Waking up early the next day after dinner with Ritsu's family, Harry felt perfectly content as he reheated some potato n' garlic soup.
After cooking for the Dursley's, the traditional full English breakfast held very little appeal to him, he'd read that starting your day off with something filling but easy to digest was better for you anyway.
Looking to the clock he was suddenly quite happy he had found a book on messenger charms the other day and now didn't need to free or feed Hedwig, Hades or Loki every day; if he hadn't he would have been mauled already given the time. It simply happened automatically now thanks to a little spell.
Hades was a huge international courier owl he had picked up recently from Tokyo cites magical market, while Loki was a beautiful magical snake he had quite literally tripped over on his way home from said market.
Hades was black with a white and blue ring around each feather, while Loki appeared black at first he could still reflect any colour he so choose and loved to use that to his advantage when pulling pranks; mostly on him and the land ladies cat so far.
After he had finished and cleaned the dishes Harry made his way to the apartments study, where a huge mound of paperwork and reports awaited him after a week of laziness, soon separated into a numerous number of piles based on company, type and importance after a lovely little spell was cast of course.
Deciding to start with his informant piles first Harry slowly worked his way down the Intel from his various informants in rival companies, ministries and Hogwarts until he came to a letter from his cousin.
Lord Wrath,During the time between my last correspondences with you a number of key events you may be interested in have occurred in Great Britain.
Dumbledore continues to try and retain his standing at the Ministry and his various positions such a Headmaster, but the steady leak of information from various sources has hindered him a great deal in his endeavors including your know missing status among British wizards. What currently keeps him afloat at the current time is Dumbledore feeding the belief that Voldemort will return.
According to father He has returned but is lying low as he is quite interested in recruiting you and watching the current proceedings.
Expect correspondence when he discovers your location.
Onto another note, Molly Weasley has lost any standing she possessed by the general 'light' affiliated public for befriending you, and she and the other perpetrators will be required to either hand over their house and land or sell it to even pay back a fraction of what they stole. Ron blames you for these events of course and continues to attempt to turn the opinion of you in Hogwarts and Great Britain to you being an 'Evil Dark Wizard' to any that will listen; this is circumvented by the fact you now attend a muggle school and were distant from the boy for two years prior to your relocation.
Blasé has had a blast pointing this out to the boy as well as your test results.
Mudblood Herminie has been insisting you cheated in the OWL and NEWT exams to any who will listen -and even those who won't- but has been unable to find any proof as we both know you merely studied more than the Ministry approved reading material. It has also helped that before your graduation you could be seen constantly pursuing one book or another in public places. She has turned into a pariah alongside the other Weasley's.
Little Ginny seems to have made it her solitary mission in life to sleep with every male at Hogwarts, though not many have taken up the offer, mostly the mudbloods.
One Raven even reported the girl's behavior to McGonagall!
When McGonagall inquired into the girls behavior the response she received from said girl was that she had to "practice so I'm just perfect for my future husband Harry Potter!" after trying to dissuade the girls delusions McGonagall finally informed her about magical marriage requirements; the bit about the difference between a 'Pure' bride and a 'Virgin' bride.
Needless to say be sure to steer clear of that one.
The Demon Twins are the most curious of conundrums though. With the increase in revelations of just what some of their family members and allies have been doing a confrontation finally occurred, and they are now subsequently Ex-Weasley's. As you can no doubt guess still being under Dumbledore's rule and with almost no financial aid they are in a lot of strife right now but holding firm thanks to the fact Hogwarts tuition's are paid for at the start of the year.
I would consider contacting them if I were you as if I remember correctly the three of you got along like peas in a pod when alone without Ron or Mudblood watching you.
Trust your instincts on this one.
With Sympathetic Regards,
Pride, Hogwarts
P.S our dear Rita is currently rotting in Azkaban for slander of a High Lord and illegally retaining an unregistered Animagus form. Among other lovely little charges you'd get a laugh over.
While some of the news had been disturbing the news about the Twins hit hard; he knew they hadn't been involved but he still hadn't known which way they'd go, considering how loyal to their family they both were…but to hear they'd been disowned…that would have crushed them. He knew they only held obligatory affection for their younger siblings and parents, but Bill and Charlie meant the world to the twins.
He'd think about their situation after when he had more time to plan; he had to finish sorting everything today so he could handle it all tomorrow. Looking down on his letter stack he noticed he was finally at the end of the pile, but judging by the seal the letter was from Gringotts; was it going to be good or bad? The fact that it was in his important correspondence pile suggested it was probably bad.
Lord Potter-BlackThe trial of your Godfather Sirius Orion Black is progressing steadily despite Ministry attempts due to general public support. The Switzerland magicals and Council of Magic have been an immense help in pressuring the British ministry.
Due to your current age we request that you come to Gringotts prior to your 16th birthday in order to update your 'Personal History' file for the event that you receive a magical creature inheritance during your third magical maturity.
Potter-Black Account Manager,
GripTide
Crap.
Scribbling a note to remind him to look at possible creature inheritances in the Potter line, he added another under those notes for the twins. Dragging a blank sheet of parchment towards him he penned a letter to his supercilious friend. He needed to act quickly.
Lord Pride,Have I mentioned before how amusing I find your name? Pride is a Sin yet also the name for a family of Lions. Your loyalty astounds me.
Please inform your father that he should forget ousting Dumbledore from the Ministry and concentrate on ousting him from Hogwarts. If he wishes to be difficult remind him that in the Ministry Dumbledore can be easily fought with numbers and watched by the Lords, but in Hogwarts he has free range and can do the most damage out of their eye.
I hear Snakes make good headmasters.
If the old man cannot be ousted from Hogwarts infiltration my dear, is the next best bet.
Regarding your resident pests…perhaps you could leak what you know in our usual fashion? Harlots don't receive high praise openly, liars even less.
The Demons…guard them until I can decide their fate. Please find out what the reactions of the older siblings are as well.
Tell me dear Pride, what secrets does History Hide for the Lower House of Weasley?
Watchful Regards,
Wrath
He needed to change some of his plans; he had written his letter to Pride about approaching the twins and what he thought he should do. From what Pride had taught him in one of their many teaching sessions on magical culture and pureblood etiquettes being disowned by your family and losing your last name basically meant exile from the magical community to any unlucky individual who happened to find themselves in this situation; unless they were adopted or married into another family, their future prospects were worse than the British werewolves.
The rough plan he had going through his head was very risky and probably very stupid considering he was trying to lay low, but the twins had helped him through tough times even when they hadn't realized it.
With that decided, Harry sent off his letter with Hades before pocketing his rough plan to show to the Goblin. Striding to his entrance hall he Apparited straight from his apartment to the main Tokyo magical district; he liked his local district better as it was quieter but Gringotts had a 'one branch each country in the main district' policy thing going on.
Snaking his way through the busy weekend crowd, it wasn't long before Harry was making his way up the steps of the Japanese branch of Gringotts at a brisk pace. Walking straight to one of the VIP tellers, Harry didn't hesitate to request his Account Manager. It was a handy bit of information that Pride had been shocked he didn't know; rich purebloods weren't made to wait as they had a private teller. It kept the purebloods happy and the gold flowing for the Goblins.
Quickly being lead to his mangers semi-temporary office he found an evil looking Goblin waiting within. Mind still heavy with the information relayed from his informants still in Britain. He had received some curious reports from all parties really, some good and bad and now this? It looked like trouble really did seem to follow him around like a lost puppy. It wasn't even Halloween yet!
"Hello Lord Potter-Black, how was your Journey?"Griptide inquired as Human pureblood custom dictated. The Goblin was determined to drill it into him it seemed.
"Pleasurable. How was your morning High Manager GripTide?"
"Profitable, do you wish to proceed with the updating of your Personal History or Business file first?"
"Personal History would be preferable High Manager GripTide." Gods and Goddess knew he wanted to postpone the talk he knew would be needed later.
Coming back to the present he noticed GripTide beginning to hand him an intricately decorated crystal dagger; what he knew from his studies to be a High Ritual dagger. Handing it to him, GripTide instructed him in what to do which wasn't much different from last time. Placing a small vile of blood across black parchment they watched as white ink outlined in red began to fill the blood dyed parchment.
Individual HistoryName: Hadrian Sirius-James Potter-Black
Alias: Harry James Potter
Familial Nomen: Black Angel of Orion
Mother: Lilith John Potter nee Evans (deceased)
Father: James Charles Potter (deceased)
Godfather: Sirius Orion Black (incarcerated-Pending)
Godmother: Michelle Longbottom nee Riddle (deceased)
Heir to:
The Most Noble and Ancient House of Slytherin
Lord of:
The Most Noble and Ancient House of Potter
The Most Noble and Ancient House of Black
Abilities
Magical Sensitivity and Sight
Status: Unlocked (Advanced)
Natural Wandless Magi
Status: Unlocked (Master)
Natural languages
Status: Unlocked
Language: Human [English] (100%)
Language: Human [Japanese] (90%)
Language: Human [Spanish] (10%)
Language: Human [French] (10%)
Language: Human [Italian] (10%)
Language: Human [German] (10%)
Language: Snake (90%)
Language: Bird (40%)
Natural Occlumency
Status: Unlocked (Adept)
Natural Animagus
Animal: Snow Fox
Status: Unlocked (Adept)
Mind of Comprehension
Status: Unlocked (Adept) (Previously Blocked)
Assassins Mind
Status: Unlocked, currently inactivated (Previously Blocked)
Natural Weapons
Status: Adept
Hand-to-Hand: Air Submissive
Note; 'Air Submissive' is a form based on flowing around and through an opponent's techniques while subduing with precise attacks to vital points on the opponents body and style rather than powerful dominating attacks.
Status: Adept
Black's Twin Katanas: ownership ritual complete. Alterations made.
…Contracts and Bindings
Marriage Contracts
Harry Potter x Ginny Weasley
Contractor: Albus Dumbledore
Contractor: Molly Weasley
Status: Rejected
Witness: Luna Lovegood
Witness: Draco Malfoy
Hadrian Potter x Umehito Nekozawa
Contractor: Sirius Black
Contractor: Uketa Nekozawa
Status: Pending
Hadrian Potter x Kyoya Ootori
Contractor: Lily Potter nee Evan
Contractor: Hellani Ootori nee Rose
Status: Pending
Noticing that he was still in a contract with Weasley he wondered why, shouldn't he like not be in one by now? Shouldn't it have been dissolved seeing as it was one of Dumbles schemes to begin with?
"Why is Ginny Weasley still one of my marriage prospects? Shouldn't she have been removed or something?" inquired Harry neutrally. At least that was what he had originally assumed from what he had been told originally back in England. Watching GripTide shift slightly in his seat made him nervous, Goblins didn't shift; it probably meant something he wouldn't like; like he was suddenly engaged to Hitler or something as equally bad.
"We have been unable to do so despite numerous attempts at absolving the contract, as it appears Mr. Dumbledore used some of your blood when signing the contract in order to make the contract unbreakable outside of your marriage to another candidate." Feeling his face shift from curious to deadpan all he could think was why that didn't surprise him. Well, it did royally creep him out; when had Dumbles gotten some of his blood? How… "Please look into Hogwarts Healer Madam Pomfrey. I suspect the blood was procured from her." He knew blood couldn't sit for too long before it was useless for contracts and rituals as the magic in the blood dissipated and that it couldn't be contaminated in any way before being used; that ruled out the Dursley's leaving only his Hogwarts hospital stays.
"It shall be done." Agreed Griptide, Writing a note for it on a separate parchment.
Looking back down at the paper he noticed a note at the bottom;
…Note should be taken that Hadrian James Potter-Black possesses a large percentage of currently activating Magical Creature Blood.
Creature Inheritance: Activating
Activating Species; Tempest Neko
Mating Status/Position; Unclaimed - True Submissive
"I do believe, Lord Potter-Black, that you may want to procure some books on the subject. Immediately." Deadpanned Griptide as he eyed the parchment off like it had just bitten him.
That's an understatement! "What on earth is a Tempest Neko?"
"A Tempest Neko is a kind of Submissive Feline Intimacy Demon who possesses a natural affinity for weather and elemental magic. I suggest setting a house up sooner then you had originally planned Lord Potter-Black, preferably a large expanse of land of the forest variety. Neko Demons can become very territorial in some cases, depending on the phase of their cycle." Waiting for more, it soon became apparent Griptide wasn't planning to disclose any more information willingly. Sighing, Harry knew he'd need to find some books on the matter once he left here if he didn't want to pay a ridiculous amount for a little bit of information.
"What options are available for disowned purebloods?" Harry finally asked instead. He may as well get something done today.
"Name or No Name?"
"No Name."
"Adoption or Patronage are the only...effective moves you can make for a No Name. May I inquire who the No Name once was?"
"Fred and George Weasley."
"I will make inquiries." Making another note Griptide soon looked back up "Now are there any new plans for your businesses? Your apprenticeship programs seems to be going well." The silent 'To-My-Great-Surprise' went unsaid but Harry still noticed. He didn't know whether to be amused or irritated at the Goblin's faith in him.
"I wish to combine some of my companies to have a magical and muggle variation; my literature and fashion companies to start off with to be more precise." the medical company will have to wait until he knew more about each society's medical practices. Until then he'd just keep working on building the individual companies up and integrating similar procedures where he could so when they did merge the process would be easier.
"How will you explain the magical books to the muggles? Or the odd wizard fashion sense for that matter?" the skepticism of the Goblin was expected. From what he'd learned may had attempted this only for the Ministry needing to intervene when the exposure risk became too great.
"I'm currently running a number of competitions at my Literature companies at the moment. One where I've given the contestants a number of magical facts and they have to write a story using said facts.
Another where I've given the contestants an event in magical history and the writers have been tasked with…modernizing the events into a proper story format without changing the 'facts'; Like the first witch hunts or a magical war or treaty.
The last competition is basically writing 'magical fairy tales' for muggle children using facts and events coupled with an optional lesson." There were smaller ones as well but these were the more public ones being offered under the genre of fantasy.
"What happens to those stories who win?" at least the Goblin was thinking about it.
"The works I approve of will be published under the same book title as a collection of works form different authors. Depending on how long or good each story is some stories may be made into proper novels or manga and anime."
"You believe this approach would work?"
"Yes. There are Otaku in Japan, who have a craze known as Cosplaying which is spreading through the rest of the world. Wizard fashion could just be passed off as Cosplay costumes from my companies wizarding 'stories'. The fact I will be turning the literature into manga and anime will add credibility to my theory. Regardless I'll still be using my wizarding clothing range to modernize magical fashion in the future to help reduce the differences, but I'll start by including a large selection of traditional and modernized oriental clothing to reduce the culture shock from robes to jeans."
Griptide sighed, "We will set your fashion store up to include Cosplay costumes, but it wouldn't be wise to include any wizarding items until you start publishing your books and evaluate the response."
Harry grinned, "Don't worry Griptide, it'll work! Humans are like sheep; once they see wizards 'Cosplaying' at a number of events they'll become curious and join in."
The heavy sigh of the old Goblin said enough. As if what he'd said were famous last words
Unaware to Harry, two individuals received a short missive proclaiming his new status while he was haggling with Griptide over the liner details hours later.
-0-After having gained a crash course in the basics of what a Neko was and explaining the basics of his plan for the twins, to which GripTide was quite shocked but willing to help provided stronger precautions then 'we promise we won't kill you' were taken. Now that he had started his plan and been warned about his 'true' birthday surprise, he needed to visit the Magical Bookshop for some proper information as well as some other shops for supplies. Sitting back in his chair, Harry resisted the urge to twirl in it.
"Lord Potter-Black" intoned Griptide in suspicious politeness, too bad Harry was too distracted to notice the warning sign.
"Hmm?"
"School?"
Eyes widening, Harry realized/remembered today was a SCHOOL DAY!
Griptide had a good chuckle at Harry's expense as he watched the boy run from the room. That boy should have been born a red head.
Searching for his school bag, after 10 minutes Harry simply gave up and just summoned it, surprised when it came sailing out of the bathroom of all places.
Why was his bag in the bathroom?
Shadow sliding into the alcove near the classroom he should have already been in, Harry double checked he had everything before waltzing in. explaining his absence away as an emergency business meeting, to which the teacher just nodded and motioned for him to take his seat. Ignoring the two host club members in his class for the rest of the day.
Walking into the first magical bookshop after school Harry waited until he was somewhat hidden before discreetly summoning all books with information on Neko Demons, Magical fashion and household rituals.
Flipping through the books, Harry set aside the ones that seemed to have the most useful information and the best layout format.
He kind of wanted to run into that vampire from last time with everything he needed to buy. Shopping would have been so much easier with the blond pervert.
0-0-0-0Watching the Owl approach from below the mountain, Hellani Ootori suspected its contents when she noticed the Gringotts seal as the monthly bank statement had already been delivered last week. The idea was quite unexpected though considering while she should have, she had yet to receive any correspondence from the English Potter Clan or their account manager.
Opening the missive she was pleasantly surprised with some of what she found, while others raised concerns to her skilled mind or answered some questions she had had in the past;
Marriage Candidate
Name; Hadrian James Potter-Black
Age; 15
Species; Tempest Neko
Mating Status/Position; Unclaimed – True Submissive
Status; Royalty, Noble
Parents; Deceased
Nationality; British
Native Language; English
Marriage Contracts
Harry Potter x Ginny Weasly
Contractor: Albus Dumbledore
Contractor: Molly Weasly
Hadrian Potter x Umehito Nekozawa
Contractor: Sirius Black
Contractor: Uketa Nekozawa
Hadrian Potter x Kyoya Ootori
Contractor: Lily Potter nee Evan
Contractor: Hellani Ootori nee Rose
While it wasn't rare for the heir to a Noble House to have multiple marriage candidates, she was worried her Little Crow wouldn't be able to win such a powerful mate from such a powerful Magical family; the Ootori name was only really powerful in the Muggle world, while the Nekozawa family was powerful in both.
While the Potter and Black names still held sway despite their dormancy, thanks to her ex-husband the Ootori name inspired mockery in the magical world. She had been lucky to secure little Hadrian as a candidate for her Kyoya from Lily; she had met Lily when on holiday in England before she'd decided to divorce the squib. If she had had a choice in the matter the farce of a marriage would never have happened.
Making her decision, Hellani Ootori quickly made her way to the manors main study where she knew an owl would always be waiting. She quickly sent the information from the Goblins to her son; it may be the edge needed to win the lil' Neko and restore her sons happiness.
The fact the boy had dominate Neko genes would make him more able to endure a Crow Demon's possessiveness and mating drive while not being overcome by her boys personality.
Unaware to Hellani, Uketa Nekozawa had the same idea and sent the same note to her own child, if for different reasons. Both notes were gratefully received, though one with an undercurrent of shock and the other with glee.