Chapter Four: Explanations

Lavi looked back at Harry, his face making him look like a cat that just got out of a bathtub full of water. "You saw everything?" he asked in a hoarse whisper, looking at Allen, then Kanda, and then back to Harry like he was choosing only one flavor of ice-cream to eat because he could only afford one. Of course this wasn't the case, because he was angry and weary and wary and shocked.

Harry nodded at the red-head. Lavi shook to the bone, closing his eyes in his moment of fatigue and shock. No-one, no-one was supposed to know Kanda's true power except for him, because when they did, they tried to get him to disclose all of the details and try to recruit him (read: use him) for their purposes. And Lavi was supposed to stop that from happening. That was part of the reason he was hired by Kanda. (A/N: this is just another one of my tweaks, don't pay any attention!)

"Listen to me," he said sagely. "Do not tell anyone what you saw just now. I'm begging you. If word of this got around, who cares if our enemy is in the past! If word of this got around, everyone will be our enemy. Do you understand?"

Lavi was now standing in front of Harry, desperation in his voice as he gripped the younger boy's shoulders. He looked like a warrior asking for one last favor before he died. Harry nodded mutely, his eyes wide as he stared at the older man.

Lavi then turned from Harry to grip Allen's shoulders in the same manner, even more desperate. "Yes, Lavi, I understand," Allen admonished him, completely serious.

Only then did Lavi relax. He turned to look at the wizards. "Do not ask Harry for information on what happened. If they do, Harry, don't tell them. If you do, this will get you killed. Not by my hands, but by…" he trailed off, looking at Allen. "But by our enemies. I'm not telling you how, only that they have their ways. Not only that, but they will take our comrade away from us and use him as an advantage in the war."

"But he wouldn't allow them to use him," Harry countered, eyebrows furrowed.

"No, that's true. Kanda's pride wouldn't let him. He'd rather die. But they'd brainwash him, and then he wouldn't be able to think. Or maybe he would, but his pride wouldn't let him betray the side they brainwashed him to be on. Either way, you saw what he can do," Lavi added, still looking grave. "By the way he's looking, he wasn't even past the first stage. Trust me, if he's angered enough, it could get ten times worse then what you just saw, judging by the state of the room." He sighed and swiped his hand around, motioning to the destroyed room and ignoring the astounded looks on their faces. "I still can't stress enough to you how dangerous it is you know this. Even if you are alone, I don't want you to talk about it. They have ears everywhere."

Allen had to sit down. When he did, it brought eyes to him, almost making him squirm in discomfort. "What?" he asked.

They looked away.

"Can I have everyone except Harry and Allen leave this room?" Lavi asked. They looked reluctant, but Dumbledore shooed them away. "And Dumbledore should stay, too, because you need to hear this," Lavi added, making the man turn away from the group. He looked to Lupin, who nodded.

When the door was closed all the way, Lavi turned toward the corner, walked up to it, and grabbed the cloak covering the other two who decided to spy on Kanda. When he pulled it off, they both looked sheepish, Harry and Dumbledore surprised, and Allen expectant.

"I hope you know that those warnings go to you two, too," Lavi stressed, glaring down at them. "I'm pretty mad at you three for spying on one of our best warriors in the first place, but also not surprised. I could smell curiousness on you the moment I got here. Made sure to keep my eye on you."

Ron snickered, but the moment Lavi looked at him, he shut up. Lavi guessed it was because of his only one good eye. The pun. Ha, it was so funny…

"I must apologize, Mr. Bookman," Dumbledore said, disappointment ringing clear in his voice. "I will make sure to keep my eyes on them, as well. I am very disappointed in you three, for snooping around Mister Kanda's room and spying on him."

The three hung their heads. "We understand, Professor Dumbledore. We won't do it again," they said in unison, making Lavi wonder how many times they got caught sneaking around.

"Professor, I hope you recognize how dire this situation is," Lavi continued, his eye locking on his.

"I do, Mr. Bookman. Children, do not take his warning lightly. Have I gotten your word that you will abide by it?"

"Yes, Professor Dumbledore," they said in harmony again, almost like three different people playing the same piano song, but on different keys. It was quite amusing to Lavi, but he refused to let that amusement show on his face.

"Now that we have this out of the way, Allen," he turned to said boy across the room, "Can you tell me the events leading up to Kanda's . . . display of power?"

"Jeez Lavi, you sound like some detective," Allen muttered. When he saw the flames of Lavi's dark aura surrounding said figure, he gulped and continued anyways. "Um, well, this would be a little easier if they were out of the room…"

"Fine, Harry, since you know the entire thing, why don't you tell me?" Lavi asked expectantly, ignoring Allen's disagreements.

"Oh, um. Well, Ron, Hermione and I came in about a couple hours ago," he started. "We were watching him just clean his sword. Honestly, if he was going to do anything else, we were going to leave. All we wanted to do was get a good idea on who he was."

Harry almost looked adamant on saying anything else, but after a moment of silent expectation from the other occupants (excluding Kanda, of course) he went on. "Then, when we were watching, he said something like, "Idiot Alma," or somethin' like that, and he cut himself on the sword. He-he started crying, is my guess. Well, I saw the tears, but when he said that, I'm guessing that he started crying, and then he cut himself—"

"Harry, why don't I tell it?" Hermione asked gently, knowing he didn't like the attention.

And then she explained in rapt detail how the situation went, and her views on it. When she was done, Lavi looked at her in appraisal. "Hm, you are an intelligent witch. I'd like to get your views on some things in the wizarding world some time, is that okay?"

"Yes that's fine," she agreed, smiling at him. She failed to notice the way Ron glowered a bit, but Lavi didn't. He looked between the two, and told himself to go and talk to Ron before dinner that day to see what he could do to get him started on getting with her.

"Well, since it is inevitable that you know about this, I would still like you to keep quiet. Thank you for your information and thoughts on the matter, Ms. Granger," Lavi said. "Mr. Weasley, I would like to talk to you before dinner, Mr. Potter, please be wary of Kanda from now on. He will be quite on edge, and I don't want you to anger him. And Allen, don't mention this to him. The only time you talk about it is if he brings it up, understand?"

Allen rolled his eyes. "Of course, mister Bookman, sir."

Lavi flashed him a grin. "Okay, now that we have all of this settled, Allen, would you mind taking everyone out so I can talk to Kanda?"
Allen glanced toward his comrade, whom was still staring at the wall, eyes blank, and nodded. Kanda looked like a doll. Perhaps it was good for Lavi to talk to him, get him worked out. "Sure. And later after dinner, would you like to spar with me, Lavi?"
"Okie-Dokie!" Lavi replied, his childish nature coming out once more. It almost unnerved Allen, but he was used to it. He couldn't really say so for the wizards, who were staring at him with shaken expressions. He laughed and grabbed Harry and Ron's arms, dragging them out of the door with Dumbledore and Hermione following.

Really, he just didn't want to think about what Lavi and Kanda were talking about. He didn't want to think about what just happened, what it all meant, and what the future might hold because of the strange events.

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Kanda didn't come down for dinner that night, and Lavi reassured everyone at the table that the said irritable swordsman was still sorting things out with himself. By the concerned and worried glances he kept sending the stairs, though, Harry wasn't so sure Kanda was doing okay. But he let it slide, knowing Allen and Lavi knew how to handle these situations.

Dumbledore had left that evening, along with Lupin, Tonks, Kingsley, McGonagall, Snape, and Sirius, Harry's godfather. All that were left in the Burrow were the Weasley's, Hermione, and the Exorcists. It was still slightly crowded, but it was easier to deal with when there weren't as many people around.

Harry sighed into his food, shoveling more potatoes into his mouth when Mrs. Weasley was looking his way. He was tired and he wanted to see if Kanda was okay. As much as he was dreading what was to come, Kanda was still his comrade and he didn't want the angry Japanese man to be hurt, emotional or otherwise.

As if reading his thoughts, Allen smiled at him reassuringly, shoveling more of his fifteenth helping into his mouth. It's true. Allen was on his fifteenth helping. Harry counted…

When he first saw Allen's eating habits, Harry and the others blanched and watched with slight fascination and awe, maybe a little disgust. But having spent three meals with him, he sorta got used to the amount he ate.

It wasn't like he ate like a pig. Allen ate with a fluidity and grace that left almost everyone stumped. It was just the amount he ate, the size of the plates stacked high on top of each other, the way they disappeared so fast. It was amazing.

After dinner, Harry and his two best friends walked up the stairs to the room Ron and he were sharing. On the way there, they couldn't help but peak inside Kanda's, only to see him curled up on his bed with a blanket covering him, his hair splayed about the pillow. Hermione blushed at seeing the samurai so familiarly, while Ron and Harry glanced at each other worriedly.

The man's face was facing them, and they could see how it wasn't relaxed how faces in sleep looked, but looked like he was suffering from a great wound that wouldn't allow him to sleep well. That was probably the case, but it wasn't a wound they could see. It was on the inside.

Harry wondered what kind of past the man must've had for him to act like that. Surely it was much worse then Harry's, who hadn't had parents either, but instead a living hell hole for family. It was guaranteed worse then the Dursley's, knowing the other was whipped like a slave, and knowing that, it made Harry more curious by the second. Just who is this man sleeping inside that room? And what are the secrets he's keeping hidden?

Harry meant to ask Allen what 'artificial', 'Innocence', and 'Second Exorcist' were and what they meant as soon as they were alone. And luck seemed to be on his side, as a voice that sounded distinctly familiar asked, "Sad, isn't it?"

Harry and his two best friends spun to see Allen leaning against the railing behind them, startled. Hermione put a hand to her chest, and Ron breathed a sigh of relief. Harry stared at Allen, then behind him at Kanda, wondering not for the first time that night what the relationship was between the two.

"I promise to answer all of your questions as best as I can," Allen continued, walking up the stairs once more. Harry took this as a silent command to follow, so he motioned for his friends to do the same. They all walked up to Allen's room, said person shutting the door and locking it firmly behind them.

"Can you cast a . . . spell . . . to make sure no-one can hear us?" he asked the threesome.

"Sorry, Allen, but we're not of age yet. We can't cast magic until we're seventeen," Hermione apologized.

"Ah, it's no problem. I'm just trying to be safe, is all." He sat down on the bed, motioning to the two chairs in front of him. Harry sat beside him on the mattress. Allen smiled at him. "So, questions?"

Harry all but exploded on him. "What's Innocence? What about a Second Exorcist? And what's going on between you and Kanda? What's an Akuma? I've heard the word a couple of times, but I don't know what it is. Oh! And why do you call Lavi 'Mr. Bookman'?"

Allen held a porcelain hand up to stop his ministrations. "Okay, one question at a time!" he laughed, his bright, molten silver eyes lighting up behind his dreary demeanor. "Alright, first, let me explain what Innocence and Akuma are, hm?"

(Here's the explanation, blah blah blah! Skip skip skip. I'm too lazy, and I'm guessing that a lot of people don't like reading about these explanations all of the time, hm?)

When Allen was done with all of the most important questions, the others all stared at him. "Wait," Hermione said slowly. "So, you guys are here to protect Harry and the school from these akuma?"

Allen nodded at her solemnly. She would've questioned further, but the look on his face said everything. Everything he told them was true. Hermione hummed to herself in thought, eyes distant as she did.

"Okay. Any more questions?" Allen asked in the sudden silence, broken by the occasional hum or click of Hermione's tongue.

"Why does Kanda need to protect me?" Harry asked immediately. That was one of the most pressing questions that have been rallying around in his head.

"Actually, I'm not too sure on that one either. I'm not even sure Kanda knows that. But I think Lavi does, I'm just not too sure he would tell us. My guess is that it has something to do with the Millennium Earl and Voldemort teaming up," Allen added as an after thought. One that almost sent Harry into a panic attack.

"What?" he almost squeaked. "That's bad. That's really, really bad." He continued his 'bad' mutterings, making Allen and Ron stare at him. Hermione was still lost in thought.

"Um, Harry mate?" Ron asked hesitantly.

"Is he always like this?" Allen asked Ron, concerned for the boy's well being.

"No, not at all," was Ron's reply. "Harry mate? Are you doing okay?"

"No!" Harry suddenly shouted, making all three of them jump in surprise. "I'm not okay! Don't you get it Ron? This is very, very bad! If Voldemort and the Earl team up, this could mean the end of the world as we know it! And how are we supposed to stop them if magic has no effect on the akuma? Hm? Have you thought about that?"

"Harry, calm down," Allen added. When said boy refused to do so, Allen reached over and slapped him across the face, a serious expression on.

"Thanks for that," Harry muttered, rubbing his cheek. He seemed calm enough to continue, so without further ado, Allen did so.

"Alright, now that we discussed some of the more pressing matters, any more questions before I check up on Kanda and get some sleep? We all have a pretty big day tomorrow, not to mention Kanda's gonna be all cranky."

"Actually," Hermione said suddenly, making Ron jump because he forgot she was there. "What is your relationship with Kanda? You two seem very, very close."

Allen blushed a bit at the admittance. "Um, we're always sent on missions together, and the circumstances back in our time call for us to usually spend twenty-for-seven together, so I guess it is safe to say we are close. As you've probably seen, I was there when Kanda wasn't doing too well, and he's been there when I've had some of my break downs. It's funny though, the way he comforts me. He usually beats the crap outta me and then throws insults at me." Allen laughed. "But it works."

Hermione nodded, though she was trying to fight back the smile from escaping her lips. Her inner fangirl was coming out, and she tried to repress it. No, 'Mione. Now's not the time to stress on your evil intentions. Just focus on the matter at hand.

Harry and Ron stared at Allen, not sure what to say to that. "Seems like you two are… Um…" Ron started, trailing off. When Allen didn't get it, he coughed in his hand, bringing his two forefingers together and moving them in a very suggesting way. When Allen caught on, he turned beet red and stuttered out refusals, eyes wide in mortification.

Hermione smacked the back of Ron's head, frowning at him. "Really Ron? Are you that dense? Please Allen, excuse my friend. He doesn't seem to know when to keep his wits about him."

"Ah, it's, uh, it's okay. I guess." Allen ran his fingers through his hair, his face still as red as an apple. Ron reminded him of Lavi. Always assuming things without the facts. Actually, Hermione reminded him more of Lavi then Ron. Ron just reminded Allen of the gross, perverted part of him. "I-If we're done here, I'd like to go and get some sleep…"

With that, Allen got up and left, leaving Hermione to scold Ron and Harry about 'scaring him off'.

Making his way down the stairs to his room, Allen peaked his head into Kanda's room, his cheeks reddening when he saw the older male with his hair spread out on the pillow, asleep, and then left, closing the door silently. Plopping down on the bed in his own temporary room, Allen sighed and closed his eyes, ready to let the blackness of sleep entangle him in a world of dreams.

When he opened his eyes to dark cobalt ones looking back at him, Allen sighed mentally. So much for peaceful dreaming…

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Okay guys, so how was that? I'm sorry it was a filler, but I had to get some stuff laid out on the table before ya'll ate. (If you caught onto that metaphor, I applaud you!) Anyways, feed my plot bunny reviews! They're its favorite! And the reason why I like reviews so much, is because they tell me what the person liked in my story! You know, events and such, like in this chapter. *wink wink* Yep, especially in this chapter.

R&R?