Hello readers and welcome to my new chapter. Here, we're gonna be starting the adventure in Library Island. So, I hope you enjoy.
Disclaimer: I do not own Negima or Harry Potter.
Chapter 07: The Adventure on Library Island Pt 1
After homeroom was over, Class 2-A left to go to lunch. Several of them are at least a bit mentally exhausted from the workout their brains had, but the game they used to study was fun, and got them motivated in learning. Who knew use could use poker with studying?
"Well, that was fun." Konoka commented cheerfully. She's one of the few who isn't as mentally exhausted as the others. "Harry-kun sure knows how to make study time more fun for us?"
"But it was still exhausting." Asuna moaned, her head hung. She was one of the few that was the most exhausted. "My brain had to work up to the max. And we still have detention as well."
"Well, at least you're getting smarter." Konoka said to her. She did not add, even if it's just a little bit. That wouldn't help with Asuna's current mood. "Anyway, do you want to get a drink while we eat lunch? Maybe a soda can get your mind off of detention for a while."
"Sure. I got my wallet, right…." Asuna fumbled around for her wallet, only to see that it was gone. "Crap! I forgot it in the classroom!" She quickly turned and ran to the classroom. "Just get to the lunchroom without me! I'll catch up!"
"K Asuna!" She heard Konoka called back. Quickly getting back to the classroom, she was about to open the door, when she heard Negi and Harry talking.
"Maybe we could use some form a magic to help them learn faster?" She heard the brat suggest. Asuna perked up at this. What are they talking about?
She heard Harry sighed. "Negi, I thought we talked about this. No using magic to help them cheat."
"I know, but maybe there's something that increase their speed in learning, if only temporary." Negi hastily explained. "That's not cheating, is it?"
Asuna narrowed her eyes. The brat is going to try and use magic to get them to learn the stuff? "Negi, it's dangerous to mess with a person's mind, let alone several." She heard Harry scolding the kid. "And either way, they have to learn their own way, with no form of magic mess with their minds."
She silently nodded her head to this. She's glad that someone like Harry is there to make sure the brat doesn't do anything reckless. She couldn't be the only one watching him.
"Why are you bringing this up anyway? We talked about this before Negi." Harry questioned the young boy. "We can't rely on our magic for everything, and we need to put our students first."
She heard Negi sighed sadly. "I know, and I understand, but," Judging by the small silence, Asuna's guessing that the brat is struggling to say the next thing.
"Are you worried about being sent home Negi?" Harry questioned. The question made Asuna's eyes widen in shock. "Don't worry so much Negi. Have faith in these girls, they'll be able to pull things around. This won't be the only year we'll be teaching."
Asuna felt shock going through her system. If Class 2-A goes in last place, Negi and Harry is going to get fired?
But the shock she felt won't be a comparison to the next thing Negi says. "No, it isn't that. I….I know that if we fail to bring Class 2-A up, you'll be forced to leave Mahora!"
Silence. Asuna didn't, or couldn't, say anything. Not only because she need to keep her cover, but because the shock made her silent. If Class 2-A fails….Harry will be kicked out from Mahora?
"I guess Hedwig told you, huh?" Harry said, his voice sounding like a sighed. "She told you what other part was on my note?"
"Yes, she did." She heard Negi confirmed. "And I don't want you to be kicked out of your home Harry-san! I know that if you do, you won't have anywhere else to go!"
She heard another sighed, and then what sounds like a pat on the head. "You're worrying too much Negi." Harry said, his voice soft. "Don't worry. We need to have faith in these girls, that they'll do their very best. And no matter what, we can't use magic on them just so we can get what we want. We need to put them first, ourselves last."
It was silent for a moment. Then, Negi spoke again. "And you're not worried about leaving your home?" The boy asked. "You told me before that you didn't had a home before coming here. What would you do if they still end up in last place?"
She heard Harry sigh again. Then, he spoke in a more sadden tone. "Then that's that. I'll leave and either see if I can find a new home, or travel around again."
(Bath House)
The thoughts been plaguing her all day long. No matter what, the thought of Negi and Harry getting fired, along with Harry leaving Mahora, made her heart clenched. Nothing could get her mind off of it, especially whenever she see either of the two young teachers.
'It's no wonder the squirt was so panicky today.' Asuna thought as she washed herself. She, along with the rest of Class 2-A, are currently in the bath house. 'But how can Harry be so calm about it? Like nothing bad isn't going to happen?'
The fact that he can keep his emotions in check impress Asuna, but it also worries her. She can't help but wonder what he's thinking about the situation. Is he accepting this like he said to Negi? Is he as worried as the brat? Is he angry at all at what the principal did?
Asuna sighed. "Sometimes, it's hard to tell with that guy." Harry is good at schooling his emotions when he needs to.
She looked down. "What am I going to do?" Asuna asked herself. She can't let them get fired, not without doing her very best. Not even with the possibility of having Takahata-sensei as their homeroom again. But she's not completely sure if they could get up from dead last, even if the studying the two teachers are doing for them is helping a lot. How can she make sure that there won't be any chance of them getting fired?
She looked up when she heard Konoka calling. "Asuna, Asuna! Big news!"
And that's when the answer is found for her.
(With Harry)
Twirling his pencil, Harry thought about what he should do for the class within the next several days. The exams are close by, and he needs to find more ways to get them studying, and a chance at passing with good marks. So, he's on his desk, thinking about what to do.
"Maybe you could do a different subjects each of those days?" Hedwig suggested to Harry. The owl is seated on the table Harry's is at. "Each day, the class focus on two or more subject."
Harry hummed at the idea. "That's sound like a reasonable idea." Harry agreed. "Now, to find out what to do for each of those subjects. Can't be doing poker every time."
So, the bird and the mage went through different ways to make each subject. From board games to physical stuff for those that learns better when moving, Harry and Hedwig found ways to make the subjects more interesting.
As Harry wrote in the last idea, Harry put down his penciled and relaxed onto the chair, his arms folded on the desk. "Sometimes, I wonder what I would do without you Hedwig." Harry admitted.
"You would be a mess, that's what." Hedwig chirped playfully. Harry rolled his eyes at the cheeky owl.
Before he could say anything about that, he noticed something from outside the window. He saw the Baka Rangers, Negi, Konoka, Nodoka, and Haruna all walking outside, with the boy in the group still in his pajamas.
Harry narrowed his eyes at this. "What on earth are they doing?" Harry asked. Sighing, he stood up from his chair. "Looks like Mana and Setsuna will have to take my shifts for right now. Can you deliver a couple of messages for me?"
"Of course. It is my job after all." Hedwig replied. Harry nodded and began writing a few letters quickly.
Something tells him that he might be gone for a while. And he needs to make sure that the class continues studying while he's out.
(Library Island)
After hearing about the magical book that could make people smarter, Asuna got the rest of the Baka Rangers, Konoka, Haruna, Nodoka, and Negi to go to library island, to find that book. Since several of them believed that if the failed, they might be separated from each other, along with the Baka Rangers going back to kindergarten, it didn't take much convincing.
Usually, she wouldn't be go chasing a tall-tale, but considering there are two mages that are her teachers, maybe there is a magical book somewhere. Plus, this is an emergency.
"Here's the secret entrance." Yue announced to everyone, stopping in front of a large. "We have to be careful. Since this entrance is off limits to middle schoolers, there's bound to be several traps."
"That seems to be much for a library." Asuna commented with a sweatdrop.
"Are you sure we should do this?" Makie asked in concern. "What if Harry founds out? I don't know if he would approve of it."
Asuna turned to Makie with a grin. "Don't worry. I'm sure we'll be out of here before he suspects anything."
"Don't count on it Asuna."
"!" Spinning around, they look to see Harry looking at them, with a displeased frown on his face.
"Would you girls mind telling me why you're in library island, at the off limits lower level, with a tired ten year old boy with you?" Harry questioned with a raised eyebrow. "And judging by his tired face, I doubt he knows."
Sure enough, Negi is looking at the girls in confusion. "Why are we here?" Negi asked.
"Oh. Well, um," Asuna struggled to find an excuse as to why we're here
Unfortunately, Yue decided to speak up. "We're going to look for the magical book in library island." Yue told her, shocking Negi.
"What?!" The boy exclaimed.
"Since we don't know if we can get out of last place, we the Baka Rangers are going to get that book so our grades will get up." Yue explained to him.
Harry stared at them. The intense gaze made several of the girls squirm uncomfortably. Then, he sighed. "Girls, you do realize how desperate this looks like right? Looking for a magical book to make you smarter?" Harry asked them. That got several blushes and sheepish looks. "This so-called magic book, that could just make a person smarter by reading it, that's called studying. In order to pass, take the time to study, not find the easier ways out. There aren't such things in life."
"But we're already trying that, and it's taking so long." Makie protested. "Plus, if we end up in last place again, our classes will get split."
Harry raised an eyebrow. "Where on earth did you hear that?"
"Sakurako heard rumors about it." Yue explained to him. "She heard that the one with the lowest grades will end up getting split apart, with the dumbest students having to go back to kindergarten."
"That's why we need the book, de-gozaru. So we can prevent that from happening." Kaede then spoke up. "I know you don't want to take short-cuts Harry-sensei, but we need to make sure that we don't get split."
Harry continuing gazing at them, taking in each of their faces. 'What in bloody hell are you planning Headmaster?' Harry sighed in his head. 'Why do you want them to go to library island?' It didn't take much to figure out that Headmaster Konoe wants them to come here. Otherwise, he would've told the entire school about thi rather than let rumors floating around.
'Well, if you plan sending a bunch of students in a deadly underground library, I'm gonna make sure they survive.' Harry thought in resignation before he spoke to the girls. "I still stand on what I said about studying, and will continue to do," Seeing them tense, as if to run or fight, Harry continued. "But I can see that you girls are set on this. I'll join you girls, to make sure you're safe."
Shock looks appeared on their faces. "But Harry-san, if you still disagree, why are coming along instead of trying to stop them?" Negi questioned. The boy is now fully awake, and is confused by all of this. Especially about the rumors.
"Even if I do disagree, I can't force them out of here without a fight Negi." Harry explained to him calmly. "So, the best case scenario is to make sure that they don't get hurt. I know Kaede and Fei Ku are fully capable of handling themselves, and that Asuna isn't a slouch in strength and speed, but it still our responsibilities as a teacher, and as their friend, to make sure they're safe."
That several smiles from the girls. No matter what, Harry would make sure they stay safe, even when he knows they're capable. They all know it's not because he sees them as weak, but because he cares for people in general, especially his friend.
Negi stared at Harry in amazement. Harry always seems to amaze him the more he got to know him. Then, a determine look set on Negi's face. If Harry is going to protect his students no matter what, then he will to.
Still, he wonders what rumors the girls are talking about. As far as he knew, nothing bad is going to happen to the class with the lowest. Well, not to the students anyway.
"B-But, what about the rest of the students?" Nodoka asked quietly. "S-Shouldn't at least Negi or Harry stay back in case you guys are gone for too long?"
Harry smirked. "Don't worry. I already got that taken care of." Harry reassured. He turned to Yue. "So, you're going to lead the way Yue?"
The girl nodded. "Follow me." She instructed, and the Baka Rangers, plus Konoka, Negi, and Harry, began to follow her into the secret entrance. Before they could, however, Haruna grabbed Harry's hand.
The boy-who-lived turned to her in confusion. "Before you go Harry," Before he could do anything, Haruna wrapped her arms around his neck and gave him a quick kiss on the cheek. Harry blushed while Haruna grinned. "Just a little good luck token."
Behind Harry, Yue shook her head at Haruna's flirty self while Makie and Fei Ku giggled. Kaede glared at Haruna and Asuna felt a spike of annoyance from seeing the scene.
'Wait, why am I annoyed?' Asuna thought to herself.
"Er, okay. Thank you." Harry stuttered out before moving into the secret part of the library quickly. "Let's move along girls before the sun rises up." As he fast walked, the other girls ran up a little to catch up to him. Kaede send Haruna one last glare of annoyance before putting her eyes forward.
Nodoka sweatdropped while Haruna covered her lips and chuckled. "You really love to get your rivals angry, huh Haruna?" Nodoka quietly asked.
"Yes I do Nodoka, yes I do." Was Haruna's reply.
(With the Baka Rangers, plus three)
"Library Island was was established during the Meiji Era, along with the academy. It's the largest library in the entire world." Yue explained to everyone. "During World War II, rare and important are found all around for safekeeping. And due to the collection's continue growthed, it had to be re-drawn for an underground expansion. There's very few, if any, that is familiar with the entire complex."
"And so, for the purpose of exploring this place," Yue continued. "Mahora University inaugurated us, the Mahora Academy Library Expedition Club!"
Harry is going to comment on Yue's knowledge about this island later, especially since she's doing bad on history. Right now, he's in awe of the many books here, the same with everyone else. "Wow! There are so many books here!" Negi stated in amazement.
"Yeah." Harry agreed. He peered through all of the books. "And this is only level three of the secret entrance. You're saying that Mahora collected that much knowledge about the world and it's secrets?"
"That's what I'm saying." Yue confirmed. She took a sip of her juice. "This is basement level three of the island. We've been told that middle schoolers can't go any further than this level."
"This is like a dungeon level game, aru." Fei Ku said, looking around the island. Meanwhile, Negi got a look of some of the rare books.
Negi called out to Asuna and Harry. "Look Asuna-san, Harry-san! These books are very rare to find!"
"Ah, sensei!" Yue called out hastily. "In order for people not to steal these books, we have…."
Suddenly, an arrow shot out from one of the shelves. Before it could hit Negi, Kaede grabbed the arrow, causing Negi to cry out in shock.
"...a lot of traps." Yue finished as Kaede snapped the arrows. "So please take care. Okay?"
Unfortunately, that freaked out Asuna and Makie. "You have got to be kidding me!" Makie exclaimed.
"You could die from something like that!" Asuna exclaimed. "Are they for real?"
Yue called out to Haruna and Nodoka. "This is Yue. We've reached down to basement level 3."
"Roger!"
"Give it your best!" Haruna and Nodoka called out respectively.
As Yue ended the call, Negi spoke up. "Are you sure getting the magical book worth risking our lives….?" Negi questioned, a bit scared at the situation and worried for his students.
"Don't worry sensei, we won't let these traps hit us!" Kaede stated confidently. "We'll get that book in no time."
"We'll need to be careful though." Harry said. "There's no telling what kind of trap there will be around this library."
While Yue got out of the map, and the other girls gathered around to hear her out, Asuna move up to Harry and Negi. "Looks, if things go bad, you guys use your magic to help us out." She whispered to them. "I'll cover for you guys if needed."
Harry nodded. "That's been my plan since the start."
"Um, I would but," Negi began, twiddling his fingers. The two teens stared at Negi with a frown, wonder what's wrong, when Harry noticed the black lines on the bottom of his wrists.
Harry's eyes widen. "Oh Negi. Tell me you didn't…." His fear was concerned when Negi nodded meekly.
Asuna look at the two in confusion. "Um, what's going on? What did the brat do?" Asuna questioned. Harry sighed and turned to the girl.
"Apparently, Negi took my advice not to use magic as a crutch a bit too seriously." Harry explained. "And because of that, he decided to seal his magic. For three days, from the looks of it."
"WHAT?!" Asuna exploded. "Negi won't have his powers for three days?! We might not last three minutes here!"
"I'm sorry!" Negi cried out, bowing his head. "I didn't know this kind of thing would happen!"
Harry groaned. "Asuna, calm down." Harry urged. "Negi had no way of knowing he'll be going on an adventure like this, so we can't get angry at him. Plus, don't forget I still have my magic. So don't worry about all too much."
Asuna was silent for a moment. Then, she took a deep breath then let it out, letting herself calm down. "Alright, I calmed down. Come on, let's see what the others are talking about." The two mages nodded and follow Asuna towards the others.
Hopefully, his magic, plus Kaede's and Fei Ku's skills in combat, will be enough to counteract any traps here.
And that's the end. I hope all of you liked this chapter. It was a bit tough, but I manage to finish it. Review, favorite, and follow and I will see you later.
