Disclaimer: D. Gray-man and Harry Potter and their characters do not belong to myself or Azhwi. They are the property of Hoshino Katsura-san and J. K. Rowling, and all associated thus.
By the same token, this story does not belong to anyone else, and as such, any elements not associated with Harry Potter or D. Gray-man are by proxy mine and my co-writer's to do with as we please. Do not take and reuse, redistribute or warp in any manner. Thank you.
The Depths We Will Go To
Part 1: Harry Potter Had it Easy
Chapter 8: And So We Say Goodbye
Fandom: D. Gray-man x Harry Potter
Characters: Kanda, Allen, Albus, Scorpius, James, mentions of others
Summary: A few loose ends are tied up, and the surprises are significantly more pleasant than expected.
Warning: Violence, language, shonen ai
Rating: T
Written by: Azhwi and Lost to the Hoping
Yes, this one is SUPER short. You'll live.
Probably the only one that wasn't fidgeting a bit under the stern gaze of Professor McGonagall had to be Kanda, and Albus was pretty sure that was simply because the guy was a sodding rock. Hell, even Allen looked like he didn't want to duke it out with the lady (and as it turned out, this was a wise thing indeed).
"All of you," she said flatly, frowning at them.
Albus knew what she was thinking. The two Potter boys and the heir to the Malfoy fortune. Oh, their families were going to be so thrilled with her. He could see the reactions now...
Astoria Malfoy, beautiful, deadly, bitchy... Crashing into the Headmistress' office and demanding an explanation, while her husband just kind of lurked like a pro in the background. And then in would come Harry and Ginny, the latter enraged and the former concerned and serious. Voices would be raised, panic would ensue... So glad I told Rose and Lily... they should be able to handle it... I hope.
Unless, of course, Ginny Potter decided she was pissed enough. Then they might just have another Dark Lord (Re: Lady) on their hands. Holy crap, wouldn't that be a sight? It's almost worth the wait.
And McGonagall was still ranting at them, wasn't she?
"... last time I agree to help you out, am I clear, Mr. Kanda, Mr. Walker?"
She was answered by a very, very loud rumble, and Allen turned faintly red. Hickory-colored eyes narrowed at him, and he nodded quickly. "We understand! We'll let Komui know as soon as we return," he said sheepishly.
Albus almost felt bad for the poor guy. They were late for breakfast, and he had to deal with that glare. Man, I hope my mom doesn't show up at 'headquarters'. Holy crap.
"...ry well then. When do you plan on leaving?" the woman demanded sharply.
That was when the living statue called Kanda actually moved. Its mouth opened and Albus saw the throat shift, but whatever Kanda had to say was drowned out by another gurgle that whined more than it thundered.
Albus turned his head and gave Allen an incredulous look. Seriously, man?
The pale shadow to the Potter's right cleared his throat. "Perhaps we should hurry up and get some food..." Scorpius suggested, Not Looking at Allen.
There was a slight smile on James' lips as he nodded to headmistress McGonagall. "I believe that we are leaving right after breakfast." No one wanted to travel while Walker was hungry. Might eat us instead.
The now scowling Kanda turned to face the woman. "Immediately after breakfast," he confirmed. Then grimaced. "I ask for permission to take necessary provisions from the kitchen as well."
McGonagall frowned at him but nodded. "Of course," she said, voice like iron. "Now, if I may have a moment with my former students? You may both go on to the Main Hall. I'll send them along in a few minutes."
Albus exchanged a curious look with Scorpius, whose icy calm expression didn't change. However, the Potter could read him well enough to know his friend was just as bemused. So he nodded to the Headmistress.
As the two exorcists bowed to the headmistress, James took a deep breath and kept his eyes on McGonagall. She didn't look happy, but if what he heard was right, she knew this would happen. And if she was expecting this, then the war she was allowing them to walk into was worth it. The door behind him clicked shut.
For a moment, the woman before them said nothing. She took the time to eye all of them separately, before exhaling slowly. "I'm not going to waste apologies on you, for what you're going to go through. I'm not going to tell you that it's going to be okay, and everything will be easy, because the fact is... it won't be." She frowned at them. "All I can hope is that you will be able to watch out for each other in the time ahead. I want you to be careful, all three of you."
She pushed away from her spot leaning against the desk, and stepped around it, picking up an opened letter. "Now normally, this entire process would have been slowed down considerably not only because of your age, but also because we would have to wait for permission from your parents..."
The younger Potter frowned. "But?" he ventured when she hesitated.
"But it's already been given." She held out the letter.
"What?!" both Potters exclaimed. James reached out and snagged the letter a scant half inch before Albus. He started to read aloud:
"To my two sons, James and Albus Potter, and to Scorpius Malfoy,
The Headmistress McGonagall has informed me of the situation at Hogwarts and has forwarded all information on the Black Order that she has. I daresay, it's a sight more than you boys have combined.
I cannot say it is an easy matter sending my boys to war. Draco is none too pleased (Scorpius, expect a howler as soon as you reach Headquarters. I don't envy you. I've already received a few). However, I cannot deny the danger in keeping two fledgling exorcists from learning to control their powers and protecting those unable to save themselves. I'd be branding myself a hypocrite. I've done many dangerous (Draco insists 'imbecilic' is the proper term) things in my time at Hogwarts. I only hope that you will be safer alongside those who have been trained and who have years of experience (Please don't show this letter to either Ron or Hermione. I don't like being hexed, no matter what others say).
Do not expect to disappear into the night without hearing from me, Draco, or your mothers. And this is an implicit warning: We Will Hunt You Down if you fail to send an owl every month.
James, I know you will follow Albus. You're just that stubborn.
Albus, for Merlin's sake, don't let James out of your sight!
[Here the handwriting changed] Scorpius, I will be sending you a private letter shortly, but for now I will say this. You are a Malfoy. I have faith that you will succeed and thrive in whatever atmosphere you will encounter at this so called Headquarters. I know you will make me proud. You always have.
Your mother is writing you a howler at this instant. She is... Well, let's just say it will take a while for the screeching to wind down. I love you, son. Be well.
Signed,
Draco Malfoy
[Then the writing changed back] And with that, I shall also end the letter saying: Take care, both of you. All of you are loved very deeply by your parents, your siblings, your friends. We all look forward to LETTERS and PICTURES, and the occasional VISIT. And I am proud of you both.
Oh, and boys, you are not going unscathed; Ginny is also writing a howler. Aren't you lucky? There is one for each of you.
Signed,
Harry Potter
PS: You didn't think we wouldn't know, did you?"
He didn't know about the other two, but James was feeling a little dazed. His younger brother grabbed the parchment from his loose grip as the older Potter staggered to the side and sat down. His own words to Albus came back and he had to smile. No, they hadn't told their parents what was going on. Nor had they said good bye to them.
"We do deserve every one of those howlers," James said with a sigh, rubbing two fingers over his brow.
"May I see that?" Scorpius asked Albus softly, and took the letter when it was held out. His eyes ran over it and the tall youth smiled faintly.
Albus grinned. "Ohhh, yes. You still know that muting charm, right? The one that lets only the one addressed hear?" he asked his brother.
One dark brow lifted. "You really think Mom hasn't found a way to get around that already?" James asked sardonically.
"Yeah, I forgot it too," was the cheeky reply.
McGonagall sighed. "Alright, I'll need the letter back, Mr. Malfoy. And you had all best be on your way before the others get concerned."
Scorpius reluctantly relinquished the letter to her, though he was obviously pleased by the contents (even the threat of a howler couldn't dampen the words 'I love you'). "Yeah, I'm hungry," he agreed softly.
"Food!" Albus said, grabbing his brother's arm and hauling him up out of the seat. "Let's get some before Allen eats it all."
Chuckling, James allowed himself to be dragged out. "Not even Allen can eat that much!"
The three young men nodded and said their farewells to their now ex-headmistress, and slipped out into the now bustling halls of the school.
"Our last meal here," the older Potter said softly, voice all but unheard in the surrounding clamour.
A dark shadow came up on his left. "Thank fucking God for that."
James blinked. "Kanda?"
"Moyashi went on ahead," the shorter man said, strides lengthening to match Potter's.
The younger two wizards were pulled away, jostled by the crowd. James lifted a hand and waved to Albus who had looked back. "You didn't have to wait," he said to the exorcist by his side.
Kanda snorted. "The less time spent around that walking vacuum, the better." They walked through two halls in companionable silence before he spoke again. "No regrets?"
James was watching the students milling about him, taking in the familiar walls, the smiling faces, the movement in gilded frames. "I'll miss this," he admitted, "but no, no regrets." He turned to smirk at his friend. "You?"
For a moment, the Japanese transfer student blinked. Then Kanda rolled his eyes. "You have to ask?"
James laughed.
xXx
There you go, last chapter of part 1! I… don't know when the next part will be posted. I'll look into it. ^^; Thank you for all the reviews and faves and watches! You're all wonderful.
