Author's Note: Haha~ Here's the next chapter of OfK!
Disclaimer (Dark Side of the Moon): I don't own Harry Potter or Hetalia. (They wouldn't take my five-dollar bill.)
Friday came quickly for Kiku. The whole week had been very stressful after what happened with Draco on Monday. He hadn't heard anything from the Slytherin since he petrified him. All week, Japan was expecting for some teacher, or maybe even Dumbledore himself, to come up to him and expel him. The silence was making him so paranoid that he was surprised that he wasn't twitching under the stress. At least he'd always been productive in his stress. In the last few days, he'd nearly perfected his English and you could hardly tell that it wasn't his first language.
He and Hermione were fast friends. They'd quiz each other and practice charms. The duo would also chit-chat on magical theories and the strange differences between muggle and wizarding life. Luna and Neville would often provide input on the wizarding side of life while Hermione and Kiku would explain about muggle technology. These discussions were giving Kiku and the others a better understanding of the wizarding and muggle world.
All in all, thanks to his friends, Kiku was getting amazing grades in school.
When he woke up on Friday morning, he immediately got ready for the day. He had so much news for England; both bad and good. He never told England and the others about Kuro's latest attempt… he felt that such important things needed to be discussed in person… at the meeting…
Luna was worried for him. He could tell. He knows that she's worried for him. She'd try to bring up what happened, only to have the subject changed. His other friends were starting to think that something was wrong. It didn't help that they were also trying to understand what was wrong. Luckily, after the scar incident, they weren't as persistent as Luna.
"Promise me you won't hurt yourself."
"I'm sorry," Kiku whispered to nobody, wrapping his arms around his legs, curling in on himself, "I can't promise anything I might not be able to keep…"
To say he wasn't scared would be and outright lie. He was scared that he couldn't stop Kuro. He wasn't just scared though, he was terrified. He was terrified of what Kuro would do to his friends- what he might do to the world. "How many lives would be lost this time…? Thousands? Millions? An uncountable amount?"
His mind drifted to Luna, "What will happen to her? What about the others at Hogwarts? Hermione? Neville?" Kiku shook his head. He needed to focus on getting ready for the day. He still had lessons, after all.
Luna entered the Great Hall biting her lip. "Today's the day… I'm going to meet my own country today… England… Or should I call him Arthur? It is his name…" She quickly made her way to the Gryffindor table, not even bothering to head to the Ravenclaw area anymore.
Upon seeing a familiar head of dark hair, she asked, "Have you got any mail yet?"
"No, not ye- nevermind." Kiku's reply changed course as he spotted his owl, Noctis, flying down to him. "Here it comes…"
Noctis gracefully landed on his owner's shoulder. Hooting cheerily as usual, he extended his leg, allowing Kiku to untie the parchment from it. Kiku unfurled the note as Noctis nuzzled his cheek, eyes brightening with interest as he saw that there were two pages instead of one.
Luna could only watch as his eyes scanned over the complicated swirls and twists of the Original language. Slowly she let her mind wander, trying to find pictures within the text.
"That one there almost looks like a dolphin…" She mused, easily imagining the creature swimming through the words. Her daydreams were interrupted as Kiku turned to the second page. "… Is that a map of Hogwarts?"
A small "Hmm…" escaped Kiku's lips, causing her to look at his face.
"So what does the letter say?"
Kiku's eyes shifted around the hall. "How about we go to the library after we eat? I'll tell you then."
"Okay! But I'd like to know: Has one of them seen an Umgubular Slashkilter?"
Kiku scanned the letter once again, "Ah… Lukas-san says he might've. He's not sure if he'd call it that though…"
"No worries," Luna smiled, "Something might've been lost in the translation over the years."
"… Maybe…" He answered uncertainly, "Ah… Ohayo, Hermione-san."
"Good morning to you too, Kiku. You and Luna must be early risers to beat the older students and me here."
"Well of course I'm an early riser!" Luna exclaimed joyfully, "Several different creatures are more active in the morning! There are the Pygmy Macers, Nargles, Dabberblimps, and many, many more!"
"… I'm not sure whether to say you're crazy or to acknowledge that you may or may not be the discoverer of several new breeds of animals…" Hermione trailed off uneasily, still trying to understand that Kiku can see the creatures too. "So…" she said, changing the subject, "Kiku, why do you get up so early in the mornings?"
"Ah…" Kiku shrugged, "Perhaps I am just used to it. Besides, mornings are beautiful- especially if you can catch the sunrise."
"Oh. That makes sense," Hermione commented, "I get up early because I have to get ready for classes and make sure I have everything where I need it."
Kiku and Luna nodded in understanding before digging into their meals. Hermione didn't even bother to talk about anything, making Luna worried. "Hermione…? Are you feeling well?"
"Hm? Oh. I'm just thinking- that's all."
"About what?" Kiku inquired.
"… Kiku, are you homesick?" Hermione asked shyly, "You've seemed off lately. I know I haven't known you for long but, if you want to, we could talk about it."
Kiku blinked. Luna stared. "I've never even thought of that… Can he even get homesick? He technically is his own home…"
"… No. I'm just not used to the school yet." Kiku deadpanned, poking his food.
Luna took this as a signal that he was done. "Kiku! Quick look! There's a Narantian Sloth-Bear! Let's go follow it!"
"Nani?!" Luna quickly grabbed his arm and dragged him out of the Great Hall towards the Library. "I didn't see anything!"
"Relax. I just made it up so we could get here without Hermione coming with us. Can you tell me what the letter says now?"
"Oh… That makes perfect sense. Hai… It says:
'Dear Kiku and Luna Lovegood,
We've made a map of Hogwarts with Scotland's help. Don't worry- he doesn't know why we needed one. We've marked out all of the secret passages along with footnotes for where they lead. The Room of Requirements can be found on this map too. We will meet you there during supper. We will bring food.
To access the room, you have to walk past it three times thinking whatever it is you need. Vladimir, Lukas and I will meet you there after you get in there. Make sure that the room has a fireplace.
Arthur
Dear Japan and Luna,
I cannot say I have seen an Umgubular Slashkilter, but I have seen some interesting things. Is it possible that you are talking about something else?
Lukas
Hello Japan! Hello Luna!
It's been so long since I last saw you, Kiku! I look forward to tonight's meeting. (Now we can finally decide on a name! The others don't really like my idea for our group…) I am excited to meet your friend Luna; she must be a nice person.
Member #01 of NERJ,
Vladimir'" Japan finished, eyebrows raised in puzzlement. "… Even after I reread it, I still am clueless about whatever NERJ is."
"Maybe it's a code for something."
Kiku shrugged. "Oh well… We'd better get ready to go to class. I'll see you later today."
"Alright."
The day, just like the others, passed in a blur for Kiku. His lessons were done for the day and now he was waiting for Luna to show up. He was soon distracted by a group of owls bringing a long, brown package to Harry. He saw as Harry opened the letter that was attached and showed it to Ron. The redhead groaned something and they got up to leave the hall.
"Did I keep you long?" Luna's voice caught his attention.
"No. Let's go."
The two made their way out of the room, mentally preparing themselves for the meeting. Unfortunately, Kiku has some luck.
"That's a broomstick," Draco said, throwing the package at Harry. "You'll be in for it this time, Potter, first years aren't allowed them."
"Actually, Harry is a special case. He gets one because he's the new Gryffindor seeker." Luna, with Kiku at her side, interjected before Ron could say anything.
"H-how did you know that?" Harry asked in amazement.
"I was at the Quidditch Pitch a few days ago looking for my Nargle friends and overheard Wood and McGonagall talking about it." Luna stated dreamily.
Seeing Harry ignore him, Draco focused his sights on Kiku. "Why are you still here?"
"Why wouldn't I still be here?" Kiku tried to dodge the question.
"Don't you dare play dumb with me, you unwanted git. You and I both know what I'm talking about." Malfoy growled, "Why are you still here? You should've been expelled by now."
Of course, by now, Harry and Ron were watching the two boys, probably wondering what the hell they were talking about.
"I do not think that I should be expelled for your insults." Kiku said as calmly as he could.
"Says the one who attacked me!" Malfoy seethed.
"Ah. Sorry. I will try to make sure it doesn't happen in the future." Japan deadpanned.
"What? No bowing this time?" Malfoy mocked.
"I am not going to bow to you. I've no respect for those who insult family and hurt my friends." Kiku really was starting to get irritated; he had no time for this!
"You hypocrite." Draco spat.
"Think of me as you like. I have no time for petty arguments with the likes of you. Farewell." Kiku walked past Draco, who was just standing in place, shaking in irritation.
"You filthy mudblood!" Malfoy hissed, raising his wand, "Petrificus Totalus!" he said as the spell burst from his wand to Kiku's back.
Unfortunately for Draco, fighting, martial arts, and being in the military for well over a thousand years helps one with reflexes. Especially when they were also a ninja for a good portion of their lives. In a matter of seconds, Kiku pushed Luna out of harm's way and was right behind Draco, his wand pressed against Draco's throat.
"Never do that again." Kiku growled. He then dropped his stance. "I have to go." He nodded to Ron and Harry who just stood there, before turning on his heel and walking off with Luna behind him.
"Keh. Crabbe, Goyle, let's go." Malfoy steamed as he stalked off, dumb and dumber following faithfully in his wake.
"What the bloody hell was that?" Ron swore.
Harry never expected to see the calm Kiku get in a legitimate fight with Draco. He could imagine an argument with words, but never thought that they would start shooting spells. "… I don't know… Let's go to the commons and take a peek at my new broom."
"… Fine," Ron grumbled, "but next time we see Kiku, we're going to find out what the hell that was about!"
Ah... Life.
Kiku has quite the bad luck, doesn't he?
The next chapter will have the meeting in it- that's right. This means that the countries are going to meet Luna. What could possibly go wrong?
Anyhow, R&R!
