Hermione was struggling. So far this Academy wasn't appealing to her in anyway other than Harry being here. Other than Yukari's blatant flaunting of the school's main rule about monster identities, there was no magic.

There was the occasional slip of a student's monster form… and the frequent appearance of Miss Nekonome's tail, but there were no spells, no potions… it was like primary school.

Hermione hated primary school. She loved to learn, but the teachers wouldn't teach her at her speed, they insisted on catering to the whole class.

As a now sixteen-year-old, she could see the folly and selfishness of her younger self's attitude, but it didn't change the other reasons she hated primary school.

The pupils.

They mocked her for wanting to learn more, for reading, for her hair, her teeth… so she ran away from school and found the local library.

The librarian was a young woman who, whilst sympathising with her plight, explained to her why she needed to go to school.

Hermione had tried to go back. She tried to take part in the activities that the other four and five-year-olds were doing… but they still made fun of her.

So she ran away again.

The librarian then gave her an escape during school. She helped her get a library card and explained how to take books out. She then suggested that she spend her free time at school reading. Preferably in sight of the teacher.

Hermione never knew, but the kind lady had contacted her school and her parents. It was why both parties were so accommodating.

But anyway, those were the reasons she hated normal school.

Magic and Hogwarts came when she was ten. She managed to convince herself that a school where you learnt magic would be perfect.

Surely everyone would want to learn magic. She would be able to fit in.

But, within hours of boarding the Hogwart's Express, she could feel her hopes and dreams being chipped away at. The red headed boy had been extremely dismissive of learning. The shy boy with the toad had been convinced he wouldn't even make it past the Sorting.

None of the girls were interested in talking about magic and lessons.

The small black-haired celebrity… she blamed herself for that one. She had opened her big mouth and claimed to know all about him because she read his history in a book.

God forbid she actually took a moment to realise why he was famous and why he might not want to talk about it.

But, despite her mistakes, her dreams being smashed, her hopes mocked… Harry James Potter had come to save her that Halloween.

She found her purpose in life. To help Harry however he needed.

She was still unable to change her bossy, information hungry demeanour, but she did manage to redirect it. She was proud to say that she had been able to help Harry in various ways, even helping to save his life at times.

Hearing Harry had disappeared after being banished from Magical Britain was the worst day of her life. Her reason for staying in the wizarding world was gone. Her only true friend had gone.

The less said about Hogwarts that year, the better.

She was now back with Harry… but Harry was clearly not comfortable around her.

So here she was… alone during lunch, sitting on a bench by a small lake.

"Why don't you try talking to Harry-chan?"

Hermione was startled, she hadn't heard anyone approach.

Standing in front of her was the adorable Yukari Sendo… or Sendo Yukari according to Japanese naming conventions.

"What?"

"Talk to him." Yukari repeated. "Whenever you two are near each other you… you exchange information. You ask a question about life here and he gives you the information.

"You don't talk like we all do. We talk about stupid things, funny things. We make plans, tease each other, mock each other." She finished with grin. It was blatantly obvious that Kurumu liked to flaunt her impressive bust whilst mocking Yukari for not even hitting puberty, but Yukari gave as good as she got.

"I tried talking to him." Hermione scowled. "He doesn't want to listen."

"You're supposed to talk with him. Not at him."

Once again Hermione jumped. She looked up to see Kurumu sitting on a tree branch with her wings and tail on display. Perched next to her were Hedwig and Lilith.

None of the three seemed particularly happy to be there.

"Besides, you still haven't apologised for trying to kidnap him."

"I was trying to save him." She said irritably.

"He didn't need saving." Mizore's soft voice floated from the lake, her head just visible from the eyes up.

"I realise that now-"

"So you admit you were wrong." Yukari interrupted.

"I was… misinformed." She allowed.

"Harry won't talk to you because he can't trust you." Kurumu glared at her. "If you can't admit you were wrong, what is to stop you doing it again?"

Hermione stood up angrily. "But I wasn't wrong, was I? He was being corrupted by all of you! Now he's a murderer and a sexual deviant!"

Hermione realised she probably should have kept her mouth shut as the succubus dropped from the branch with a true murderous look, Hedwig and Lilith followed, landing on her shoulders.

"Cool it torpedo chest." Mizore said warningly.

Kurumu looked even angrier, but she stopped approaching the witch. "Listen here, bitch. Harry has only ever killed in self-defence.

"He regretted every single one.

"And don't you dare judge our love or family. You aren't part of it so FUCK OFF!" She screamed with pure rage.

"The only murderer here is you." Mizore stated as she emerged from the lake, lollipop in mouth. The water fell off her like snow. "You murdered that Riddle guy."

"I was convicted of manslaughter." Hermione raised her nose in the air.

"Sure, you keep telling yourself that. Just remember, Riddle was already dealt with. Even if Gin and Moka couldn't deal with it, Harry could, plus the Chairman was there.

"He was no longer a threat to you. You killed him without warning or mercy."

"Th-That's not true!" She said as she began to cry. "He tortured me!"

"Past tense." Yukari interjected. "He wasn't torturing you when you killed him. Like Mizore said, he wasn't a threat to you."

"You wouldn't understand." She sobbed.

"Why? I was about to be eaten by my class mates when Harry saved me. Mizore… Moka, she was going to be raped and turned into a sex slave. Harry was there and helped her."

"I was molested by a teacher." Mizore said with a dark but appreciative look to Yukari as she said what the little witch almost had. "Harry killed the teacher- killed him when he was being strangled to death." She added as she saw Hermione about to latch on to that.

"Well good for you." Hermione sneered sarcastically through the tears. "I spent all of last year being tortured. Where was Harry then? Why wasn't he there for me? I've been there for him for four years and he left me!

"He was here, getting to learn and fucking you whores!"

This time it was Hedwig that responded as she flared her wings behind Kurumu's head and screeched angrily.

"You haven't heard a thing we've said, have you?" Yukari said sadly. "I think… I think you need to see the full truth.

"You think you've had it worse than Harry? Worse than us? How about you accept our memories of the last year and then you can complain."

"Yukari, come with me." They were all surprised when webbing shot from the sky, snatching the little witch with a squeak.

"Why are you all following me?" Hermione demanded.

"Because, for some reason, Harry considers you a friend." Kurumu sneered. "But we know you are a stupid, self-centred bitch."

"Said the succubus."

Kurumu looked over Hermione's shoulder to glare at Mizore.

She managed to refocus on Hermione. "Because of that, we need to make sure you aren't attacked. Harry is the most precious thing we have. We won't let him get hurt. It would hurt him if you died."

There was another thud and squeak as Yukari fell out of the tree to land on her butt. Keito lazily slid down next to before her spider legs vanished inside her and she did up her black blazer.

"We need to speak with Moka and Ririko-san, but we will ensure Granger-san learns the truth." Keito informed them.

The problem with Yukari's plan was that it led to the risk of Hermione knowing about Harry's elemental nature. There were two ways they thought of to deal with this.

One was that they doctor the memories before they gave them to her.

Two was that they simply make the witch take an oath to never reveal Harry's secrets.

They opted to go with the second, they made it clear that she take the oath or Moka would pull strings to have her sent back to the magical enclave.

And thus, Hermione Granger made her way down the memory lane of Harry Potter.

Harry was blissfully unaware of all of this as he sat with Mako, eating lunch on a bench outside the school. As per his request, she was dressed in her original nurse's outfit. It helped prevent the massive plague of nosebleeds amongst the male student population.

Harry liked to talk to Mako. She was very knowledgeable and answered every question as best she could.

Initially, Harry had been leery of being around his assassin. Not because he feared her, but because he thought her real personality might be trapped inside, hating him, wishing him dead.

He didn't want anything to do with slavery.

But Ririko had assured him that she had completely rewritten her personality. She could still be the cruel and lethal monstrel assassin, but her loyalty was always to Ririko and thus Harry.

"What do you do all day whilst we are in class?" He asked.

"I read. I clean the house. I make sure Mistress' toys are lubricated and in good condition."

Harry blushed as he quickly looked around for anyone who might hear that. The coast was clear.

"How old are you?" He asked, he was curious and it was certainly a lot safer territory than Ririko's toys.

"Eighteen."

"Really?" Harry was surprised. "But, didn't you attend school here?"

"I did, but only for a few months. I was treated as inferior by the pure blood monsters."

"But how would they know what you are?"

"This whole 'monster identities are a secret' rule must be recent." Mako shrugged. "We were required to maintain human form, but we had to introduce ourselves and reveal our race on our first day."

"I wonder if you are one of the reasons for the rule?"

"I don't think I did anything wrong." She frowned, making her nose crinkle cutely.

Harry smiled. "No, I meant, maybe the rule was made so people like you couldn't be treated badly."

"I don't think it worked." She said as she followed Harry as he rose. "It just meant everybody was fair game."

Harry couldn't argue with the 'fair game' part. She was obviously referring to people like Moka and himself.

And that was when the four-legged monster hit them.

Five-feet high, a dark black-brown colour, covered in spikes. Spiky the Porcupine Monster was the Headmaster's pet.

A mean ol' bastard who was rarely seen around the school. Harry knew about it from the few times he had seen it in the Headmaster's office. It was usually docile and asleep.

But now it was on his chest and pawing viciously at him. He was bleeding badly but had managed to turn his chest to stone to prevent further damage.

The students were watching in horror.

"Hold still!"

That was a new voice.

And suddenly, Spiky was gone, sailing into the distance as a short red head in pigtails stood over him.

Harry struggled to his feet, Mako now mobile and helping him.

"Thanks." Harry grimaced through the pain. "I'm Potter Harry."

The girl didn't seem to hear him. She was locked onto his chest with her eyes, her nostrils flaring as she moved in.

"Hello?" Harry tried to get her attention.

"Your blood… it smells delicious." She said dreamily.

"Bugger." Harry said sullenly. He then snapped his fingers in her face surprising her out of her stupor. She glared at him.

"You could be a little more grateful. I did just save your life."

"You think you did. I wasn't going to die." Harry glared back.

"Really? Because that's a lot of blood you're missing." She gestured to the pool at his feet.

Harry stepped closer and spoke quietly. "Look, I'm grateful for the help, really. But you need to be more careful. Monster identities are secret and you are practically broadcasting yours."

"Pfft, as if I care." She said dismissively as a small bat landed on her shoulder.

"Don't make me put you in the dungeons." Harry practically pleaded.

"As if you could take me on."

"I can take on your sister. I know you've never beaten her." Harry smirked.

The girl was wide-eyed. "You know Moka?! Where is she? I've been looking for her."

"If I take you to her you have to promise not start any fights."

"What! That's the only reason I came to this school!"

"And my job is to make sure that there is peace on the campus. You can ask her to spar with you, but you can't force her and you can't attack her without permission."

"That's not fair! Wait… who are you? You're no teacher." She demanded suspiciously.

"I am the head of the School Protection Committee."

"And the President of the Newspaper Club."

"Thank you Mako."

"And the Class President."

"Thank you, Mako." Harry said with a glare at the eager to please thrall. "Anyway… I need to go and clean off my blood. Why don't you go and find Spiky and bring him to the SPC building. Moka might be there when you get back." He gestured to the large multi-story structure.

"I don't take orders from you!"

"Shuzen-san, I know a fair few witches. Don't make me have them ward the building to keep you out instead. Your sister lives there."

The red-head glared at him before stomping off.

"Come on Mako. I need to take some potions before I turn my chest back to flesh." Harry grimaced.

"Would you like me to prepare a bath?" She asked. "I would be happy to wash your back." She bowed.

Harry slumped slightly before hooking her hand in his elbow and leading her off. He honestly couldn't understand why the other male students considered him a god for having a harem.

Harry was certain that Ruby had put a monitoring charm on him. The second he stepped into the building she was on him and casting healing charms whilst ordering Mako to help him drink the potions.

He couldn't really complain. He was grateful, so he didn't put up a fuss when both Ruby and Mako joined him in the bath to clean up the blood.

When they finished Harry headed off for his afternoon classes. He was worried when none of the girls turned up. Miss Nekonome didn't say a word when he nodded to her and left as she started the class.

A quick check of the tracking charms showed they were all in the same direction, so he headed to the lake.

That's where he found a sobbing Hermione surrounded by Kurumu, Moka, Mizore, Yukari and Keito.

He noticed Hedwig and Lilith sitting in a tree.

"What is going on?" Harry demanded.

Hermione was off the bench and on her knees in front of Harry in a heartbeat. Her arms were wrapped around Harry's waist.

"I'm so sorry, Harry." She sobbed.

Harry was utterly confused. He patted her head whilst he looked expectantly at the girls.

"We showed her our memories of the last year." Keito explained. "She seemed to be under the delusion you were living a fantasy lifestyle."

"I'm sorry." Hermione had buried her face in his stomach.

"How much of your memories?" Harry was getting a bit angry.

"Everything outside the bedroom." Keito assured him. "We made her take an oath not to reveal your true nature."

"Ok… but what made her this upset?"

This question seemed to flip a switch on the English witch's mood as she stood up with an angry look and poked him on the chest.

"You died! You nearly died several times! You may have actually died more than once and we just don't know it!"

"We don't know that for sure!" Harry argued frantically.

Hermione turned sharply to the others. "Haven't you shown him your memories?"

"Sharing memories is not something done lightly." Moka said firmly. "Harry has always accepted our word on what happened."

Hermione shook her head. "No, it's not about trust. It's about acceptance. You heard him." She indicated the now indignant Harry. "He is in denial. He doesn't believe you lied, he is just hoping you were wrong."

"Hey! I'm right here!" Harry said irritably.

Hermione looked at her oldest friend sadly. She then took his hand and led him to the bench, the others watched curiously… and warily.

When they were seated she turned to him. "Harry, has anyone ever sat down with you and talked to you about what happened? About all the times you were attacked?"

"No." He shrugged. "Madam Pomphrey would give me instructions for the potions she gave me."

She shook her head. "No, Harry. I mean like counselling? Therapy?"

"I don't think so."

"Harry, since I left England, my parents have sacrificed their time with me by sending me to a psychiatrist. I can't give them details about magic, but I can talk about the torture and persecution."

"Sure, but I do talk to people. I talk to them." He indicated the girls. "Shizuka always checks on me when she finds out I've been attacked."

"And from their memories I know they've done everything they can." She nodded reassuringly, more for the girls than Harry. "But you need an outside opinion. They saw you die. I can tell you right now that they have clearly missed something.

"I saw it as an outsider and as someone who was with you for most of your troubles before you were exiled."

"What did you see?" Kurumu demanded as she stepped up.

Hermione grimaced as she had to lean back slightly to see past the girl's bountiful bosom. "When he was killed by Kuyou, there was a scream and a black mist."

Harry's eyes widened as he shot from the bench. "Voldemort!"

Hermione stayed seated and nodded. "You described something similar after you faced Quirrell."

"Where did the mist go?" Harry demanded.

"Relax, it dissipated." Hermione said soothingly. "I don't think it was actually Voldemort, but it might have been a residue, you did say the mist went through you back in first year."

Harry nodded shakily. "I need to see those memories."

"As do I."

They turned in surprise to see the Chairman standing there with the red-headed Shuzen Kokoa who was holding an unconscious Spiky by a handful of his spikes.

"Chairman-sama." Harry bowed, the others following suit.

"I have been thinking of sending the spirit of Voldemort to a friend to examine it further. But, after hearing that you may have carried a piece of him around, I think I shall need to investigate further myself." The Chairman said sternly.

"Is there a way you can check to see if I am… clean, Chairman-sama?" Harry asked as he bowed.

"I have friends and colleagues I can call in. But I would not concern yourself. Even before your temporary dirt nap, you seemed unaffected by it."

Hermione was grabbed by the arm by Moka who gave her a warning look. The Chairman seemed to find this amusing and Hermione was clearly outraged.

"Anyway, Kokoa-tan, here is your sister. I will take my misbehaving pet away for some discipline." He said as he snapped his fingers and began walking off, the porcupine monster slinking behind like a puppy that knows it was bad.

"So, Moka, Shuzen-san, we'll just leave you to talk." Harry plastered grin on his face.

"What? I don't want her… I want the real Moka." Kokoa sneered.

Harry sighed with a roll of his eyes. "I'm going back to class. I hope you will all apologise to Shizuka for missing her period." He then turned and strolled off into the dead forest as Hedwig and Lilith hopped out of their tree to follow him.

"I can't believe we missed a class!" Hermione was horrified.

"Nekonome-sensei will understand." Keito assured her. "Kagome-sensei… she will make me pay tonight." She shuddered before following Harry.

"Come on, let's get to class." Yukari ordered as she grabbed Moka by the arm and dragged her off. The others followed.

"Hey! What about me?" Kokoa demanded.

"Get to class or get detention!" Kurumu called back.

"Erm… class, we seem to have another new student today." Miss Nekonome wasn't sure what she was supposed to do. "Everyone, this Kagami Lilith."

Hovering next to her was the tiny spirit in a miniature version of the Yōkai Academy girl's uniform. Minus the shoes. She was carrying a tiny school satchel in front of her with both hands.

Miss Nekonome didn't want the sprite to feel excluded, but… there was no way the 'girl' looked human.

Plus, every time she floated by, Miss Nekonome had to fight the urge to chase after the glittery wings and play.

"Why don't you go and… find a place to sit?"

Lilith immediately zipped over to Harry where she dove into his bag.

Everyone, including Harry was looking at his bag with complete confusion.

"Lilith? You're supposed to use a desk and chair… or, at least something you can see the teacher with." Harry whispered.

"Just a moment, Master!" Came the tiny voice.

There was the sound of a small struggle before the purple-haired fae shot out of the bag with a squeak. Harry managed to catch her.

She looked like Crookshanks had been after her again. Something that had only happened once since Hermione couldn't have her cat in her dorm room so the half-kneazel was staying at the SPC building.

Miss Nekonome had had strong words the squash-faced feline.

Lilith's hair was a mess, her blazer was torn at the sleeve and her skirt had ridden up showing that she was commando.

Harry quickly placed her on his desk and then noticed the tiny chair she had been holding. "What was that doing in my bag?" He asked.

"Ruby-chan made it for me." She beamed, ignoring how Harry was trying to straighten her clothing. "I just need to get my desk."

She made to fly back to the bag.

"Let me handle this." Harry instructed. He carefully leaned over and searched for the desk. Finding it he placed it on the window sill next to his desk.

Lilith grabbed her chair and bag and hopped over to the desk, she put her bag on the floor and sat in the chair behind the desk. "Ready to learn, Master!" She declared.

Harry shared a look with Miss Nekonome and shrugged.

"Well, this year you will be starting self-study courses." The Nekomusume started her class. "Tomorrow we will meet at the bus stop in front of the school and I will give you instructions."

Harry wasn't sure he liked the sound of that.

Immediately after classes, Harry cornered Shizuka in her classroom.

"Is this going to be like the time you abandoned us in the sunflower fields?" He demanded.

"Only a little bit!" She half-whined half-meowed. "It's supposed to be fun."

"What are the chances of someone getting killed or seriously injured?"

"The same as every other day in this school." She shrugged.

"Shizuka, people don't come to this school for the danger. But whatever you have planned for tomorrow… that sounds like you taking us into a dangerous situation.

"Exactly what is the goal for tomorrow?"

"It's the Spring Fruit Hunt." She said as she licked her lips.

Harry raised an eyebrow. "Aaaannnd… ?"

"The goal is to catch a Monster Durian Fruit. They will pick any fruits they like and deal with any carnivorous plants as well."

"And what are the chances that every student will be able to do this without revealing their monster forms or relying on their monster abilities?"

"Not very good." She admitted.

The following day the class was surprised when they found Miss Nekonome accompanied by the white haired Moka.

"Our main goal at Yōkai Academy is to learn to live like humans do." Moka addressed them. "Today I will be teaching you a few basic moves that will aid you should you be attacked by a human, but will not require you to reveal yourself as a monster."

There were four broken arms by the end of the day from the three male students who thought they could get away with copping a feel.

Harry grimaced at the devastation that was once the pristine School Protection Committee building. Broken furniture, windows… even walls.

Panting heavily in the middle of the room was Inner Moka and her sister.

Kokoa was holding a massive hammer that was taller than her. It also seemed to have the face of the bat that followed her around.

"Do you know how much work you are making?" He demanded. He had thought Inner Moka would just be having a sisterly catch-up when she asked him to remove her rosary. He wasn't expecting to come back to this.

"Stay out of this, twerp."

Harry glared at the red-head. "This is my home. You have nearly destroyed it. Do you want me to write to your father and tell him you are acting so disrespectfully?"

"Like he'd listen to you." She sneered.

"He might." Moka sighed as she relaxed her stance. "This was fun, Kokoa, but we should have fought elsewhere."

"You're damned right you should have!"

Coming in from the back of the building were the rest of the girls led by an angry Kurumu. "You could have killed us!"

"You were quick to leave, so I knew you weren't in any danger." Moka shrugged.

"Not the point! This is our home too!"

"We have already agreed that we should have fought elsewhere." Moka effectively ended the argument by putting her rosary on. Harry stepped forward and caught the pink-haired version before she fell.

She was soon standing fully on her own power. "I'm really sorry, guys." She said sincerely. She then turned to Kokoa. "You can't keep attacking me everywhere!"

"Don't tell me what to do." The Kokoa sneered angrily. "You aren't the real Moka."

Moka was clearly hurt but pressed on. "Don't you understand? One day you might anger someone a lot stronger than you. Stronger than Inner Moka."

"I'm a vampire. There isn't anyone stronger." She scoffed.

"Would you like to tell that to the Chairman?" Keito smirked.

Kokoa waved a dismissive hand before stomping off.

The following day the school was on lock down.

Several students had been attacked with a knife.

Harry had been summoned to the Chairman's Office and ordered to find and kill whoever was attacking his school.

He had assembled everyone, including Chopper at a conference room in the SPC building.

"We need to find where these people are hiding, establish what they are… and then kill them."

That raised a few eyebrows. Everyone knew Harry detested killing.

"Chairman's orders." Harry explained at their looks. "So, where could they be?"

"The art building, school council building." Yukari listed off. "Plus there are all sorts of storage buildings for things like sports."

"Have all the students been accounted for?" Shizuka asked.

"The Chairman has informed me that he has accounted for every student." Harry promised.

"They could also be hiding in the school. There are many areas that see low traffic." Keito offered. "The basements for example."

"What about that?" They all looked to where Kokoa was pointing on a map of the school on the wall. She had been by looking for another fight.

"That is the former dungeon." Harry answered. "It has been deserted for some time."

"That's where they are." Kokoa said with certainty. "Don't worry, Big Sis and I can handle this." She turned to Moka and grabbed the rosary, violently jerking the pink-haired vampire.

"Pack it in, Brat." Kurumu growled as she dragged the younger vampire off the older. "Only Harry can remove the rosary."

"That's not fair!" Kokoa grumbled.

"Keito, take your team search the main school building from top to bottom. Call for backup if you find the attacker.

"Chopper, take Gin and scour the boys' dormitory. Shizuka, Ririko, handle the girls.

"Lilith, you and Hedwig stay here with Yukari. When the call comes in you three get the other teams.

"The rest of you are coming with me to the dungeons."

"Even me?"

"Oh… sorry Hermione. I forgot you were here." Harry apologised. "You can stay here and help Yukari. She's in charge."

Hermione just nodded. She knew she had no place out there, not when there would be death sought on both sides.

"I don't see what the big deal is. Just let the real Moka out and we'll handle this."

Kokoa had been grumbling non-stop since they reached the dungeons. She wasn't even asked to come. She had just tagged along.

"Can't you just shut her up, Ruby?" Mizore griped irritably.

"I'm considering it." The normally timid witch growled.

Harry stopped and turned to Kokoa. "We are trying to be stealthy. We need to find this person and stop them. If they hear us-"

"Too late." Came a dark voice.

And Harry went flying.

Moka was hot on his tail as the others took up a defensive formation.

"A minotaur?" Ruby frowned. "Take him alive, girls." She ordered.

"What? But Harry-"

"There is no way this is the phantom attacker. The attacker used a knife. A minotaur wouldn't use such a small and simple weapon. Just look at the massive blade on his back."

The minotaur had a massive machete type blade strapped to the back of his thick leather jeans. He was unclothed save for the jeans and work boots.

"Pretty smart for witch." The eight-foot tall, dark furred, horned monster smirked. "Should have stayed with the rest of the kiddies, then you'd be a damned genius."

Massive hands of ice sprung from the floor, grabbing the jean-clad legs. The minotaur's eyes zeroed in on Mizore who was concentrating hard and steaming as her ice cold skin met the warmer air around her.

"Let me go or I'll rip you apart piece-by-piece."

"You don't want to do that, that would make me really sad." Kurumu began walking forward seductively as she slid her hand down her sweater between her breasts, causing the material to separate like she had done when she had first tried to seduce Harry.

The minotaur looked torn between dazed and aghast. How could he have even thought of upsetting this goddess.

"Forgive me!" He looked like he was about to cry.

"You can make it up to me." Kurumu pouted. "Tell me about your friends. Who and what are they? I was having such a lovely day before they came here."

"Please, release me and I will kill them and present their heads for you." The creature pleaded.

"Tell me what I want to know, you don't want to deny me the pleasure of correcting them myself, would you?"

"There are three of us. We robbed a bank and killed the humans. We came here to hide until the heat was off.

"One of us is a Ground Spider and our leader is a mimic. They might be watching already, we had a pair of shimigami called Denko. They can project what each other sees."

"Do they have any weaknesses?" Kurumu fluttered her eyelashes.

"The mimic… he has a bad reaction to girls. Makes him freeze."

"You've been such a good boy." Kurumu cooed as she released him from her thrall.

The minotaur seemed to realise where he was. "You little bitch!"

And then his head came off.

Kurumu turned around to see Harry finally back on his feet and seemingly none the worse for wear, his hand raised from the spell he had cast.

Then she looked down.

"Let me serve you, mistress."

She held out a hand to Ruby without breaking eye contact with the pleading werewolf.

She felt a spray bottle and used it liberally on the enraptured and blood covered monster.

Gin spluttered as he shook his hair and face.

"That was pitiful."

Gin couldn't have looked more put down from the disgusted observation from the fourteen-year-old vampire. "It's not my fault." He grumbled. "Kurumu is more powerful since she bound herself to Harry."

The succubus sauntered over to Harry, her open clothing letting a lot of her breasts show as she wrapped her arms around his neck. "I'm going to have a lot of… 'tension' to work off after this." She whispered into the blushing teen's ear.

"We all will, Kurumu." Keito said pointedly. "Which is why we share and work together.

"Now, we got your message." She indicated the newly arrived other teams. "Do we have a plan?"

"Ruby, some privacy please." Harry tried to ignore the busty goddess in his arms. And the glaring vampire holding him. "Does anyone have any suggestions? We are dealing with a mimic and a Ground Spider. Does anyone have information on them?"

"Ground Spiders are vermin." Keito sneered. "They are comparable in strength and abilities to my kind, but they lack the finesse and intelligence.

"But they are not dumb."

"A mimic could be trouble, Potter-san." Deshiko spoke up. "It could easily assume the identity and powers of Akashiya-san, Rikishi-san or any of the more powerful of us."

"How close does it have to be?" Moka asked.

"I believe they require touch, but I do not know for certain."

"Ruby, Keito, Mizore and myself." Harry sighed.

"Couldn't Kurumu seduce them again?" Keito asked.

"Not if they are prepared for it." Harry shook his head. "It might work, but what if the one with the girl issue is gay?"

The foursome headed onwards whilst the others left the building to guard the entrances.

Keito, after taking inspiration from Kurumu, and based on the information garnered from the minotaur, had undone her black top, exposing her smooth and feminine skin.

She sauntered sexily down the dark, damp, brick hallways as though she owned the place.

"You are a real sexy piece." Came an oily voice.

They looked up to see a giant black spider with an almost human head looking down at them.

"What say you and the other girls come play with me. The brat can entertain my pal."

The creature 'eeped' as massive ice spikes shot out of the ground and the ceiling, careful not to touch him, but each with a point that was deadly and touching its body.

It moved, it bled.

"Can we talk about this?" It begged.

Harry reluctantly used his own elemental powers to discreetly create an ice spike of his own that shot out and penetrated the back of the creature's head.

Unlike Mizore's ice spikes, his were natural and held no magic. But they could still be deadly.

"Let's move on." Keito suggested as the black ichor dripped to the ground. She could see Harry hated this. She had never killed herself, but she didn't feel the regret her lover did.

They headed further inward, they didn't have to go far until they reached a large area with holding cells. Lying on the floor, unmoving and bound with ropes was a long haired male.

"It's safe now." Harry called out with a small smile.

There was a rustle of fabric and Hermione and Yukari appeared with Lilith on Yukari's shoulder.

"It is so hot in there, Master!" Lilith complained as she took to the air to try and cool down. "Hermione-chan wouldn't let me take off my clothes." She pouted as she landed on Mizore, the coolest of the group. Temperature wise.

"You did great." Harry assured them as he accepted his invisibility cloak back from Yukari. "Ruby, could you take Hermione and Yukari and deliver that suitcase of money to the Chairman's office?"

"Of course, Harry-chan." She nodded as she stepped forward to close the case full of blood covered money.

"Send the others in, if you pass them?"

Hermione looked like she wanted to object but was stopped by Yukari grabbing her hand and dragging her off.

"Master, can I go too? I don't like it in here."

"Sure Lilith. Why don't you go find Hedwig and spread your wings for a bit?"

"Yay!" The spirit jumped off Mizore's shoulder and shot back the way they had come.

"You still don't trust Granger-san?" Keito asked curiously when the others were gone.

"I don't trust her to understand or accept the true nature of this world." Harry said sadly. "To be honest… I hope I never can trust her to.

"She has an innocence that could surpass even Outer Moka's."

"You don't want to lose what you loved in her as a friend." Kurumu put his feelings to words.

"Probably." Harry gave her a sad smile. He didn't really understand all his feelings. Considering his examples for the first ten years of his life, it was understandable.

"Harry… he's not dead?" Gin asked as the rest of the group arrived.

"I want to know if you have any suggestions for safely interrogating a mimic. I want to make sure there aren't any surprises waiting for us.

"I also want to know his history and preferably a confession of his crimes."

"I could turn him into a thrall." Ririko suggested. "But he would need to be awake. If he can become a lamia, he will be immune to my attempts."

"We will consider that one of the last ditch efforts." Harry nodded. "If he does manage it, we will just have to kill him."

"We could use mind control magic or potions." Mizore offered.

Harry was the strongest of the three magicals at mind magics. They had no intention of testing Hermione.

"We could torture the information out of him." Chopper grinned eagerly.

"Probably not a good idea." Harry grimaced. "We don't want to touch him and we don't know what he last copied. He could be immune to pain or have ranged attacks."

"Kurumu could use her 'charms'." Mizore said with clear taunting at the succubus.

"I could, but Harry-chan will have to give me special attention tonight." Kurumu smirked back.

"You used that excuse earlier." Keito countered with her own smirk.

"And it will be even more true now." Kurumu returned.

"Keito, stick him to a wall. Mizore, top them off." Harry instructed. "Gin, take everyone else and scour the dungeons. We'll meet back at the SPC building this evening."

The rest turned and left, except Moka and Kurumu who stayed with the others.

Kurumu had dragged Moka from her bed at around midnight. She had worked off her sexual needs and now it was time to tend to Harry.

Moka was a little miffed, but she understood that Kurumu was actually being very caring. The succubus had also dragged Yukari along.

This was the first time the young witch had shared a bed with anyone but her parents and Ruby. She knew Harry would never touch her until she was older, but she intended to enjoy every second she was allowed to sleep, curled snugly into Harry's side.

Mizore had decided to sleep on Harry. Harry didn't realise why until the morning when he woke up with a common condition.

She just winked at him and gave a pointed look at the pre-pubescent witch sleeping peacefully.

He extricated himself from the bed and took the time to pamper the yuki-onna in the bath. It was rare that Mizore got to share an ice bath with Harry.