Saturday morning saw Harry in the dojo early, trying to teach Neville fan work. He was picking it up with surprising ease. Surprising, to anyone who knew Neville.

Neville, Harry had found, had no self confidence, but was gaining it by leaps and bounds. His Uncle had spent every waking hour telling him how useless he was. Now that Uncle Algie was gone, Neville was finding that he knew a lot more about management than anyone expected. He was sensible, down to earth and intelligent. He just needed a bit of a nudge in the right direction. Harry was more likely to get behind him and shove. It was working wonders.

So Harry was happily shouting, "No! Neville-kun, you have to think on your feet. Do you really think that a Death Eater is going to stand still while you decide how to kill him?"

Neville stopped what he was doing and yelled back, "No, I don't. but I don't know what spell they're going to throw first, do I? How do you manage that?"

Harry sighed. "Come sit down." Neville came to kneel beside Harry. "You're right. But most of the sort ... like Death Eaters ... they have standard attacks. Spells that they just use out of habit and training. I'm trying to teach you to do the unexpected. Even cast a tickling hex right out of the box. If you keep your opponent off balance you have a much better chance of winning. I want you to be a winner. See?"

Neville rubbed sweat off his face with a towel from a pile by the seats. "I see. You're right. But ... I bet we could find out which spells are most used by the idiots. I know they're real fond of Cruciatus. And there's a cutting hex that they use a lot. I don't know the name of it. Bet we could find out."

Harry smirked a bit. "See? I keep telling you, you know more than you think. I'll ask Snape-kyooju, he'll know."

Neville looked horrified. "You ... oh, man, he'll murder you."

"No, he won't. I'm more likely to kill him." Harry pushed water on Neville and took a glass for himself. "Drink. We'll end for today. You're doing very well." He pulled a black fan from mallet space. "Here. Keep it on you and practice with it every time you get a chance." Neville nodded a bit doubtfully. "And if anyone gives you grief, poke them with it."

"Ok. Thanks. But ..." Neville grinned. "I really want to see what Hermione pulls on Lockhart. I bet she and the twins pull a doozy."

Harry snickered. "Me too. That girl doesn't understand true evil, but she can be downright nasty when she wants to be."

"True, true. And she's relentless." He finished his water. "I wonder what she's found out about our, as she calls it, petrification pest."

"Well, let's go find out." Harry stood up. "And breakfast. Then check on the test thing. And see what's happened to Lockhart. And Malfoy." Neville snorted water out his nose. "Oh, I don't like the little maggot, but still ... And I do owe him a gift. Giri can be a bitch."

Neville nodded. "Send him a pineapple and see what he sends back."

Harry gazed at Neville for a moment then asked, "A Pineapple?"

"It's a symbol of graciousness and friendship."

Harry thought carefully. "I don't think that's the impression I want to give. Perhaps a knife, or a pair of scissors? That's more the idea."

"Humm. Might do." Neville wasn't aware that giving a gift of a sharp object, like scissors or a knife, meant that the giver wished to sever a relationship.

Harry grinned slightly. "Perhaps the gift of four red sheathed knives?"

A voice from the door asked, "And who, exactly, do you hate that much?"

"Malfoy. I don't think a pineapple is the appropriate gift." Harry turned to wink at Hermione.

"No, definitely not a pineapple. But four, red and knives? You really, really don't like him, do you?" Hermione settled into an easy-back.

She was dressed casually in old, soft jeans, a used-to-be-black jumper and fuzzy socks. Her old trainers were left by the door.

"No, I don't. I've still got some reports to read about suspected Shi Ito. Um ... Death Eaters. Malfoy had the nerve to claim to be .. Imperioused? That what you call it?" Neville nodded. "Liar! No one can stay sane under that much imperious. He'd be mad as a flea. And his idiot son isn't much better. So ..." he batted his eyes at Hermione. "Would you like to deliver my giri for me?"

Hermione snorted. "No, I would not. Get one of the firsties to do it. That's another insult. Not only don't you do it but you get the youngest of the House to."

Harry snorted. "I see. Very good. I'll get one of the Dansei to pick up some cheap knives. Ok ... did your spell work? And don't look at me like that. I know you checked on it first thing."

Hermione didn't bother to try to deny it. "I did. And it worked a treat. But the books are so thick! We'll be forever working on them." She sighed. "I did make copies for each of us. And I already got Professor Flitwick to do the translation spell on one for you." She smiled happily. "I caught him in the corridor on the way here. It's in my bag by the door. And, I got him to redo the feather light charm. But he did say I needed to clean it out."

Harry laughed at this run on. "Yes, you do. so ... We'll drop it off in the juku before breakfast, then come back after to clean it out. No arguments."

It was at breakfast that they realized something. Wizards and logic do not mix. Neville proved to be an exception, rather than a rule.

Hermione had pulled a book out of her pocket to read and Ron had snorted at the title.

"The Critique of Practical Reason by Kant and Abbot? What the hell is that?"

Hermione tried to explain and got such a blank look that she exclaimed, "Logic? You know, that thing that proves a theory?" This brought about an argument that finally involved the twins, the Creavy brothers and several Ravenclaws.

The Ravenclaws understood the theory and practice of logic and reasoning, but added the caveat that it didn't apply to magic, theoretical or practical. This led Hermione to shove her book into her pocket and declare that they were all annoying and idiotic. She then flounced off in a huff, leaving the Ravenclaws shaking their heads and the rest of the group just puzzled. Except for Harry, Neville and the Creavy's.

Neville just said sadly, "I was afraid of that."

The Creavy brothers just shrugged and went back to breakfast, while Ron looked around, exclaimed, "What!" in an irritated manner then proclaimed Hermione 'mental'.

Harry eyed Neville then announced, "And Ethics goes the way of the dodo."

Neville nodded. "Right. If you can, there's no reason you shouldn't. Let's go find her before she hurts someone."

.

Hermione had fled outside. It was cold but not too much so. They found her in their hollow by the lake.

Harry settled beside her. "Don't take it so hard. They're all baka. I'll discus logic with you, so will Neville. Perhaps we could pick up a few other's. Weasley ..." Harry waived his hand. "he's not worth it."

Hermione sighed, pushing her hair out of her face. "The whole of the Wizarding World is like that. I worry."

Harry nodded. "Don't. It's not your place, at seventeen, to worry about that sort of thing. The Wizards of England are well known for being ... odd and backward. The whole world knows this. Now. What shall we do that is entertaining?"

Neville settled beside Hermione on the other side. "I got tea." He offered the mugs around. "And a bit of this and that." He presented a platter of sausages, eggs, toast, fried potatoes and grilled tomatoes. "Sorry, Yusuke, it's all I could manage."

Harry took the mug and shrugged. "English won't hurt me, once in a while." He watched as Neville served up, handing plates to, first Hermione then him, finally taking one for himself. "There. I went easy on the sausages for you, Yusuke. If you want more just say. There's still plenty, and the platter is charmed."

They settled back to eat, warming charms keeping both the food and them warm.

Harry munched happily, watching the surface of the lake. "What's in the lake?"

"Beside the squid, not much. He eats most everything except the merpeople. And they eat the rest. There's not even any decent fishing." Neville scowled for a second, then brightened, "But, if you like fishing, there's Longbottom Cottage in the lowlands. That's got good fishing."

Harry reached out for more toast. "That's nice. I was never much for fishing, though. I do like flying. My oar is one of the fastest there is."

Hermione grumbled. "Boys! You're all obsessed. Speed. Idiots."

Harry smiled. "And you don't like flying."

"I think I would, if the damn broom felt a bit more stable. I have ridden horses and liked that."

Neville thought about that as he munched on his breakfast. He swallowed then announced, "I bet you'd like flying on a family type broom. You just don't like sports brooms."

Harry agreed exclaiming, "Like the difference between a sports car and a family car. They don't handle anywhere near the same."

Hermione looked intrigued so Harry resolved to find her a nice family broom. Or have a Dansei do it for him.

He was brought back to the present by Neville.

"Here. We're comfy and warm here, empty that bottomless pit out."

They all laughed at Neville's inadvertent joke. Hermione just up ended her bag and ordered, "Empty!". Everything in the bag fell out on the ground.

Even Harry had to eye the huge pile with some dismay.

Hermione just sighed, "Oh, dear." and started sorting.

In the end, she had a pile of books, another of parchment, spiral notebooks and composition books and a third of trash. She also had a pen box full of quills and ink bottles and a pencil box with biros, roller balls and highlighters. All the piles were huge.

"Well, Hermione-chan, that's quite a mess. I suggest that you get rid of all the parchment, keep it in your desk." He glanced at Hermione. "If you have trouble with your desk, I'll be glad to curse it for you. So, and most of the books, except what you really need for a class. Empty both boxes and put back just what you need for a class."

He was about to go on when Hermione interrupted, "I do know how to go on, you know. But I would really appreciate the help with my desk. The reason I carry most of my stuff is that my roommates have sticky fingers."

Neville put in, "I don't know about sticky fingers, but couldn't you just keep all your study things in the juku? I mean, you can't really study in your room, what with Lav giggling like a loon, and Parvati ... the two of them have to be driving you mental. Seriously."

Harry gestured in empty air and produced a cigaret, he lit it with another gesture and dragged in a lungful of smoke. When he spoke, he resembled a dragon as puffs of smoke emerged with his words. "Sticky fingers is a polite way of saying that other people's belongings seem to find their way into the person's possession. I think you should confine your study's to the juku from now on. You have a good desk there, and you are welcome to take possession of one of the tables permanently. Yes, Neville-kun?"

Neville just nodded and offered the last of the tea around. "And on that note ... anything about the petrifications?"

Hermione accepted more tea which Neville poured from a thermos he'd set on the ground beside his feet. "Thank you. Well ... there's only a few things that petrify. A gorgon for one but ... there's no way a gorgon could be in Hogwarts without getting caught, and why would one come here anyway. There's a couple of others ..."

Harry held up a hand. "Pray, spare us the rundown of what is not here and why. Just tell us if you know what it is."

Hermione sighed. "All that research and no one wants to hear about it." She sighed heavily, "Just heartbreaking." Harry was just about to apologize, and Neville was looking terribly guilty until she grinned at them and said, "Well ... enough of that. No, I haven't figured out anything. I did think it might be a basilisk but they don't petrify, they kill. One look into its eyes and you're dead. So I can't think what it might be and I'm out of resources." She sighed again and sipped at her tea. "And don't bother to offer to buy more books, much as I appreciate it. If I can't find it in the books I have, more books aren't going to help."

Neville grumbled, "Well, that tears it. So, we stay together. We never go anywhere alone and so on. Sucks."

Harry nodded. "I know. But, we need to be cautious. The professors are obviously not competent to handle it. Why no one is calling in some sort of expert is my next question."

Neville shrugged but Hermione just snarled, "Pride. They're so sure they can handle it that they're not even thinking about anything, or anyone, beyond that."

Hermione finally finished packing her things, and put the bag at her feet. "I'll take that up soon and put all the things away. I didn't realize I had so much junk in there."

Neville laughed, then offered, "I'll take the library books you're done with back, shall I?"

"Oh, please. Thank you." Hermione relaxed against the wall behind her. "This is still a nice place to sit. Out of the wind, and that warming charm really makes it comfortable."

They all jumped when a sharp 'A-ha!' sounded from the lake's edge. Professor Snape stormed up to them, then paused as he realized who was actually in their little refuge.

Harry drew on his current cigaret and then drawled, "A-ha, what? And what is it that your dirty mind thinks three friends might be doing in a hollow beside a lake in early October? Do drag your mind out of the gutter."

Snape opened his mouth, closed it then opened it to snarl, "You might be surprised what some students get up to."

Harry considered this, while Neville flushed heavily and Hermione just watched. "Humm. I do apologize. There is no telling what perverts will get up to. But then, knowing your house, you do have more experience than I."

Snape started to defend his house's honor, then realized that Miyamoto Yusuke wouldn't care, one way or the other. Instead he managed to say, with commendable mildness, "I do. But it's not just Slytherins, you wouldn't believe what Ravenclaws get up to. Or would you? Humm?"

The mild hum made Yusuke grin. "Oh, I would. My family doesn't deal in Baishunpu, but ... boys will be boys, right?"

Snape blinked for a second, then made a correct leap of logic. "Oh, and what does your family deal in?"

"Gambling and protection mostly. A bit of smuggling from time to time and Chichi-ue has the ear of the Emperor. Not that he ever pulls it, but still..." He pinned the professor with a look that made the man's knees weak. "it is useful to have others know this. Now, if you're done." he tossed his butt aside and stood. "Would you like to duel? For real, no tricks. Other than the dirty sort I fight with."

Snape thought about that for a moment. "I would, I do believe. Mr. Longbottom can officiate. And Miss Granger can be your cheerleader."

Yusuke just shook his head. "And why would a dignified young lady wish to do something like that." His puzzled look made it plain that cheerleader meant something entirely different to him than it did to his friends.

Snape decided that he'd baited Yusuke as far as he dared so he led the way to a meadow nearby. "This is a good place. It's open but in a slight depression. Any stray spells will hit the surrounding hillsides. Good enough?"

Yusuke looked around. "Yes. Very nice. so. Dueling rules or street dirty."

Snape sneered at his opponent and student. "Do you really think Death Eaters are going to insist on the niceties?"

Yusuke shook his head. "I don't." And with that he cast a spell at Snape.

Snape, not a bit surprised by this, tossed a spell back. Then the battle was on.

The two danced back and forth across the sward, casting spells, jinxes and hexes with abandon. Snape never really meant for it to get out of hand but, in the heat of the moment, he cast a cutting hex that caught Yusuke across the shoulder. It cut through robe, liner and shirt; into the muscle. It wasn't deep, but it did bleed.

What happened next was something no English wizard or witch had ever seen.

Yusuke dipped his finger tips in the blood then flicked them so that droplets flew toward Snape. He yelled, "Hijinkessou!" and the blood turned into red dart shaped blades, Snape dropped to dodge them but they pinned Snape's sleeve to the ground. He rolled over, pulling his arm out of the sleeve and jumping to his feet. He looked much different now. His shoulders were much broader than one would suspect but he was slim in the hip with strong thighs. Hermione's soft 'Ooooo!' was ignored.

"Very good, Snape-san. But not good enough." Yusuke tossed ofuda at Snape. They turned into birds in the air and swarmed Snape, flying around his head, fluttering in his face and generally making a nuisance of themselves.

Snape swore and cast Finite Incantatem at them. They stilled and disappeared. But it was too late, Yusuke cast, 'Shibaru!'. Silken ropes sprang from nowhere to wrap around Snape, binding his arms and legs firmly.

Snape struggled for a moment then stilled. "I yield me."

At the formal declaration of surrender, Yusuke waved a hand. The ropes untangled themselves and disappeared. Snape stood up, bowed and said, "Well, that was ... interesting. What would you have done if I'd managed to take your wand?"

Yusuke waved a hand, produced a lit cigaret from thin air and replied, through a cloud of smoke, "If you want, I'll show you." he was beginning to feel that these people needed a bit of a demonstration. The observers carefully hiding themselves around the rim of the hollow would write home and word would get around. Word that there was a heavy hitter in the country. It might help, but it certainly wouldn't hurt.

"Pray do." Snape picked up his robe and tugged it back on. He didn't bother to examine the holes in the sleeve, he just flicked his wand and intoned, "Reparo." the holes mended themselves easily.

Yusuke reached up and produced a sword from his mallet space and smiled in an entirely dangerous way.

He ran through a quick kata then knelt. Hermione whispered to Neville, "Iaido, the art of drawing and cutting from a seated or kneeling position. Very difficult."

Yusuke turned his head to look directly at her. "And deadly. There is no defense. Also, I have another little trick I think you'll appreciate."

With that, he suddenly drew the sword, slashed upwards and shouted, "Kazi no Kizu!" The resultant gust of wind cut a gash in the grass six feet long. The sword was back in its sheath before Yusuke settled back on his heels, smirking at a pale Snape. "Yes."

Snape realized again that he was totally out of his depth. This brat was more dangerous than anyone realized and seemed willing to do whatever he needed to do to accomplish what he desired. In this case, keeping a certain potions professor from getting above himself.

"I see. I will leave you now. Thank you for the duel." Snape bowed carefully, keeping his eyes on Yusuke. "See to that shoulder."

Yusuke bowed back, making eye contact. "Yes. Thank you as well. Perhaps again at a later date?"

"As you wish." Snape turned in a billow of robes and stalked off, back stiff.

Neville watched Snape leave, then shook his head. "I swear, that man just won't learn. And he calls us dunderheads. Yusuke, can I learn that Kazi thing?"

Hermione yelped, "Kazi no Kizu and Hijinkessou? You are so evil. What else can you do?"

Yusuke smoked for a bit as he thought. "Well, several cuts from Ruroni Kenshin, like Hiten mitsurigi Ryuu. Some stuff from Naruto. Just things I've picked up here and there." He watched as Hermione turned a faint shade of green. "Daijobu?"

Hermione shook herself out of her daze. "Ok. Please tell me you can do that shotgun thing from YuYu Hakusho. It would be dead useful."

"I can. But that one is really draining." He started to pull another cigarette out of his case in mallet space, but it pulled his shoulder. "Damn."

Hermione gasped. "Oh, I forgot your shoulder. You're still bleeding. We should get you to Madam Pomfrey."

Neville surprised her, but not Yusuke, by pulling a small box out of his robes. "Sit down. I'll fix that in a jiff."

Harry stripped off his upper garments without comment. Hermione gulped when she saw his tattoos, never mind that he was built, but didn't say anything. Neville gave her an approving nod then went to work.

The cut was fairly long but shallow, starting at the point of Yusuke's shoulder and running across the top for about two inches. Neville sprinkled some powder on it then dribbled some green liquid over that. Yusuke sucked in a breath. "Sorry. I know it stings, but it's the only thing that won't spoil your tattoos."

"Fine. I really don't want to sit through a repair. Or the scolding I'll get for it." Yusuke turned his head to watch as Neville wiped the blood from his shoulder and arm with a cloth he dampened with his wand.

Neville finished his work with a wave of his wand. "No other injuries?"

"No." Yusuke stood up. "Thank you."

He started to say something else, but Hermione interrupted him. "I know. When is lunch?"

Yusuke laughed. "No, I already know when lunch is. I was going to say that I need to go get clean clothing. And ... I think I want a shower. Come on."

Neville pelted Yusuke with questions as they walked back to Hogwarts. Hermione added a few of her own from time to time. Both of them were actually a bit surprised that Yusuke answered as patiently as he did.

Finally, at the foot of the stairs to the boys dorm, he called a halt. "Hermione-chan, you cannot follow me up to the dorm." He grinned at her. "It's a naked place. Neville, I'd appreciate some privacy. If you don't mind."

Neville laughed. "I don't mind. I'll just run up and get a book to read. I still have some reading for Defense to do." Seeing the look on his face, he snorted. "Not anything by Lockhart, I assure you."

.

An hour later, Harry came back down the stairs, dressed in all black; from boots to silk t-shirt, with an over robe of dark green velvet draped around his shoulders.

Neville looked up from his book and smiled. "Well, don't you look fine. What's the occasion?"

Harry glanced Neville over. "Making an Impression. Would you mind changing into something a bit more ... dressy?"

"Not at all. Business dress?" Harry nodded, as that was what he was wearing. "Ok. I have some nice robes in a snuff brown that suit me very well. I'll be back in a few." Neville hurried up the stairs, flicking his wand in a freshening charm. He didn't really need a shower as he hadn't been active all morning.

While he was changing, Hermione came down then obediently went back up at Harry's request that she also change robes. She knew exactly what he was up to. Face was very important, and purebloods understood. He was rubbing the faces of purebloods in the fact that his group was important to him. Not like Voldemort, who took advantage of them at every turn.

Hermione sighed as she examined her semi-formal robes. They weren't really appropriate, they were too formal. She sat down on her bed to try not to cry.

"Hey, Granger! You look like ... you are!" Lavender got a good look at Hermione's face and yelled, "Patil, get in here. Now."

Parvati popped her head out of the loo, dripping shampoo. "What? I'm washing my hair."

"No, you're not. Go rinse. Now! Hermione's having a meltdown." Lavender patted Hermione on the shoulder. She sighed and flopped down on Hermione's bed. "I know we're not the best roomies, but ... well, we really do care. A bit. So ... what's got your knickers in a twist?"

Hermione gave in with little more than a whimper. "Yusuke wants me to dress ... I'm not sure exactly how to describe it. Go sneak a peek at him and see."

Lavender peeked down the stairs then returned to say, "Business formal. The sort of thing you'd wear to a fancy business lunch. Not that hard to do." she thought for a moment. "But you don't have a thing. All you've got is school robes and that formal. So ... Parv, we've got some work to do. And that hair!"

Parvati came out of the loo with a towel around her head, and demanded, "What's so bloody important that you've got to drag me away from washing my hair."

Lavender explained in short sentences. Lavender just groaned. "Well, we can't do much with that hair in a short time but ... a fancy do isn't what's needed anyway. A french braid is more like it."

The two girls bustled around Hermione, messing with her hair and face until she wanted to scream. But, she was well aware that they really did know their stuff. They truly weren't bad girls, just unthinking and careless. They borrowed each others things all the time and couldn't understand that Hermione needed them to ask first. All their arguments were about the same things; borrowing things without asking, misplacing papers and homework, and a total lack of ability to keep their mess contained.

Now, however, they seemed to be totally different. They knew where everything they needed was, and had her dressed, hair fixed and makeup done in less than twenty minutes.

Lavender surveyed their handiwork, and nodded her satisfaction. "There you go. You look so nice. I just wish ... well, never mind."

Hermione remembered something Yusuke had said to her. 'Always thank people, even if you're not grateful.' so she asked, "Wish what? I'd really like to know."

"I just wish you let us fix you up. Just a little. You always look so ... frazzled. We get grief about it all the time." Lavender braced herself for another of Hermione's lectures on the seriousness of life and - she couldn't remember the rest of it.

"Oh, well. I don't like a lot of makeup. I feel like ... it's just too much. I like what you've done."

The dark blue pants, ice blue blouse and dark blue over robe struck just the right note. Her makeup was noticeable, but not obvious, and her hair was under control, braided into a nice French bun with a fluffy fringe and some tendrils dangling by her face to soften the look more. She turned away from the full length mirror she'd been examining herself in. "It's nice. Discrete and elegant. And it didn't take forever."

Parvati just nodded. "See, Lav, I told you. She's just not into a lot. A little that does a lot is more her way." She turned to Hermione. "We could ... have a girls day. You could ... well, we could fix you up and fiddle until you like it and it works in your daily routine. We've been trying to get you to let us for ages. Maybe we just didn't go about it right?"

Hermione nodded. "Or perhaps ... I just didn't listen right? Never mind now. Yusuke will be wondering if I got lost. We'll talk later. Ok?"

"Sure. You better hurry. You know boys hate to wait." Lavender made shooing motions while Parvati just laughed.

Hermione made it down the stairs just as Neville rejoined their small group too.

Yusuke rose to his feet and bowed to Hermione. "Very nice. That dark blue suites you. And the lighter blouse keeps it from looking ... hard."

Neville just nodded his head, gulping. Hermione never looked this put together.

Hermione eyed her slippers with a sour expression. They were the only thing that didn't suit her, and they were her shoes. The toes were scuffed and the heels down trodden. She brightened when she realized that, due to the fact that her business formal robes missed touching the ground by only an inch, no one would notice.

Yusuke noticed, waved his hand, and smiled as the shoes now looked new. "There. Stop scowling, your face will stick that way. Now, we go down to eat. Neville on my left, Hermione on my right and one step behind."

Neville thought Hermione would throw a fit about the one step behind, but she smiled in a rather nasty way and said, "So, I'm your Ningen no tate."

Harry raised an eyebrow, impressed that she would know the Japanese. "No, Neville is. You're my arm candy."

"But ... a step behind?" Hermione waited for it.

"Because that's what is expected in pureblood circles." Hermione gave him a look. "What? I can't get a book? One of the Itouko sent it. Proper manners are important. Even if you think they are silly."

Hermione thought about it. "I don't understand."

Neville tried to explain, "Think of it as a game. Yes, it's dumb; but, if you don't know how to play the game, no one will respect you."

Harry nodded. "It's like giri. There's all sorts of rules about it. They seem stupid to many people, but there's a reason behind it all. Mostly, it's a way to one-up each other without bloodshed. Like chess is a war without soldiers."

Hermione gave him a blank look. "Ok?"

Neville shrugged, looked at Harry behind Hermione's back and mouthed, "She won't get it."

Harry, inclined to agree, just shrugged.

Their entry into the dining hall was a bit of a shock to many. Harry entered first with Neville on his left and a half step behind him. This put him on the Slytherin side of Harry. Hermione on his other side looked so nice that she actually attracted more attention than Harry did.

Harry led them to the Gryffindor table and sat down at the head of it. This was something that was usually not done as, technically, the head of the table belonged to the Head of the House. No one said anything, however, so they were left in peace.

Harry picked up a bowl of rice and handed it to Hermione. She took the bowl and placed it before her. Then Harry gave another bowl of rice to Neville. "Please, eat." He picked up his chop sticks and started on his own rice. No one really realized what this was all about, but it was symbolic. Harry was accepting Hermione and Neville into his inner circle of friends.

This was not the same as being 'allowed the cup'. That indoctrinated the person into the Yakuza as a gaki. The 'offer of rice' only meant that the people were friends of the person who gave the rice to them.

Hermione just blithely dug in, Neville, more used to ceremonial behaviors, bowed slightly, saying, "Thank you."

Harry just grunted around a mouthful of rice and pickles. He looked up as Hedwig swooped in, deposited a box on the table beside his plate and settled on his shoulder.

He gave her a bit of beef and picked up the box. He was sure what it was but opened it anyway.

Hermione eyed the giri with a tiny smirk. The flat box was fairly plain, wrapped as it was in patterned paper. The paper was dark blue with little gold fans printed on it. There was no bow, only a small card, affixed with a bit of spellotape. It said simply, "Malfoy. From: Myamoto" There was a note attached to it as well, but it was clearly addressed to 'Yusuke-kumicho'.

Harry opened the note, read it then handed it to Neville. Neville read it, snorted a laugh and handed it on to Hermione.

She took it with a frown, why was she the last to get the note? She'd find out later. She turned her attention to the note and read, "Kumicho. We found some cheap tanto just as you asked. They are lacquered in red with fancy gold sageo. We hope this is what you were searching for.' It was unsigned.

"Ok, why did I get it last?"

Neville didn't bother to look at her as he replied, "You have time to look up that translation spell?"

"No." Hermione looked puzzled but mollified.

"I know it. Yusuke-kun taught it to me." He glanced at her in amusement. "We do share a dorm."

Then Hermione zeroed in on something. "Um ... Yusuke, I thought tanto didn't usually have sageo."

"They don't. But Malfoy won't know that only the very young and inexperienced need a sageo to keep their tanto from falling through their obi." Yusuke twinkled at her over the edge of his rice bowl.

Hermione catching both the references at once grinned and announced, "Miyamoto Yusuke, you are totally evil. And stop twinkling at me. You look alarmingly like Dumbledore."

"I do? Then my work is done." He laughed softly.

When they were nearly finished eating, a first year stumbled just by Yusuke. No one had ever better dare say he was tripped. Yusuke caught him before he did a header into the slate floor.

"Easy there. Ok?" Yusuke straightened the boy's robes.

"Yes, sir. I'm fine. Thanks for the catch." The boy gave Yusuke an easy smile.

"Well, since you're ok. Could you do something for me? There's a bit of a job I need done." Yusuke gave the impressionable boy the box. "Will you take this to Malfoy for me?" At the boy's expression he reassured him, "Don't worry, no one will hex you." He thought for a moment then went on. "If they do, they'll regret it. Will you?"

He got an assessing look. "Yes. What's in it for me?"

Yusuke laughed. "I'll give you a galleon, or that much of candy and pranks."

"Candy and pranks." The boy held out his hand, obviously for a handshake.

Yusuke shook then handed him the box. "Sorry, I should have asked right off. What's your name?"

"Malcolm Standish." And with that, Malcolm scampered off to the Slytherin table. He tapped Malfoy on the shoulder, shoved the package at him and trotted away. No one bothered him and he settled with his friends. Yusuke gave him a nod and got a wide grin back.

Malfoy opened the box and eyed the strange looking knives. The box contained four knives in sheathes, placed head to tail, like sardines. They were imbedded in shaped hollows in the tray. He took one out and fingered the rather gaudy gold cords wrapped around the saya. He got a very bad feeling about it and wondered if he should have hexed the messenger then decided that such an action would have been a very bad idea. He would write to his father.

Hermione watched Malfoy and wondered what, exactly, the idiot had done to get on Harry's bad side. So, she asked.

Harry looked at her for a moment then said, "I got a report on him and his family. Bad business men, the lot of them. Power brokers without intelligence. They and their sort are ruining Magical Britain. So, I'm undermining him. And through him, his father."

Hermione thought about that for a moment then said, "This might sound a bit petty but ... can I help?"

Harry thought about it then said, "If you can figure out a way for me to get into Slytherin house, that would be a great help."

Hermione snorted softly. "That is beyond me. But ..." She smirked at him in a very Snape like way. "Ask the Terrible Twins."

"Very well." Harry looked down the table at Fred.

Fred looked up and caught his eye. Harry jerked his head and Fred poked George. They both moved up the table to sit on either side of him.

"I need to get into the Slytherin dorms. Will you help me?" He glanced at George.

George caught Fred's eye then said, "If we're forgiven for pranking you." Yusuke just nodded.

Fred continued, "We're complimented. Not can, but will. Humm. And what's in it for us?"

"I let you live." Harry grinned at them, a rather shark like thing that made a nearby third year get up and move.

"Well, in that case, not quite forgiven yet. But ..."

"Meet us in the common room after curfew, we'll see what we can do."

The Twins grinned in a rather scary fashion only to shudder when Harry smiled back. His scary smile was way scarier than theirs.

.

That night was, frankly, fun. Yusuke came out completely relaxed. Pranking a Yakuza Kumicho just wasn't done, but the other way around was. Yusuke was famous for his pranks, and for rewarding those who took them with good nature. His pranks were very rarely mean or cruel, but he could be both when the situation merited it. Most who got pranked in a nasty way were actually grateful, it was much better than losing a finger after all.

He remembered one time when one of the men had screwed up badly. He'd been told to speak to one of the more difficult customers of Yusuke's laundry business. He'd gone in with a bad attitude and ended up hitting the son. Not what he was supposed to do at all. Yusuke had slipped a drug into his tea that kept him awake for over a week. At the end of the week, he'd been so sleep deprived that he'd been nearly insane. Not pleasant at all. And the man had then slept for three days. It didn't help any that his dreams had been nightmares from which he couldn't wake.

Other pranks made it plain that Yusuke could, and would, keep everyone in his gumi in line, without resorting to yubitsumi. Unless it was really necessary. Then, the gloves came off.

But, tonight was all about warning, so things wouldn't be too rough. All Slytherin would suffer some sort of vaguely humiliating prank.

As they made their way down into the Slytherin dorms, Yusuke asked, "Ok, what kind of prank should we play? Something ... not too dangerous, but something that will really get their attention."

Fred used his 'musing and amusing' voice to say, "We have been working on a magical itching powder. Only problem is .. we're not too sure how long the effects last. And, while it doesn't cause any physical symptoms, it's a bit stronger than we really like. So ... like?"

Yusuke asked, "No physical symptoms, except for the actual itching?"

George nodded. "No. No rash, no sores, nothing except the itch. We tried it out on Ron this summer. Nearly went mental before it wore off. It lasted three days. This stuff isn't that strong, but it's still pretty powerful."

Yusuke grinned. "Good. So, how does it work."

Fred grinned back. He thought there was a lot of grinning going on but it was good. Yusuke did have a nice smile, when he wasn't trying to intimidate someone. "Well, my dear friend, it is spread by contact. Underwear is a good place, but any bit of clothing that touches the body works well."

Yusuke chuckled a bit darkly. "I see. Just sprinkle it on something and sweat activates it?"

"Exactly. But, if we can put it somewhere that they put their hands, they'll spread it all over themselves." George snickered softly. "It's not water soluble, in fact, attempts to wash it off, spread it. And that's something else we need to work on. Some sort of solvent to get it off, if we can't manage a time limit."

Yusuke watched as they descended into Twin Speak which consisted of shrugs, grimaces and single words. The decision between them seemed to be not to use the itching powder.

"You're afraid of the results. Why?"

"Don't mind making someone itch like crazy, but ... what if there's a really bad reaction. Someone breaks out in a real rash ... or it's doing more harm than we intend? We're pranksters, not ... well, you understand."

Yusuke thought for a second. "I do. But ..." he smiled, that special easy one that could con a demon. "remember who their head of house is?"

The twins shared a look then just nodded. Fred produced a shaker and handed it to Yusuke. "Just remember ... if you get caught, we have no idea how you got your hands on this."

Yusuke reassured him, "If the Okami couldn't beat information out of me, do you really think Ojiisan Agohigi can guilt it out of me? Give. Beside that, I have immunity. Granted to me by Fudge himself. But that goes no farther. Yes?" His look had both twins nodding vigorously.

It wasn't that dangerous to admit this as, the minute the papers found out about his contract when it was registered with the ICW, it would be all over, or he missed his guess. But, if it got out early, he'd know he couldn't trust the twins. He knew he could trust Neville, he got a feeling about him and those were never wrong. Hermione was a bit of a question, he thought he could trust her but, if she thought it was for his own good, there could be problems.

Fred pointed to a bare patch of wall, bare in that it was devoid of paintings or tapestries. There was, however, a snake in base relief carved into the stones. "Here's the door. Now all we need to do is figure out how to open it. The residents just touch the snake." He reached out to do that. Nothing happened. "Well, that's no good. Twin?"

George started to say something but Yusuke beat him too it. "Open." The parsletongue made both older boys jump. "What? Look." The door was opening quietly.

"Well, well. I wonder how it works for them." no one needed to ask who 'them' was.

Yusuke snorted. "I really don't care. Mess around with that and get me caught and see what happens." He slipped quietly through the door and into the Slytherin common room. The twins followed just as quietly.

It didn't take them long to sprinkle the powder here and there. Any surface that someone might touch, clothing laid out for the next day, even a few bits of underwear that had been left out for the new day. The thing that amused them all was, Snape's quarters were right next door and parceltongue worked on them too. Yusuke made Fred and George stay outside as he slipped in and sprinkled the stuff on a few things. If Snape made a habit of checking his grade book in the morning, he was going to spend a miserable day. Also, if he picked up his wand, or drank tea, or dressed in the robes laid out so neatly on the sofa.

The return to the dorm was made quickly and quietly. Yusuke nodded to Fred and then George. They just gave him a thumbs up and started up the stairs to their room. Yusuke whispered, "Forgiven." Both twins smiled slightly and continued up the stairs to bed.

Yusuke spent the next three hours reading his textbooks for Ancient Runes and finishing his essay on the meaning of the Futhark rune sowilo and the possible interpretations in runic magic.

He found it singularly useless as several other runes had doubtful interpretations. Unlike Kanji which, in magic, had only one interpretation and only one way to write them.

.

The next morning was interesting as most of the Slytherin students were given detention or lost points for scratching in 'personal' places. Or they went to Madam Pomfrey for a lotion. Snape was particularly nasty first and second period. After that he just disappeared.

Malfoy and his goons, Crabbe and Goyle, got detention from Professor McGonagall and lost points from Madam Sprout and Professor Flitwick. Then they also disappeared. In fact, any Slytherin who was affected, disappeared.

Most of the school were both pleased and worried; pleased that Slytherin was obviously in trouble, worried that it might be contagious. The Twins were quietly proud of their accomplishment. Yusuke was amused. And Neville and Hermione kept giving him the sort of look that one gave a puzzle that they'd almost solved, but were stuck on the last piece.

Almost all the affected students had disappeared by lunch time. Snape was seated at the high table for about twenty minutes, during which he caught the eyes of the remaining Slytherins and communicated with them, somehow, that they should return to their house. Yusuke watched him nod at each one then twitch a finger. It was enough for him to understand, yakuza used similar signals.

After collecting the last of his students, Professor Snape got up and left, bowing to Yusuke slightly as he walked between the Gryffindor and Slytherin tables. Yusuke bowed back to exactly the same degree from his seated position.

Hermione gasped, "Oh, no! He knows! What do we do?"

Yusuke patted her hand. "Nothing. He also knows that, if I can get into his house, he has no protection from me. It's a waiting game now."

Neville sighed, "I hate politics. Hermione isn't very good with them either."

Hermione nodded, "Most people are just so ... illogical. Especially Magicals."

Neville scowled at her, drawing his eyebrows together in one line. "Hey! I resemble that."

Yusuke shook his head, laughing. "No, you don't. Actually, you're very logical. For a hormone driven, seventeen year old wizard."

Neville spluttered his pumpkin juice, trying not to laugh, without any success.

Lunch ended on a merry note, with Yusuke and Neville insulting each other genially while Hermione just snickered at them.

.

Shibaru! - bind

Hijinkessou - blades of blood (from Inuyasha)

Kazi no Kizu - sword wind(?) as always manga translations are different. Sometimes not in a good way.

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