Haru was sitting in the stairs in front of the school. She had a lot going on in her head. Everything happened so fast that she didn't even really have the time to properly react to it. She was the Gryffindor champion. It was the thing she was the least expecting. Part of her was actually happy, because it meant she still had a chance to win. But at the same time, she couldn't help but feel bad about it. She felt that among the three Gryffindor participants, she was the one who least deserved to be champion.

"You look thoughtful, Ichinose-san. Is something wrong?"

Haru raised her head to see who was talking to her.

"Oh, Hanabusa-san, hi," Haru replied politely, forcing herself to smile. "I'm fine, what about you?"

"I am fine, but it does not look like you are. What is wrong?" Sumireko replied as she sat next to Haru with what appeared to be a concern expression.

Haru sighed. She didn't really want to talk about it. But she didn't want to look disrespectful to Sumireko. And since the latter was also a champion, perhaps she could understand her issues.

"It's just that...I think Tokaku-san or Chitaru-san should have become champion, not me."

"Um...well, your classmates decided to vote for you, so you must deserve more than them to be champion. Why would your classmates voted for you if they did not think you should be champion?"

"I...I don't know. Maybe because I'm the girl who survived? Because during the last task I did nothing. Maybe me being a champion was a mistake…"

"Do not say that. It was a vote, there is no way it could have been a mistake. And you know, I do understand your feelings. I was also surprised that I was chosen to be the Slytherin champion. I mean, both Takechi-san and Inukai-san are part of the Quidditch team, while I have a frail body. I did not feel like I was the most qualify to be champion."

"Well, you're popular, and a prefect. So it's normal that your classmates like you."

"Still, it would be the same as you, I would not have been chosen for my performance in the latest task."

"But you managed to steal a silver egg, while I did nothing. It's still better than me," Haru argued.

Sumireko looked thoughtful for a moment, before a soft yet somewhat malicious smile appeared on her lips.

"Then maybe it's fate. You were fated to become champion because it was your destiny to participate until the end."

"Uh? You think so?" Haru asked.

"Yes. I think it was all the champions' fate to be chosen, because we have a purpose to accomplish in Class Black," Sumireko continued, before her smile looked gloomy for a split-second. "Maybe our fate is to fight each other, Ichinose-san."

Haru felt goosebumps, and the strange unpleasant feeling in her chest. It felt like she was nauseous. Sumireko's smile then went back to normal.

"Just kidding. But since we are both champions, there is a high chance that we will have to fight each other at some point," Sumireko said.

"It's true, but despite that, I want us to stay on good terms. I want to be your friend."

Sumireko looked surprised by this declaration, but she went back to smile softly.

"I always thought we were already friends to be honest," Sumireko replied.

"Really!? Then, I kind of feel dumb right now," Haru said, embarrassed.

Sumireko raised up.

"I have to go. Prefect duty. But Ichinose-san, do not torment yourself too much about this. We became champions for a reason, and soon, you will discover why. Trust me."

"Thanks."

Sumireko simply smiled and walked away. Haru was glad she had a chat with her. It really gave her some confidence as a champion. She was also glad that Sumireko viewed them as friends. But still, she continued to have this weird in unpleasant feeling in her chest.

"Ex...Expelliamus!" Haru shouted.

She pointed her wand at Tokaku, but nothing happened. Haru gazed at her wand like there was something wrong with it, while the blue haired girl sighed.

"Really Ichinose? That's a basic spell, and you pronounced it wrong. It's Expelliarmus, not Expelliamus," Tokaku said.

"Ah, right. Well then...Expelliarmus!"

Haru tried to aim at Tokaku's wand, but instead she hit her directly and she fell on the ground. Haru immediately rushed towards her friend, worried and feeling guilty.

"Tokaku-san, are you okay!? I'm sorry!"

The blue haired girl slowly rose up. But instead of looking mad, she smiled softly.

"Well, that's better. Even though you're supposed to aim at the wand, but it still works that way," Tokaku praised.

The latter had proposed to Haru to help her train her spells for the next tasks. The two were having a practice in the schoolyard, far away from others to not hit them by accident.

"Now let's try Stupify, the stunning spell. It can become handy in a fight," Tokaku said.

"But I don't want to hurt you."

"Hey guys, what are you doing?"

Tokaku immediately looked unpleased when she heard that voice, while Haru smiled.

"Oh, hi Nio! Tokaku-san and I are training for the next tasks."

"Training uh, sounds fun. Can I watch?" Nio asked enthusiastically.

"Sure," Tokaku replied.

Both Haru and Nio looked at her with surprised, like they could believe what they heard. Tokaku, being fine with Nio around? Unthinkable.

"What? Ichinose needs to practice Stupify. Hashiri could be the perfect target for that," Tokaku explained.

"Tokaku-san!" Haru exclaimed.

"What is that, squib discrimination!?" Nio replied with an offended expression that looked to exaggerate to be genuine.

"Urgh, fine. Then go away if you're not going to be of any use. Ichinose can try to use the stunning spell on me instead," Tokaku replied.

"What? No!" Haru protested.

"Don't worry, I'll use the shield charm to block it," Tokaku said.

Haru hesitated for a moment. She really didn't want to cast a spell on her friend, especially not an offensive one. But she knew that Tokaku was a good spell caster, and she was good with the sheld one. So maybe everything was going to be fine.

"Stupify!" Haru shouted as she aimed at Tokaku with her wand.

A little lighting headed for the blue haired girl, who immediately raised her wand.

"Protego!" Tokaku shouted.

A magical shield suddenly appeared and blocked the stunning spell.

"Nicely done, do it again!" Tokaku said.

"Stupify!"

Once again, she aimed at Tokaku, who used the shield charm to block.

"Disarmed me now!" Tokaku ordered.

"Expelliarmus!" Haru shouted.

She aimed at Tokaku's wand and this time, she hit it. Tokaku's wand flew from her hand and she was now disarmed. She went to retrieve her wand.

"Good. Now it's time for you to use the shield charm. I'll cast a spell on you and you'll have to block it. Ready?" Tokaku asked.

"...Uh….yes?" Haru said, unsure.

"Oh, that's gonna be fun to watch!" Nio said excitedly.

Haru took a defensive position, her wand pointed at Tokaku, ready to defend herself.

"Expelliarmus!" Tokaku shouted.

"Prote-" Haru began to say.

But it was too late, Tokaku's spell hit her wand and disarmed her.

"Too slow! Take your wand back, I'll do it again," Tokaku commanded.

"Y-Yes!"

Haru continued to try to use the shield spell. It took several attempts before she succeeded.

"Expelliarmus!"

"Protego!" Haru shouted quickly.

A magic shield blocked Tokaku's spell just in time.

"Congratulation! Again!" the blue haired girl said.

They tried it several times, and each time Haru managed to block.

"Good, now let's try something else. You'll block the stunning spell," Tokaku said.

"Uh, you sure? Isn't….dangerous?" Haru said, worried.

"Don't worry, you're doing well. Just do the same and it should be fine."

"Oh, that's going to be fun!" Nio exclaimed.

"You're still there? Go away," Tokaku replied.

"Nope, I want to see what's going to happen," Nio said with a cat-like smile.

Haru took a defensive posture, her wand in front of her, ready to block. Tokaku pointed her wand at her.

"Stupify!" Tokaku shouted.

"Proteg-"

Haru felt a sudden pain and everything went black as she fell on the ground.

Haru slowly opened her eyes. She was lying on something soft and comfy. She looked around and recognized the place she was. It was the infirmary and she was lying on a bed.

By her side there was Tokaku, who looked both worried and regretful. Haru noticed that they weren't alone. Nio was there too, smiling happily, and Haru was surprised to see that Kouko was also present, looking serious and a little bit mad.

"I'm so sorry, Ichinose. It's my fault," Tokaku said.

"No, it's also mine. I agreed to do this," Haru said, trying to comfort her.

Kouko suddenly cleared her throat, before readjusting her glasses.

"You too, you're into deep trouble. Using spells outside class is forbidden, especially offensive spells! What were you thinking, you could have been hurt," Kouko reprimanded severely.

"But, we were just practicing for the next task!" Haru protested.

"Reason why you shouldn't have done that. Ichinose, you're a champion, you can't risk to hurt yourself. And Azuma, it was irresponsible of you to propose her that. You'll both be in detention, and I'll ask your Head of House to remove points to Gryffindor."

"What!?" Haru exclaimed.

"Seriously, you're just trying to remove us points so Ravenclaw could win," Tokaku replied.

"No, I'm not! I'm just acting like a proper prefect. You break the rules, it's only normal that I correct you. Now if you excuse me, I have to go see Azuma-sensei."

Kouko left the infirmary, while Tokaku glared at her.

"Why do you care so much? You don't seem like the type who cares about your house victory," Nio said.

"I'm not, I just don't like her attitude. She's clearly taking advantage of her authority," Tokaku replied. "And what are you still doing here? Go away, trash."

Nio simply smiled as she left the infirmary.

"It's not like you to be so upset like that," Haru commented.

"I know, it's just that...for the first time I actually want to win. No, not quite that. I want you to win. Because I want you to have your wish granted."

Tokaku suddenly avoided her eyes, embarrassed. Haru smiled softly as she gently took her hand.

"Thank you, Tokaku-san. But don't worry, I'm sure it's going to be fine. After all your aunt is our Head of House, I'm sure she won't take us too many points. Probably just a few to please Kaminaga-san."

Haru suddenly thought about Kouko. She knew she was the diligent type that took her prefect duty really seriously, but she found that this time, she had been harsher than usual. She then remembered what Suzu said, that Kouko seemed tormented by something. Could it be why she was more severe than usual?

"I'll do my best to win, you can count on me. I'll win for the both of us," Haru said with confidence.

Tokaku smiled at that, closing her hand on Haru's.

"Yes, I'm sure you can."

Shorter chapter than usual, both worry not, next one will be more exciting! Seeya next time ^^