Disclaimer: I don't own Harry Potter of Prince of Tennis!
...
...
Ryoga stood hidden by the shadow of the garage just inside the gates, which he could see over, and stared at the girl who had so quickly become his little sister and the boy. The boy, who was way too close to her, was smiling at her like they were sharing a secret.
Ryoga couldn't see her face but he bet she was smiling back at him. They seemed to be completely lost in their own world and he wondered if he were to move; would they notice him or not? He really hadn't planned on spying on her. He just happened to be on his way out with the trash when he noticed Hari and the boy.
He had stepped into the shadows when he realised that it was Hari because he didn't want to embarrass her…and he was curious. Okay, mostly curious. He would admit that. He knew she was hiding something from them or more likely from Nanjiro. He completely understood why.
He couldn't hear what they were saying unfortunately and he didn't dare to move closer. But he blinked when the boy (whom he suddenly felt a rash need to rip away from his little sister and continue to beat up) leaned forward and kissed her. He kissed Hari.
Ryoga frowned because from where he stood it didn't look like Hari was trying to push him away at all. Ryoga would have been ready to step in if she had but she didn't so Ryoga remained standing where he was despite the instinct to rush in and push the boy away.
Who was this boy? Who was this tall and mysterious boy who dared to kiss Hari and then push her hair away from her face with such gentle hands? Well, at least he was gentle. But that wasn't the point! The point was: WHO WAS HE?
The boy (wow that word started to sound like the enemy the more he said it) smiled once more and turned before he walked away. Hari remained standing where she was watching him and when he reached the corner he turned and waved at her. She waved back.
Ryoga stared at Hari who still hadn't moved from the spot only raised her hand to touch her lips. He stepped out of the shadows and opened the gate making Hari spin around wide-eyed as she stared at him.
He could see the shock and then the panic in her eyes as she clearly wondered just what he had seen. He briefly wondered if he should pretend he hadn't seen anything but then decided against it.
"So, who's the guy?" Ryoga asked with a smirk.
"You were spying on me?" Hari demanded as her shocked slash panicked expression turned into a scowl.
"You can't call it spying when you're kissing random guys on the front steps," Ryoga smirked as she blushed. "Anyone could be walking out of the door at any moment. It's not my fault that you were here kissing someone where anyone could see."
Hari huffed and pushed her way past him mentally scolding herself before she wondered why she cared. She wasn't going to hide Seiichi. Was she?
No, she wasn't.
But…
She grimaced. She could only imagine Nanjiro's reaction to her having a boyfriend. That was not going to be pretty and she really didn't want to deal with it…
...
She walked up the stairs and into her room before closing the door behind her. She put her bag down and sighed when she heard the door open behind her.
"You didn't think that you could avoid answering my questions by going to your room, did you?" Ryoga asked.
"I don't see why I have to answer you, nii-chan," Hari said without looking at him. "It's not any of your business."
Ryoga was silent for a moment.
"I guess that's right;" Ryoga said.
Hari could hardly believe it. Was he giving in so easily?
"I guess I could ask Oyaji," Ryoga mused.
Of course not. She deflated. She should have known.
"Don't," Hari said and turned to look at him.
Ryoga was still smirking as he looked at her and she had no idea what he was thinking. Unlike his father and brother, he was still a mystery to her. She couldn't just look at him and know what he was thinking. It annoyed her.
"Close the door," she said and sighed.
The grin he gave her proved that he just considered this a win and that he had gotten her to do what he wanted. But he did close the door and sat down on the bed looking at her expectantly.
"Well?" he said when she didn't say anything. "Who was he?"
"Yukimura Seiichi," Hari said.
"And where did you meet this Yukimura Seiichi?" Ryoga asked.
Hari sighed as she explained where she had met him and Ryoga snorted.
"Of course you met him while getting lost," he said.
"I wasn't lost the first time I met him," Hari pouted.
"Sure," Ryoga said. "So, you've spent time with him?"
"Hai," Hari admitted turning toward Hedwig who was sleeping in her cage. &o
"And how long have you been dating him?" Ryoga asked.
Hari withheld a sigh and knew she was blushing.
"It was the first date today," Hari said. "He sent me those flowers yesterday and asked me out."
Ryoga looked at the flowers and arched a brow.
"A 14-year-old boy sent you flowers?" Ryoga asked. "That's not something boy's that age normally do."
"He enjoys gardening and flowers," Hari said smiling softly. "It was romantic."
He could learn something from this boy it would seem, Ryoga thought as he watched the soft smile on Hari's face.
"You know you can't hide the fact that you have a boyfriend from Oyaji," Ryoga said.
"I'm not going to hide it," Hari protested, "I just want to get used to the idea and enjoy it before he gets all overdramatic about it all."
Ryoga laughed making her glare at him and toss a book at him but he dodged it still laughing.
"That will be a show," he said. "Matenai."
Hari rolled her eyes at him and sat down on the office chair.
"Glad you're amused," she said.
He looked at her for a moment and his smile softened.
"You know, he only does that because he cares about you," Ryoga said. "That's why he wants to protect you."
"I still can take care of myself," Hari said.
"Sure you can," Ryoga agreed. "And he knows that…deep down, at least."
Hari nodded and smiled a little. She did know that Nanjiro knew that and that he cared about her, he probably cared more than anyone else she'd met.
"I'll tell him," Hari said. "But not right now. I just want to enjoy it a little before I do and wait until Sei-chan is out of Tokyo."
The last part was added dryly and Ryoga nodded amusedly.
"Sounds like a good idea," Ryoga said.
"Arigatou," Hari said.
Ryoga got up and walked over to her and put a hand on her head. She blinked as she looked up at him seeing the soft smile on his face as he looked back at her.
"Are you happy, Hari-chan?" he asked quietly. "He treated you alright? He didn't force a kiss on you or anything?"
Hari blushed but smiled all the same.
"I'm happy," she said shyly. "I really am, Ryoga-nii-chan. He…he's perfect."
Ryoga looked at her for a moment longer with an unreadable look on his face before he smiled and ruffled her hair.
"Good," he said before turning to walk out of the room.
...
Hari was still smiling when she arrived at school the next day pretending that she didn't notice Ryoma and Momoshiro's suspicious glances or their whispered conversations. She was too happy to care about them right now.
She waved goodbye to Ryoma and headed toward her classroom with Momoshiro beside her and she noticed that he didn't chatter on like he normally did but was watching her with a strange look on his face.
"Something wrong, Momo-chan?" she finally asked.
"No, nothing," Momoshiro said.
Hari shrugged and noticed Sora and Hira in front of them so she called out for them and they stopped and turned to look at her.
"Hari-chan!" Sora smiled. "You look happy."
Hari laughed and linked arms with the other girl.
"I guess I am," she said. "So, what's up with you?"
"Nothing much," Sora shrugged, "I was trying to convince Hira to give the Lord of the Rings book a try and not just watch the movies."
"I don't want to read them," Hira groaned. "They're too long."
"So are the movies!" Sora protested. "But you could get so much more out of the story by reading it…"
Hari shook her head as she listened with half an ear to their bickering about reading or not reading the books as she wondered if Seiichi would call her while she was at school or if he would wait until later. He would probably wait, but she really wished he would call soon because she wanted to talk with him…
"Hari-chan? Earth to Hari-chan?"
Hari blinked and saw Sora, Hira and Momoshiro stare at her while Sora waved a hand in front of her face.
"Oh. Gomen," Hari smiled sheepishly. "Did I miss something?"
"Just the classroom," Hira rolled his eyes.
"Yeah, you walked right past it," Momoshiro said. "What's with you lately, Hari-chan? You're really distracted."
Hari shrugged and walked into the classroom.
...
"So, how's our Hari-chan today?" Kikumaru asked as soon as he saw Momoshiro during lunch. "And where is she?"
Momoshiro sat down at the lawn beside Ryoma who looked up and also looked around for Hari.
"She said she would meet us here," Kaido said before he hissed something.
"And how is she today?" Oishi asked worriedly. "Is she distracted today as well? I hope she's alright and that she's not getting sick or something."
Ryoma sighed as he leaned back against the tree again once he realised that Hari wasn't there. He glanced over at Momoshiro.
"She's distracted but she seems happy," Momoshiro said. "She smiles at nothing and I saw her doodle in her notebook with a smile on her face."
The others looked pensive at this and glanced at each other like someone might have an idea and sudden inspiration. Only Tezuka seemed to be unconcerned by the mystery of the happy Hari. Fuji was smiling and looked more puzzled than concerned. It looked like he had an idea of what was going on.
"Fujiko-chan?" Kawamura asked having spotted this as well. "Do you have any ideas?"
Fuji gave his signature smile.
"Saa," he said.
"Come on, Fujiko-chan," Kikumaru whined and attached himself to Fuji's arm. "Tell us…"
"Yeah," Ryoma narrowed his eyes. "Tell us."
Fuji looked over at Ryoma and smiled.
"Well, I would think it is obvious," Fuji said.
Kikumaru let out a loud wail and started to shake Fuji who just smiled that calm and eye-closed smile of his.
"You know! You know! So tell us!" Kikumaru yelled. "What if Hari-chan needs help?"
"She doesn't," Fuji smiled seemingly unbothered by being shaken by Kikumaru.
Kikumaru let go and pouted.
Ryoma narrowed his eyes as he looked at Fuji. He huffed. He knew something was up with Hari. She had been…happy and giggling. That was not his sister. Well, he didn't mind that she was happy. He always wanted her to be happy, but… why? What was it that made her so happy? So happy that she would giggle and blush by just looking at the gates in front of their house? That didn't make any sense.
"Besides, didn't you follow her yesterday?" Fuji asked innocently. He knew that Kikumaru, Oishi (dragged along by Kikumaru), Momoshiro and a reluctant Kaido (Momoshiro had dragged him with them) along with Ryoma had decided to follow Hari the day before to see if she went anywhere after school since she was so distracted. Fuji would have joined them (just to laugh and have something to tease them with) but he couldn't because Yuta was coming home and he had promised to see him.
Tezuka frowned slightly as he listened but didn't say anything.
"We tried," Kikumaru pouted even more. "But she just disappeared and we couldn't find her after practice."
Fuji arched a brow.
"And you saw no one around the school? Like someone had come to pick her up or something?" he asked.
"No," Momoshiro said sadly.
"Well, there was that kid," Kikumaru said. "You know the one with the dark-blueish hair?"
"A kid?" Fuji looked interested.
"Yeah, well, he was just a kid, wasn't he?" Momoshiro asked looking confused.
"Saa," Fuji hummed and smiled again.
Kikumaru looked at Fuji confused but before he could ask they spotted Hari leaving the school building and coming toward them but she wasn't looking up at them but down at her phone and it looked like she was texting or something.
...
Hari was well aware that Momoshiro and Kaido were suspicious about her but she didn't pay them any attention and when the lunch bell rang she pulled out her phone (she had been dying to do so all through her class) and saw that she had received a text from Seiichi. She smiled and felt like giggling but bit down on her tongue to stop herself.
She told Momoshiro and Kaido that she would meet them at the usual spot where they had lunch later before she left the classroom before waiting for their response. She was already reading the text.
Hey! So, I know you have school but I just couldn't wait until I texted you. How are you, Hari-chan? Any regrets about yesterday? Seiichi.
She smiled as she hurriedly texted him back.
Hey! I'm glad you texted. I'm fine. Happy. And I have no regrets about yesterday. You? Hari.
She stopped by a window overlooking the yard in front of the school and the spot where the regulars and sometimes also the first years from the tennis club would meet for lunch. She saw them now gathering around.
I'm happy to hear it. I was thinking that I might have pushed too fast. But glad that's not the case. I have no regrets either. I'm very happy you agreed to be my girl. What are you doing right now?
Hari stepped a little to the side to allow some girls to get past her as she looked out of the window again.
It's lunch. I'm soon on my way to join the rest of the team for lunch, but right now I'm watching Kikumaru-sempai manhandle Shu-chan for some reason. What about you?
Hari did wonder what had Kikumaru shake Fuji like that, well, she guessed everyone felt the need to shake Fuji from time to time. He had probably teased him or something.
Poor Fuji. You should go and eat before the lunch hour is over. You need to eat. We can talk more later. I'm packing my things. I have to go back today. I can't lose more school.
Hari sighed sadly. She didn't want him to go back home today. She wanted to see him again and again. Why did he have to live so far away?
Alright. When are you leaving today? Could I see you before you leave?
She was already walking down the stairs so she could go and meet the others. She was just exiting through the front doors of the school when another text came.
I would love to see you once more before I leave. You could come and see me off? We could meet at the park where I met you that first time? Nearby your school?
Hari couldn't help the smile that spread on her lips reading this or the burst of excitement that hit her. She could see him again!
Great! I'll meet you there after school. Around four?
She put the phone away when she reached her friends and paused when she felt everyone looking at her. She hid a sigh as she realised that she would be facing questions after questions for the rest of lunch. Super.
...
The rest of the day was more or like the same as the start and Hari was impatient for it to end so she could leave and go and see Seiichi again. But she did foresee a problem because for the rest of the day she would always find one or two of the boys showing up out of nowhere.
It would be a big and annoying problem and she could feel a twitch start to form just above her eyes. She huffed when she saw Momoshiro and Kikumaru waiting by the school gates and huffed. While she had no plan on hiding Seiichi from anyone it didn't mean that she was going to tell them right away either. At least not right now, because if she told them where she was going they would insist on coming with her. She would waste too much time trying to talk them out of it and she could not, would not, miss seeing Seiichi because of two clingy suspicious boys, so…
Okay, so maybe climbing the wall wasn't the best idea, but – hey! She was not going to answer any more of their questions. Lunch had been bad enough.
She hurried down the streets and actually found the park without getting lost and without meeting anyone from her team. So, that was a win in her book.
"Hari-chan," Seiichi smiled getting up from the bench.
"Hey," she smiled back before she stopped a little unsure on what to do next.
Seiichi just smiled and held out his hand but let it hang in the air in front of her until she reached out to take it. He squeezed it before he reached behind him and picked up a bag she hadn't noticed before now.
"Did you have a good day at school?" Seiichi asked as they started to walk.
"It was fine," Hari said. "But the boys were annoying."
"Ah, nande?"
"I think they might have tried to spy on me yesterday," Hari scoffed.
"Spy?" Seiichi asked arching a brow slightly as he glanced over at her.
"It's just a feeling I have," Hari said. "They asked a lot of questions today and looked at me like they tried to figure me out. So annoying."
Seiichi shook his head a little but didn't say anything else. They walked in silence for a little bit and Hari enjoyed the feeling of his warm hand in hers and wondered if it was normal that her stomach was doing flip-flops just because he was so close and holding her hand.
"Sei-chan," Hari suddenly said breaking the silence between them.
"Hai?" Seiichi glanced over at her.
"Do…do you plan on telling anyone about me?" she asked without looking at him and tried to keep her voice even.
He paused and since he held her hand she stopped as well. She didn't move until she felt him reach out and turn her around making her realise that he had let go of her hand but was instead letting his hands rest on her shoulders.
"I don't plan on keeping you a secret, if that's what you're asking," Seiichi said kindly.
"Oh, um, no, I…wasn't…" Hari stopped feeling flustered.
"And I want to meet your friends as well," Seiichi said lifting one hand to push her hair out of her face as another wild strand of hair had escaped.
"You already know most of them," Hari said but she felt a little better.
"I can only really say that I know Tezuka and Fuji," Seiichi corrected. "The others I have seen but not really interacted with. Besides, I meant that I would like to meet them as your boyfriend."
Hari blinked before she smiled.
"Honto?" she asked.
"Of course, Hari-chan," he smiled back. "That's what being in a relationship means."
"You'd even want to meet my crazy family?" Hari asked.
"Yes," Seiichi nodded.
"Well, I don't know if you ever meeting Otou-chan is a good idea," Hari said. "He's taking overprotectiveness into a new level."
"I can handle it," Seiichi laughed. "For you."
Hari couldn't help the rush of emotion going through her or the need to kiss him so she did. She leaned in and for the first time initiated the kiss and allowed herself to stay close and felt his hands on her waist as he pulled her closer.
The sounds around them faded into nothing as she kissed him and felt him pull her closer and noticed just how warm he was and how strong his arms felt as they held her.
She was smiling when he pulled back and felt the blush in her cheeks. He reached up and let his fingers trace her cheek and down her neck before he pulled back and took her hand in his again.
They started to walk once more and this time neither interrupted the comfortable silence between them. Both just enjoying the other's company.
...
"I'll come back as soon as I can," Seiichi promised.
They were standing outside the train and Hari didn't want him to leave.
"But it still is too long," Hari pouted but smiled soon after.
"Agreed, but there's nothing to do," Seiichi smiled. "And you could come and visit me too, you know."
Hari grimaced.
"I just have to get Okaa-chan and Otou-chan to lift my train probation," Hari said. "Something Otou-chan is so likely to do when he finds out that it's to visit my boyfriend."
Seiichi chuckled.
"I don't see what's so funny," Hari said.
He reached out and pushed her hair back behind her ear making her smile and lean into his touch.
"You really like doing that," she commented.
"I find your hair fascinating," Seiichi admitted. "It never stays in place."
"It's my dad's fault," Hari pouted.
"I like it," Seiichi smiled.
"Well, that's good, then," Hari said a little shyly. "But, I'll try to get Okaa-chan to allow me to use the trains again. She's the one with common sense and the one who stays calm."
"Good," Seiichi smiled and looked back at the train before looking at her again. "I have to go. I'll call you."
"You better," Hari said and smiled as Seiichi leaned forward and kissed her cheek quickly before he stepped back and with a last smile stepped onto the train.
Hari remained standing on the platform until the train was gone and she was standing there on her own. She missed him already.
...
"Kanto tournament is approaching fast and it's different from the prefectural," Ryuzaki told them seriously as they stood gathered in the tennis court. "There will be even more strong players and I would like for us to send out best players as well. That's why we have another interschool school ranking matches."
Hari felt her eyes widen as she realised that she had completely forgotten about the ranking matches that was coming. She had been so absorbed in her own life and Seiichi so she had completely forgotten. But as she listened as Ryuzaki talked and felt a rush of excitement as well as nerves fill her at the thought of the tournament and the idea of being able to play in it.
"Because we have so many talented players this year," Ryuzaki continued. "I have decided to make some changes. Normally there are eight regulars. That's the usual number for most teams, but it's not the set number. I will this time choose 9 regulars instead of 8."
Glances were exchanged and some broke out in whispers at Ryuzaki's announcement.
"Quiet," she ordered and they all fell silent again. "Now, we still have only four blocks. The top two players from each block will be automatically chosen as a regular like normal. But, this time it doesn't end here. The third places from each block will then play each other in order to decide which one will take the 9th spot as a regular. I decided that the third place from block A and B will play each other and the same with C and D, before the winner of block A or B will play the winner of block C and D. Understand?"
It sounded simple enough, Hari thought but she wasn't sure she liked the idea much. But it was the game so she would play.
"Find out what block you're in and go to the assigned court," Ryuzaki ordered.
...
Hari frowned slightly as she read the list and saw her name in Block D and it was the same block as Kikumaru and Kaido. Both who were really good and she was both excited and curious to see if she could beat them.
"How are you feeling?" Yoshida asked coming up beside Hari.
Hari glanced at her and smiled slightly.
"Saa," Hari shrugged. "I don't really know."
"You don't feel confident?" Yoshida asked curiously.
"I'm confident enough," Hari said. "Did you help set up the block's?"
"Yes, Ryuzaki-sensei asked me for my opinion," Yoshida said.
"I see," Hari smiled. "Good job, Yoshida-san."
Hari looked over and saw Arai coming up toward her.
"You're my first opponent, Arai-san?" Hari smiled.
"You bet," he grinned. "I won't go easy on you because you're a girl, Hari-chan."
"I would be angry at you if you did," Hari said with an answering grin.
...
Without really meaning to, Yoshida drifted over to the court where Hari was playing against Arai. She had been walking between the courts writing notes on her notepad on the players and their games but unconsciously she drifted toward Hari.
She found a small group of spectators already gathered around the court watching Hari and Arai. She stopped beside the journalists Inoue and Shiba. The latter was taking photos of Hari.
"She's really become strong," Inoue commented.
"You mean you believe that she can become a regular?" Shiba asked her sempai. "Officially?"
Yoshida glanced over at the journalist who followed their team so closely and showed up at a lot of their practices. She saw the pondering look on his face as he watched Hari return one of Arai's serves and taking the point.
"I think she has a very good chance of becoming a regular," Inoue finally said.
"Even if she's in the same block as Kikumaru and Kaido?" Shiba sounded a little sceptical.
That was tough, and Yoshida recognised that but she really hoped that Hari would make it. It would prove that girls' could play tennis seriously as well and maybe make a point to the rest of the girls' team here because they really needed to get a wake-up call when it came to practising tennis.
Yoshida had a hope that when they saw the result of Hari's hard work they would realise that tennis could be fun and rewarding for them as well.
"It will be tough but not impossible," Inoue said. "Hari-chan works hard and has talent."
"Yes, but…" Shiba frowned.
"We just have to wait and see what she has to show us," Inoue said.
Yoshida inhaled and focused on Hari who was smiling and looked to be having fun. A glance over at Arai showed that he was frowning slightly as he glared over at Hari.
"She's in the lead 5-1," Sakuno said coming up beside Yoshida.
"Already?" Yoshida asked.
"Yes," Sakuno nodded smiling slightly. "She lost the first game and Arai got cocky, but Hari-chan never gives up and, well, she didn't look to upset by it. She won the next one and has won since."
Yoshida blinked but smiled slightly as she realised that Hari was even stronger than she had predicted.
"I'm surprised, Sakuno-chan," Yoshida said and looked over at the younger girl who was staring at Hari with an awed look on her face.
"Eh?"
"I would have thought you would have watched Echizen's match?" Yoshida said curiously because it was a well-known (and unspoken fact) that Sakuno liked the youngest Echizen.
"Oh," Sakuno blushed and shifted on her feet. "I wanted to, but I also wanted to watch Hari-chan. It's exciting to think that she can become a regular for the boys' tennis team, don't you think? I wanted to see how Hari-chan was doing and I just couldn't look away."
Yoshida smiled kindly at the excited girl who was looking completely captivated. Yoshida could understand because she too found it difficult to look away from Hari's match. The way she played was captivating in an unusual way. It truly looked like she was having fun and that she was free when she was on the court.
"I can understand that," Yoshida said softly watching as Hari took the match point and won the first match in the interschool ranking tournament.
...
Hari shook Arai's hand and thanked him for the match before walking over to the bench and grabbed the towel to wipe the sweat off her forehead and smiled when a bottle of water was handed to her by Yoshida.
"Thank you, Yoshida-san," Hari smiled.
"You played well," Yoshida said.
"It was fun," Hari said before taking a deep drink of the water. "Arai is good."
"You won pretty convincingly;" Yoshida said.
"But I had to fight for it," Hari said. "Besides, I'm a bad match-up for Arai."
Yoshida nodded in agreement.
"You're playing Kikumaru-sempai tomorrow," Yoshida commented.
"Yeah," Hari smiled before getting a thoughtful look on her face. "I am."
"Are you worried?" Yoshida asked.
"Not more than I should be," Hari chuckled and got up. "I'm more excited. It will be fun to play Kikumaru. He's an interesting player who is difficult to predict. It'll be fun."
...
England
...
"You mean Hari left her aunt and uncle by herself because she wanted to?" Hermione asked her father.
"That was what her aunt said," Mr Granger said.
"But…why?" Hermione asked. "And where did she go? How could her aunt and uncle just allow her to leave?"
Mr Granger looked at his daughter for a moment wondering just what he should say or how much. It had not been a pleasant meeting with the Dursley's and he really didn't like them. The way they spoke about Hari had all of his warning bells going off and if he didn't need to get answers from them he would have been a lot more…unpleasant toward them that he had been.
He had a feeling that Hari hadn't told her friends just what was going on at home and he didn't really want to be the one to tell them. It was Hari's secret but at the same time, he couldn't hide it from Hermione either.
"I believe there are things that your friend hasn't told you, Hermione," Mr Granger eventually said. "I don't think I should be the one to tell you because it is not my secret or life to tell."
"Dad…" Hermione said a little startled.
"Listen to your dad, Hermione," Mrs Granger said softly.
"But…Hari!" Hermione looked between her parents. "Where is she?!"
"She's in Japan if her aunt is telling the truth," Mr Granger said.
"Japan?!" Hermione gaped. "Why?!"
"Apparently she has a friend there and she left to go to him," Mr Granger said. "They decided to allow her to stay and even arranged it with the Dursley's."
"Arranged?"
Mr Granger looked at Hermione for a moment before he sighed.
"Her aunt told me that they adopted her, Hermione," Mr Granger said.
"Hari has been adopted?" Hermione repeated shocked.
"Looks like it," Mr Granger said.
Hermione was silent for a moment.
"So, you don't think Hari will come back?" Hermione asked quietly.
"Her aunt didn't say anything about her coming back, no," Mr Granger said and his voice was a little tight because he didn't want to repeat just what had been said on the matter.
That girl better stay away! We finally got rid of her and I'll be damned if she ever steps into my house again!
It had been the uncle who had said that and Mr Granger, the usually calm and collected Mr Granger had actually reached out and hit the other man hard enough to make him bleed.
Mr Granger shook the memory away and looked over at his daughter who had bowed her head so that her hair was shadowing her face.
...
"You want to do what?!" Ron stared incredulously at Hermione who was pacing in front of him. They were down by the lake a little bit away from the Burrow, a spot that they often used during the summer. It was a nice spot for bathing and relaxing but right now that was not on either of the two's mind. Hermione had arrived earlier that day and had quickly dragged Ron away with her so she could tell him what she had learned from her father.
"It's not 'want'," Hermione scowled at him. "It's going to! I'm going to go to Japan to look for Hari!"
Ron stared at her.
"You sure she is in Japan?" Ron asked.
"I told you," Hermione said impatiently. "Dad found out that she has been adopted by a Japanese couple and that means that she is in Japan!"
"But where in Japan? Are you just going to go travelling all around Japan and hope that you find her?" Ron asked.
"Of course not," Hermione said rolling her eyes. "Dad said he was pretty sure she would be in Tokyo."
Ron frowned slightly but he felt a spark of hope and excitement go through him as he stared at Hermione. Where they really that close to finding Hari?
"But… how are we going to get to Tokyo?" Ron asked and Hermione looked at him.
"We?" She asked hopefully.
"Of course it's we," Ron said rolling his eyes before he smiled. "I'm not letting you go looking for Hari on your own, you know. I want to find her too."
Hermione smiled.
"I don't really know," Hermione admitted. "We will need to find a plan. Dad and mum would maybe allow me to go, but not just us. They can't come because they have to work. They used their vacation earlier this year on a cruise because of their wedding anniversary."
Ron nodded thoughtfully.
"I don't see mum allowing us to go," Ron frowned. "She's too much of a worrier."
Hermione nodded.
"And…you think she would tell Dumbledore?" Hermione asked looking at Ron who frowned.
"She's not too happy with him for allowing Hari to be suspended and then losing her," Ron said. "But, I do think she would think we should tell him if we know where she is."
Hermione frowned pensively as she thought about it. She was sure that Ron was correct but that did hinder their options a little. Since they were minors they would need parental consent to travel abroad on their own.
"We want to go to!" Twin set of voices said and both Ron and Hermione spun around to see Fred and George coming forward from a tree they had been hiding behind.
"You spied on us?!" Ron demanded angrily.
"Well, you wouldn't have told us if we asked you," Fred said carelessly.
"And you really should be careful about where you talk," George added.
"Especially if you're planning on running away from home to find Hari!" They said together.
Hermione and Ron exchanged annoyed looks but there was nothing they could do about it now.
...
"So, our Hari is in Tokyo," Fred said pensively. "I wonder why she went there by all places. Though, it seems like a good hiding spot. Old Dumbles has no idea where she is after all."
"True, true," George nodded.
"How are we going to explain all of us disappearing?" Ron scowled. "Mum will notice if we all leave."
"That's true," George said again.
"But still…" Fred smiled. "I'm not letting you go and find Hari on your own, Ronikins."
"We want to see her too," George said with the same mischievous smile.
"We still don't know how or if it's even possible," Hermione scowled. "And it costs money to travel. I have some money saved up, but I can't afford to pay for all of us."
The Weasley brother's looked a little uncomfortable at the mention of money and especially Ron scowled darker.
"We'll figure it out," Fred said.
"First we need to figure out what to do and how to do it," Ron said with a sigh. "I still don't know how we're going to trick mum and dad."
"If we explain it to her and tell her that Hari didn't want Dumbledore to know…" Hermione tried.
"You're too honest and naïve, Hermione," Fred said giving her an almost pitying look.
"Mum will not go against Dumbledore," George agreed. "Even unhappy with him she fully believes that he should know where Hari is and she would want Hari to come back and attend Hogwarts again too. She believes that Hari belongs there with us so that they can keep an eye on her."
"I want Hari to come back as well," Hermione admitted, "but not if she truly is happy where she is. If she is then she should do what makes her happy."
The others nodded.
"I think I might have an idea," Fred suddenly said and smiled.
...
...
AN: What do you think? XD
Do you have any wishes for other pairings in this story? Hari and Seiichi are set. I won't change them. But I'm open to suggestions for pairings for the other characters. I am considering Momoshiro and Tachibana An. But nothing (other than the main pairing) is set. I'm not sure I'll add more pairings but I would like to know what you think :)
Hope you liked the chapter! Thank you all so much for the response this story has gotten! I really appreciate it! :)
Japenese words used:
Oyaji - Old man/dad
Nii-chan - brother
Hai - Yes
Matenai - I can't wait
Arigatou - Thank you
Gomen - Sorry
Saa - Filler
Sempai - upperclassman
Nande - why
Honto - Really
Otou-chan - dad
Okaa-chan - mom
