Author's Note: Thank you all for dealing with my crap. Really. I'm going to save my rant (if you want to even hear/read it) for the end AN.

Disclaimer: I don't own Hetalia. If I did, I think we all know what would happen. *Points at PanDa and various other ships involving Japan* I don't own Harry Potter, because it's not merged with Hetalia in 'real' life. You get the idea.

Arthur reread the paper in his hand. "Bloody hell!" he shouted, followed by a long string of curses. He ran down into his basement, not bothering to close the door behind him in his rush. He quickly and nervously brewed a new potion. While it was on the fire, he skimmed over the note one last time. It was obvious that the writer had been crying, the tearstains were prominent on the paper, and some of the ink was smudged, but the letter did its job: warning Arthur.

He had little time; he couldn't tell the others in person. He turned to the potion, which was just starting to turn the right shade, and pulled it off of the fire. England grimaced at the scent, but dutifully drank it as soon as it cooled down enough, feeling himself shrink an inch or two as wrinkles took place on his face and his hair turned almost white. He briefly looked in the mirror. "Is it just me, or did my eyebrows get even larger?" The black masses of fur- erm, eyebrow had indeed increased in size. Deciding it wasn't important, he grabbed some powder and disappeared into the green flames.

"What do you mean by he's gone?" Dumbledore asked, eyes flashing dangerously.

"Exactly what it sounds like, sir," Snape droned dully, not affected by the Headmaster's anger. "His room is still intact, but he's disappeared. There's no trace of where he's went, or how long he'll be gone- if he ever returns."

"But it doesn't make any sense!" Dumbledore muttered, mostly towards himself. "I know he let the troll in, but… why, since he went through the trouble of brining it in, would he run away? It makes no sense…" Snape remained quiet, listening closely to Albus's ramblings. "There are too many variables- too much we don't know…" The Headmaster stopped, gaze fixing on the fireplace.

"Severus, you are dismissed. It would appear that I have some company," he said, staring at the now-green fire.

"Dumbledore!" A familiar figure shouted, stepping out of the ashes. "I need to talk to you."

"Ah, if it isn't my good friend Arthur Kirkland," Dumbledore acknowledged him, tilting his head. "Although, I feel like you aren't here for tea like I hoped for."

"What was your first clue?" the slightly-younger-looking-but-actually-way-older wizard growled, his even thicker eyebrows furrowing. "How could you let a troll into the school?"

"It would seem that a Professor let one in, although, for what reason, I haven't a clue," he half-lied.

"And may I know who this Professor is and where I can find them?"

"Professor Quirrell has gone missing, Mr. Kirkland," Severus supplied.

Both old wizards looked at him; England because he didn't even notice he was there, and Dumbledore because he thought he left after he dismissed him. "Ah, Severus," Kirkland started, examining the other. "So it was Professor Quirrell…? Very well," he stated, turning to the grey-haired wizard. "Dumbledore, I suggest that you report this to the ministry so they can find Professor Quirrell and deal with him accordingly. Meanwhile, I will be staying here until Ki- my grandson wakes up."

"Certainly, Arthur," Dumbledore agreed, knowing that the other would inform the ministry if he didn't. "Would you like some company?"

"… No. I think it'd be best if I could be with him alone."

The Hospital Wing looked exactly like it did when he was here last. "Hello?" he called out.

"Just a moment!" A bodiless voice returned. England found himself nodding, blushing when he realized that whoever he was talking to wouldn't be able to see it. Before he could correct his mistake, a middle-aged witch that he recognized as Madam Pomfrey came bumbling out of one of the curtained-off spaces set aside for patients. "Oh- a guest? I suppose you're a friend of Mr. Honda?"

"Grandfather," he told her. At the surprise written on her face he hastily added, "A-Adoptive Grandfather."

"I… see," she said, raising an eyebrow before curtly nodding her head. "He seems to be in fine condition, but hasn't woken up yet," she briefly informed him. "Right this way, Mr. Honda."

England gave a grim chuckle. "It's Kirkland, but please, call me Arthur."

"All right, Arthur," Madam Pomfrey gave her own small, nervous chuckle. "He's right in here. I'll leave you two alone. If anyone comes to visit, should I have them wait?"

"No," the nation answered, thinking about Luna. "I'm fine with his friends coming to visit. It'd be selfish to keep him all to myself while others are worried too…" That reminded him to write Norway and Romania and give them an update on the situation. With one last nod from the nurse, he quietly slipped into the closed off section, the very one Madam Pomfrey exited before greeting him.

"He looks so… peaceful…" was his first thought. And it was true. His hair was neatly groomed, although he couldn't imagine how it was like that- maybe the nurse combed it? - And his face was set in the neutral expression that he usually wore, but with his eyes closed. Arthur reached out and grabbed a limp hand, rubbing small circles with his thumb. Japan had always been a bit more… feminine, but as a child, he looked exactly like a little glass doll. England mentally snorted from the irony; in this state, Kiku was probably just as fragile as one.

Hours passed as he watched over Japan, just sitting there, sometimes murmuring little stories soft enough for only Kiku to hear- if he even could. Soon he heard footsteps and Madam Pomfrey greet someone and he realized that classes must be over by now. Arthur had arrived in the late morning, so it was probably around four.

"… now be respectful- you're not the only ones in to visit him," the middle-aged witch warned whoever was on the other side.

"Is it Luna?" a girl's voice questioned.

Madam Pomfrey made a tut-ing noise and shook her head. "Not yet, but I suspect she'll be coming soon since classes are out." With that, the curtains were pulled aside and three students walked forward. They seemed surprised that he was there.

Well, of course they'd be surprised to see a random, old wizard they'd never met holding hands with one of their friends, who just happened to be unconscious. Realizing just how creeper-like he must've looked, he let go of his 'grandson's' hand.

"Let me guess. You're Ronald Weasley"- he pointed to the redhead- "you're Hermione Granger"- he directed the finger to the brunette- "and you…" he put the hand down and bobbed his head, "are Harry Potter."

"Yes, that's right. And you are?" Hermione, the smart one, inquired.

"Arthur Kirkland, Kiku Honda's adoptive Grandfather."

At his words, the three paled, falling into an uncomfortable silence. "Now then, if you don't mind, I'd like to hear exactly what happened to my grandson."

Luna trudged towards the Hospital Wing. Did Arthur and the others get her message? What was going to happen? Were they going to take Kiku away? What if they already took him away, without letting her say good-bye? "N-No, they wouldn't do that to me. I'm their ally- their friend. They'd let me know if they were going to take him away, right?" Her thoughts were interrupted as she walked into someone.

"Ack!" She regained her balance before she fell on her backside.

"Watch where you're going!" Draco growled, brushing his cloak off where it made contact with her as if it was dirtied. "Honestly."

Luna made no response, walking past him so she could get to the Hospital Wing as soon as possible.

"Oi, Looney! Not so brave without Honda, are you?" Luna ignored him. "I heard he's brain-dead in the Hospital Wing. What're you going to do now, freak?"

Something inside of her was stabbed by his words. "He's not brain-dead… He can't be…" she felt tears at the corners of her eyes. "You're just mad that you're not even half the man Kiku is."

"That pipsqueak- a man?" he asked her incredulously. He and his minions laughed at her.

"Well, yes, just think about it," Luna told them, wanting to prove her thoughts. "He's defeated you, a troll, can do wandless magic… see Nargles…" Luna stopped, deciding that it wasn't worth her time. "There's much more, but I have to go visit him." She quickly abandoned the fuming Malfoy in favor of seeing her friend.

The three finished their story as Luna walked through the curtains. The blonde looked directly at Arthur, seemingly not computing his presence. Then she got it.

"Oh, Arthur, how are you?"

"I'm doing just fine, Luna," he said, face slightly pale. "Just got all of the details of the incident."

Luna dropped her smile. "I see." The others had told her the full story at lunch, so she knew what he just heard. She calmly walked up to the bed, sitting next to the resting form. She absentmindedly started to hum.

"Are you all right, Luna?" Arthur asked her, remembering the tears on the letter she sent. Not to mention, her eyes looked slightly watery…

"… I ran into Malfoy… but other than that I'm fi-"

"Don't lie," Arthur ordered, black masses of eyebrows knitting together.

Luna felt tears fall. "He said that Kiku's brain-dead. I know I shouldn't listen to him but- but still. He hasn't woken up- and you of all people should know how bad that is."

"I know," Arthur groaned. "But there's not much we can do." His eyes wandered over to the other students in the room. "What time is supper here?"

"Uh, it should be in a half an hour or so…" Ron said awkwardly, looking away from the crying blonde.

Arthur nodded. "Well, I've been here for hours, how about we all head down to eat?" He stood up, brushing himself off and started walking out, others following behind.

"Oh, are you staying here, Arthur?" Luna inquired, hurrying to catch up.

The wizard smiled thinly. "I am."

"But, if you're here, why aren't his parents?" Harry asked.

Arthur thought up a lie in no time. "His parents are still in China for business. They might be there for another year or so, depending on whether or not the deal works out."

"What do his parents do?" Hermione questioned.

"They're CEOs in some major corporation or something," Arthur brushed the question off. "I'm not really sure, since I don't know that much about muggle affairs."

"His parents work in the muggle world?" Ron started. "I bet my dad would love to have a conversation with them- he's been dying to know what the function of a rubber duck is for years now. By the way, do any of you know?"

Hermione and Harry gave him weird looks as Arthur struggled not to laugh. "It's simply a muggle bath toy, from my understanding. Kids play with it while in the tub," the eldest explained to him.

"So it basically does nothing?" Ron furrowed his brows in confusion. "Dad's going to freak."

This time, Arthur did laugh.

And was glad to have his mind on something that wasn't so dark and depressing.

And it ended on a (sorta-not-really) happy note! Yay!

All right, so here's what's been going on. School started, and, this year, for some reason, has already been much harder than it should've for me. I had a full day, one class after the other, and got homework daily in almost all of my classes. On top of all of this, I had three presentations in the first week and a half of the year. All of the work made me stay up past my curfew, lose sleep, and all of that wonderful stuff. All of this ended up making me have to drop the one class I really wanted to take so I could get a study hall to do some of my work, because I'm also in fencing and other such things. That class was creative writing.

So that was depressing. Which kinda gave me writer's block for a while- not that I really had any time to type in the first place for a while. Which sucked. Ball.

Now that I'm done with my ranting, I bid you adieu.

R&R!

~Dark Side of the Moon