The great gates opened to a crowd of students pushing and shoving.

"Isn't that the party that Master Harry sent out on that quest?!"

"Scoot, Julia!"

"Ooh. The guy in the blue's kinda hot."

"He's right there."

Deku tried to cover his face with his arms as he walked. Despite his new knighting and his recent adventure, he was still pretty socially awkward. Ochako poked him with her staff. "C'mon. You're a knight now. Show them that."

Deku carefully lowered his arms, Geralt pressing to his side. Todoroki seemed unfazed, sitting atop Winter and smiling at everyone. Iida walked with an air of elegance, his visor down and posture straight. Ochako sat atop Sakura, her grin blinding.

"So, the little heroes have returned."

Master Harry appeared from behind the throng, cutting a path through the bustle as easily as a river. "Let me see how you have held up." He took Deku's face in his hands, staring at his worn eyes. "Todoroki sent me the ice wren. I read all about your battles and trials." Deku shook in confusion. "Ice…Wren?" The Master raised his arm from within his cloak to reveal a bird. Well, not a living one…technically. A bird made of ice. The bird's feathers were seemingly made of blue glass, and its eyes a startling shade if white against its blue color. It preened its glasslike feathers with pride as it noticed their gazes. Todoroki drew his blade and touched the ground with its tip. The bird promptly disappeared, leaving a shower of snowflakes in its wait. "Todoroki?" Ochako was very confused. Master Harry smiled over at her as Todoroki started to chuckle.

Todoroki smiled. "Sorry. That was supposed to be a secret." Ochako turned on him. "What?!" Todoroki fumbled with his scabbard. "I was kinda worried that you guys would want your stories to be kept hidden, but I didn't want the Master to fret over our fate and worry himself sick. Plus, that means more time to rest and recuperate, rather than talk. We're a party. We look out for each other."

The party in question stared at him.

Must protect.

Deku broke the silence by shaking his head at Todoroki. "Why would you be worried? We would have said yes if you'd told us too." Todoroki looked down with a smile. "Sorry." Deku slapped him on the shoulder. "Stop the noble attitude. I heard you and Geralt gargling the peas. Don't think I didn't miss it."

Laughter rung throughout the square. "Well, students. I do believe it's time to return to classes. These four must be exhausted, and we should let them rest." Groans and complaints rang throughout the clearing.

"Aww!"

"I wanted to talk to the new knight!"

"Wait; who's the knight?!"

"The wild wolf boy!"

"WHAT?!"

Master Harry waved his hands. "Come now. Students, back to the classrooms. Girls and boys, line up. Todoroki, come with me, and bring the rest of the party." Todoroki fiercely clapped a mailed fist against his chest in a salute. "Yes, sir." A loud sigh sounded from the line of girls and there was a prompt smack and a "ow!"

Deku puffed his chest proudly as he strode by the students. He was a knight now; no more slouching. Ochako stared at him, trying not to laugh. He looked more like a flustered bird; feather puffed out. However, his body was amply muscled and toned-!

Ochako slapped her wrist. No time for that. She'd already decided to cut off these annoying tingles; it was no matter that they spiked whenever she was around the curly-haired knight. Seeking somewhere else to take her attention, she chose her surroundings.

The castle looked just as majestic as it had before. The flags flapped wildly in the September wind. The walls shone with the sun, glinting off the innumerable windows.

Master Harry stopped in front of the dorms. "I imagine you are all exhausted. I'll give you a couple of days to recuperate. However, the second my hawk flies south, I expect you all here in my quarters." Deku tilted his head in confusion. "When the hawk flies…?" Ochako leaned over and whispered in his ear while Master Harry was still talking to Todoroki. "His hawk, Talon, often flies freely around the grounds. The headmaster doesn't believe in a leash." While Deku nodded in understanding, Master Harry clapped his hands. "Well, then. Rest and recuperate. I hope to see you soon."

Todoroki smiled and bowed. "Thank you, sir." Master Harry nodded and waved as he walked off towards the main building. Deku looked around. Had it really been months since they'd been here? He remembered the other people in the dorm, the classes. They all seemed so plain compared to what happened.

Geralt nosed the saddlebags on Winter's back. There was a instant crow of yapping, and the puppies lept from there long-held cage. Yipping and barking, they each raced to their respective owner. Saiyuri hopped with Ochako towards the girl's dorms as she waved tiredly.

Tensei trotted alongside Iida, and the boy waved also before retreating into the boy's dorms. Todoroki patted Ryuji. "Well, I've gotta get to my quarters. See ya, Deku." Deku waved to them as they left.

He smiled. It had been an adventure, for sure. But not the last. It was merely a break in his newly budding career. He'd become the greatest knight the world had ever seen. Geralt ushered him into the dorm.

Deku pulled himself into the room wearily, setting down all his things. He slumped on the floor, leaning against his bed. Geralt curled up next to him. Slowly he looked around him. He was finally back in his room. It was gentle. The walls were a soft green, the beds comfortable and soft. The fireplace crackled and popped. He lay his head on Geralt's side, feeling his eyes shut.

And he was instantly attacked.

"Duddde!" A palm slapped his back. "You never told me you were going on an epic quest!" Deku looked up to see the same blond boy with the black streak. "Kaminari, right?" Deku grinned. "Sorry. It was a secret I had to keep. How'd everyone learn about it anyway?" Kaminari laughed. "Well, it wasn't too hard to get Master Harry to open up about it. After you were absent for class for a couple of months, he couldn't ignore it. The kids just got rowdier and soldier, asking again and again. So he made a public announcement." Deku sighed and let his sword sit against his bed. "Oof." Kaminari nodded. "Yeah. Even after that, kids would still talk about it. So many rumors popped up. Like if Todoroki was a traitor, or if you'd eloped with Uraraka." Deku sputtered. "What?!" Kaminari laughed. "Relax, dude. It's all good. People know now that that's not true."

A knock on the door stopped the chat. "Hey! Sero, my man!" Kaminari waved. Deku turned to see a large group of boys come into the dorm room. A heavy-set young man, with large lips. A boy, thin and wiry, with a mischievous smile and odd-shaped elbows. A boy with a mess of spiky red hair, and sharp teeth to match. A smiling, blond foreigner, with glittering – just glitter, everywhere. A normal-looking boy appeared too (until Deku noticed a long appendage stretching from behind him). Finally (and most interestingly) a boy with a raven's head. He sat upon his respective bed, peering owlishly at Deku.

Deku suddenly felt very self-conscious.

"Dudes! Introduce yourselves!" Kaminari snapped his fingers at the group. "Exactly like we rehearsed, gentlemen!"

"Heya, Mr. Popular! The name's Sero. I'm seventeen, love healthy stuff, and am super flexible!" Sero shook his hand. Deku nodded, his interest piqued.

The glittery boy smiled and jumped up. "I'm the cream of the crop, mon ami! The piece de resistance! IamAoyama! Seventeen and counting! I also love beautiful things…namely me." Deku shook his hand too (albeit being weirded out).

The heavy boy was next. "Sato. I'm seventeen, too. Love to bake, and I'm a huge sucker for animals." Deku laughed. "Cool."

The kid with red hair sat up. "Dudes. Let the man in!" He jumped up to Deku's side with boisterous cheer. "Wassup, man? I'm sixteen. The name's Kirishima. I'm all into manliness, cool things, and determinacy!" Deku fist bumped him.

Finally, the bird sat up. Deku wasn't sure whether to talk to the raven head or the body at first. However, his question was answered as the head bowed, eyes shutting formally. "Greetings. My name is Tokoyami. I'm sixteen, as well. Fate has decided to bring us together." Deku sweatdropped. All this worry. This guy seemed scary, but he was starting to seem like a relatively normal emo teenager. Kaminari laughed.

"Sorry, Toko. That head of yours has knocked all the sense out of his head."

Tokoyami sighed. "Such is fate."

"Dude. Fate doesn't change other people's perception."

"Fate intertwines within us all. There is surely a connection."

Deku smiled at the newfound friendship that was blossoming. The room was comfortably warm. Casting its spell once more.

"So, what's your wolf's name, again?"

Kaminari looked at Deku. His surprised face morphed into a smile.

Deku was sound asleep, leaning against his bed. His mouth was curved in a gentle smile, and he rested, letting his mind rest in stability and peace at last. Geralt snoozed under him, soft whimpers of satisfaction meshing with the gentle atmosphere.