Disclaimer: I don't own Harry Potter or Prince of Tennis!

...

...

"Hello, Hari," Sirius said smiling softly feeling the nerves and excitement at having her standing right there in front of him. He had finally tracked her down. It had felt like it had taken forever, but it hadn't really taken that long.

Thanks to Ron and Hermione, who told him where to find her. If not for them he would never have thought to look for her in Japan of all places. He'd had no idea that she had any connection to this country. He was still a little confused on just how she came around to have that kind of connection in the first place.

Ron and Hermione hadn't exactly been open about it. They just told him enough and then said it was up to Hari to decide what she wanted to tell him from there. He could understand that and had pushed back the impatience that threatened to overcome him, to demand answers. He couldn't risk it.

"You…" Hari blinked, but while she looked shocked, she wasn't as shocked as he had suspected her to be.

"Hermione told you I was coming?" Sirius asked.

Hari nodded, "yeah… and what were you thinking of going to Ron's place? What if his parents saw you?!"

"You were missing, Hari," Sirius said, giving her a look. "You think I would just ignore that?"

Hari frowned, and he realised that she had expected that… he was such a failure as a godfather.

"But… how can you be here now? The ministry here will find you…" Hari fretted worriedly.

"No, they won't," Sirius said.

"They could detect me when I came into the country," Hari protested. "Sirius, I don't want you to get caught because of me! You can't take that kind of risk!"

"Hey," Sirius said. "You're worth any risk I take, but they won't detect me. I didn't exactly enter the country through normal or legal means, Hari. Don't worry about it."

Hari opened her mouth before she closed it again and looked away. He felt touched that she cared about his safety and that she didn't want him caught; it meant a lot to him. More than she would ever know, probably. But at the same time, it wasn't something she should be worried about, she shouldn't worry about him like this. She was supposed to be expecting him to show up and be a part of her life without her worrying about him getting arrested again.

As for how he came into the country… well, he would not explain it to her. Not yet. But it involved hidden port-keys that were hard to find and used by those who had something to hide and often someone to hide from. He had also jumped around a fair amount of times before landing in Japan, so if someone should try to follow him they wouldn't find him.

And Remus said he never thought ahead…

"And how did you find me here?" Hari asked, looking back at him. She worried her lip as she waited for him to say something.

He wished she would show some emotion on her face, that she would smile or hug him or something. Instead, she was watching him with a guarded look and almost fearful. It hurt.

"I went to your house in Tokyo," Sirius said. "Ron and Hermione told me where it was, and I saw a couple there. The man was complaining to his wife that you and, um, Ryoma was it? wasn't there to play tennis with him. They mentioned this place."

It had upset him she hadn't been there when he had arrived. He had pictured how he would get her on her own and how she would greet him, how he would finally know she was safe again and talk to her.

Instead, he had been forced to travel even longer. By the time he found her (it was harder than it looked), she had been in the middle of a run with a bunch of boys. It had taken everything in him not to burst through the bushes and over to her right then and there, but he knew he had to wait.

He hated waiting. Azkaban hadn't cured him of his impatience when he really wanted something.

"I came earlier," Sirius continued. "But you were in the middle of training or something in the woods. I thought I should wait until evening, until I found you, and well… I fell asleep behind those trees and when I woke up, I heard the crash and then that man came at you. So, I reacted and well, you know the rest."

Hari blinked before she nodded slowly. She bit her lip and looked at him again and he saw the searching look in her green eyes, so much like Lily's… he hadn't really noticed that last time. Well, he had, but he hadn't really taken the time to allow himself to take in how much she looked like both Lily and James. It was a nagging feeling of hurt and joy deep inside of him, seeing his dead friends in this girl. Their girl.

...

Hari looked at him. It sounded like he was telling the truth and she didn't think that he would be lying. What was the point? If he hadn't meant it, then he wouldn't have come and found her. Right?

He shifted on his feet and she thought he almost looked uncertain. Unlike how she'd seen him before. He always seemed like he knew what he wanted or how to get it. Confident.

"So… do you want me to leave?" he asked.

The question took her by surprise. She hadn't expected him to ask that. She blinked and focused back on him. Did she want him to leave?

"No," she said, and he smiled, looking relieved. "I just… sorry, I didn't…"

He nodded like he understood. Maybe he did.

"Good," he said, a smile stretching on his face. "So, can I ask for a hug?"

She smiled a little and nodded before she stepped closer to him and suddenly she was tucked into his arms tightly and she took in the scent of nature and of dog (obviously). He shook lightly, and she wondered if he was crying, but she pushed the thought away before she said anything. She just hugged him back, wondering how safe he felt despite her not knowing him. She didn't know him, not really. When she thought about it, she had only spent a few hours with him and the only thing connected him to her was his bond to her parents.

Maybe he really wants more of a connection with you, Hari thought to herself.

"Remus is worried about you, too, Hari," Sirius said when he pulled back.

She frowned faintly but nodded, "I see."

Sirius didn't press it, deciding that he would bring up Remus again later. He looked back toward the lodge that was barely visible through the trees.

"Training camp, huh?" he said, and she blinked at him.

"Oh, um, yeah," Hari nodded. "We're facing a very strong team in the finals of a tournament in a few days. So it's important that we grow stronger fast."

Sirius nodded, "never heard of tennis before, though. Football, I've heard of, but not tennis."

"Tennis is great," Hari told her face lightening up and a real smile breaking free as she looked at him and he smiled back.

"Better than Quidditch?" he asked.

Hari hummed in thought before she nodded, "yeah, I like it better than Quidditch."

"Well, you must tell me more about it, then," Sirius said.

Hari nodded slowly, almost a little uncertainly.

...

"Hari?! Where did you go?!" Ryoma's voice suddenly sounded and Hari looked to the side toward the lodge and then back at Sirius.

"I have to go back…" she said, looking a little conflicted.

"I know," Sirius said. "We'll have time to talk more soon, okay?"

"Okay," Hari nodded. "Um… where will you be?"

Sirius smirked, "I'll stay with you as Padfoot. Just call me Snuffles, okay?"

Hari snorted lightly but nodded and watched as Sirius turned back to his dog form. He barked, and she nodded, bringing herself out of her thoughts, and made her way back through the trees.

"Hari?!" Ryoma sounded a little worried.

"Here," Hari called out and stepped out from the trees with Sirius close beside her.

"Where did you go? Seriously," Ryoma glared at her. "I think I need to keep a leash on you or something to stop you from wandering off."

Hari snorted and glared at him, "it wasn't me that got lost yesterday with Yamato-san and worried everyone because he didn't call out for help, Ryo-chan. Besides, I just needed a minute to calm down."

Ryoma looked at her, "you okay?"

"Sure," she nodded.

His eyes fell on the dog and frowned, "what's he doing here?"

"Who knows," Hari shrugged, "I think he's taken a liking to me."

Ryoma blinked as Sirius barked and nudged Hari's hand with his nose. She reached out and patted his head (feeling a little strange knowing that this was her godfather).

"Huh," Ryoma said. "I don't know how Oyaji will take it if you come home with a dog, Hari."

Hari smiled, "probably thinks it's a good idea for me to have a watchdog."

Ryoma laughed and nodded before he turned and walked back with her. They chatted a little as they walked, and Hari saw Sirius look closely at Ryoma. She realised that she hadn't introduced Sirius to Ryoma (even though he was in his dog form). Did he know who he was to her? Did he know they adopted her?

Why hadn't she thought to ask Hermione what they had told Sirius about that… She sighed and promised herself that she would find an opportunity to really talk with Sirius soon.

And she probably should tell Ryoma that the dog wasn't really a dog.

Well, later.

...

"I want you to keep from playing until a doctor has looked at your shoulder and said it's okay for you to play," Ryuzaki told Hari when she had finished her breakfast and was about to join the others. Hari scowled. "I know, Hari-chan, but I don't want to take any chances on your shoulder. It looks much better now, and I have arranged for you to go into town later today to get a doctor to take a look at it. If he says it's fine then you can join in fully at the afternoon practice, okay?"

"So, what am I supposed to be doing while they are busy with the biathlon you have arranged," Hari asked a little sullenly. She couldn't help the disappointment she felt at not being able to fully join in.

"I thought you might join me," Ryuzaki said. "I could use your help with something."

Hari blinked.

"Eh? With what?" Hari asked.

"Well, you see," Ryuzaki started and Hari listened with wide eyes before she smiled. So that was her plan, Hari thought.

"Well, I guess I could," Hari said when Ryuzaki finished. "I see no reason why not, but he might not decide to come."

"If you ask, then I'm sure he will," Ryuzaki said.

"So using me for our teams good, eh?" Hari arched a brow.

"Just taking advantage where we can," Ryuzaki said. "It's only if you are comfortable with it, Hari-chan. If you don't want to, then we will find another way or I'll ask without you."

"Don't worry about it," Hari waved it off. "I have no trouble doing this. Besides, he will probably just whine if I'm this close and don't come over to visit."

Ryuzaki looked at her for a moment before she smiled.

"Good," she said. "We'll leave soon, then."

...

"You've gotten a shadow," Fuji commented when she stepped outside to where the others had gathered.

Hari looked down at Sirius, who eyed Fuji with sharp grey eyes, but Fuji just smiled like normal.

"Seems like it," Hari shrugged. "Who knows how long he'll stick around."

"He can be our mascot!" Kikumaru declared, bouncing over and attaching himself around her neck like always hugging her. Sirius growled lightly.

"Still need air, senpai," Hari pushed at him.

"And her boyfriend might take offence to you always hugging her, you know," Fuji smiled.

Kikumaru pouted, "Hari-chan is our friend, and he will have to deal with that."

Hari ignored low growl that escaped at the word boyfriend from Sirius and wondered if Fuji always tried to create drama around him just to make things interesting. She sighed. He didn't even know he did it…

"He doesn't seem to really like anyone but Hari-chan," Momoshiro said looking at the dog. "He growls when we come near her."

Hari scowled down at Sirius. He just looked back at her innocently.

"He'll deal," Hari said shrugging, "though, I don't know how much use he'll be as a mascot."

"It would be great," Kikumaru said. "I've seen it in movies. Teams have mascots, and they get dressed up in their teams' colours! We could get a Seigaku jersey for dogs!"

Hari felt her lips twitch and glanced down at Sirius, who had an interesting expression of horror on his face even as a dog.

"Maybe we could make it pink," Hari suggested.

Sirius whined.

"Poor dog," Ryoma said coming up to them and eyed the dog. "You will make him leave you, Hari."

"Meany," Hari stuck out her tongue at her brother.

"What should we call him?" Oishi asked. "I mean we're just calling him the dog"

"He should have a proper name," Kawamura agreed.

Hari was amused as the others seemed to gain a new interest in Sirius, who suddenly found himself surrounded by the boys in her team. He eyed them but didn't shy away and did nothing other than growl softly. But those were easily ignored now.

"Well, I call him Snuffles," Hari shrugged.

"Snuffles?" Ryoma repeated. "Why?"

"Why not?" she asked. "He seems like Snuffles to me."

"Strange name," Inui noted.

Hari just shrugged again. She couldn't really say that it was what he had told her to call him, now could she?

...

"Ready to go?" Ryuzaki asked when she had gotten the team started on the biathlon and watched as they did. Hari, who stood back with a hand resting on Sirius' head, nodded and smiled slightly. "Good."

Shiba was staying back to observe the team practice the best way she could so she could report back to Inoue, who was waiting impatiently on a new report on Seigaku's progress. From what Hari could understand, Inoue had been watching Rikkai Dai and was impressed by their strength.

She wasn't surprised by that.

"I know it's difficult to be patient like this, Hari-chan;" Ryuzaki broke the silence after they had been driving for five minutes.

"I guess," Hari said looking out of the window and the passing trees. Sirius was in the back, having jumped in before Ryuzaki could say anything. Ryuzaki had given him a look before she sighed and let it go.

"You are looking forward to the match, though?" Ryuzaki asked.

"Yes, of course," Hari said, looking over at her.

"It's a strange match for you, though," Ryuzaki said. "With it being his team, I mean."

"Well, Sei-chan isn't playing because of his injury," Hari frowned. "But he will train them, so they will be strong because of it. But we both know that we're on the opposing team and have always known that."

Ryuzaki glanced over at her and smiled slightly, "so you can deal with it either way, how the match goes?"

"Eh?" Hari asked.

"I mean if his team wins," Ryuzaki said. "Will you be able to deal with that? You've seen how bitter Fudomine got when they lost."

"They got bitter because they blame Kirihara-san for their Captain being injured," Hari said with a small frown.

"Well, you've reacted to someone hurts Ryoma-kun," Ryuzaki said.

Hari frowned, "Yeah, but I have managed to let it go… well, mostly."

Ryuzaki huffed a laugh, "well, my point is that matches can provoke emotions and can be a lot to deal with without being close to someone on the other team."

Hari furrowed her brows as she thought about what Ryuzaki was saying. Would the match get between her and Seiichi? She hadn't really thought about that before. She didn't like it.

Ryuzaki noted that she had made the young girl think and focused back on the road in front of them. They were getting closer to their goal.

"Don't fret too much about it, Hari-chan," Ryuzaki said after a while. "I just wanted to make you aware of it, that way it can prepare you both. I'm not saying that you will have any problems."

Hari nodded, "I know. I'll talk with him, but I don't think it will be any trouble."

Ryuzaki nodded. "Well, looks like we're here."

Hari blinked and realised that they had just pulled up in front of what could only be called a mansion. She looked around curiously, taking in the tennis courts they had driven past without her really noticing.

"I bet he calls this a cottage," Hari muttered.

"He does," Ryuzaki said, making Hari snort.

...

A butler opened the door and Hari could see two maids behind him.

"We have been expecting you," the butler said.

Hari followed Ryuzaki up the stairs and into the mansion and further into the building as the butler kept walking. Sirius was right beside her and she saw the butler look at him but didn't tell her to leave him outside.

As they grew closer to a room, she could hear soft sounds coming from it.

"Master Keigo," the butler said as he stepped into the room. "Your guests are here."

"So, they've arrived," Keigo said.

Hari then stepped up in front of the room and looked in to see Keigo and his team sitting around a long table clearly in the middle of a meal. A rather fancy meal, if Hari could tell.

"Hey, Keigo," Hari said, waving.

He blinked and glanced toward her. "Hari-chan, I didn't think you would come."

He got up, and she skipped over to him and hugged him, making him still in a moment of surprise before he hugged her back.

"Ah, it's you," Mukahi muttered.

Hari, who had pulled back from Keigo by now, turned and eyed Mukahi before rolling her eyes and looking back at Keigo.

"Heard you were up here training," Hari said.

"Of course," Keigo said, puffing out slightly. "We will grow stronger."

Hari nodded, "good. So are we."

"Ready for your match against Rikkai Dai, Hari-chan?" Otori asked kindly.

"We're getting there," Hari said, smiling at the kind boy. "The others are training hard."

"You're not?" Shishido asked.

"I do what I can," Hari said and turned a dark look toward Ryuzaki who was watching them quietly, "but someone has told me not to play yet…"

"Don't look at me like that, Hari-chan," Ryuzaki said.

"You okay?" Keigo asked.

"Sure," Hari said. "Just a light shoulder injury from my last match, but I'm pretty much healed now."

"Good," Keigo nodded.

"So, we're here to ask you if you want to come and train with us," Hari said as she slipped into the chair Keigo had left and picked up some of his food. He arched a brow at her and she grinned as she took a bite.

"That's my food," he said.

"I'm hungry," Hari smiled innocently. "Besides, shouldn't you share?"

Keigo snorted, "whatever. So training?"

Ryuzaki shook her head, wondering how Hari seemed to fit so easily in with yet another team. She had something that made others latch on to her and open up.

"We need someone to play practice matches against," Ryuzaki said. "I would like you to come and play against us."

"Hmm," Keigo looked at Hari, who smiled at him.

"Sounds interesting," Shishido said.

"Yeah," Oshitari said.

"Annoying more like it," Mukahi muttered. "We aren't here to help Seigaku."

"You don't have to play," Hari told him. "The others are more than enough."

Mukahi glared at her, and she glared right back. She was tired of his attitude and didn't really like him, but he was a part of Keigo's team. Unfortunately.

"I don't see a problem with that," Keigo said. "Later today?"

Ryuzaki nodded.

"Okay," she agreed.

...

"So, who was that?" Sirius asked when they were alone again. They had arrived back at the lodge and Hari had gone for a run while Ryuzaki had joined the others for more training.

"Atobe Keigo," Hari said, glancing over at Sirius, who blinked.

"Eh?" Sirius asked. "That was…"

"Mum's godson," Hari said.

Sirius stared at her, "so you met him."

"And his parents," Hari said, looking away from Sirius.

"Oh," Sirius frowned. "You didn't know about them?"

Hari turned toward him now and frowned, "of course I didn't. No one ever tells me anything about mum and dad or their lives. I have no idea what they did or who they really were!"

Sirius flinched slightly, and his frown deepened. "I… I'm sorry."

Hari scoffed and kicked a rock, watching it as it flew forward, skipping the dirt path. She felt frustrated.

"I don't like it," she whispered almost inaudible. "I never knew anything… everyone seems to know more about them than me. Even Hermione knew more about my parents than I did when I first met her."

"Hari," Sirius said.

"I didn't know dad played Quidditch, and that was why everyone expected me to be great at it," Hari continued like Sirius had said nothing. "I didn't know who his friends were, I didn't know who mum's friends were… I still don't really know that. I never know anything, and everyone expects me to be like them or to be this or that! I'm tired of it!"

Sirius stepped closer to her, but she backed away. She didn't want his comfort, or empty words. Not now. She turned away and fisted her hands, feeling her nails dig into her palm.

"Hari," he said. "I… I never knew…"

"Maybe," Hari said. "Still doesn't change anything."

He said nothing, and she had a feeling he was at a loss and was looking for words. She inhaled, trying to calm down. She hadn't meant to explode like that. She shouldn't take all her frustration out on him. It wasn't fair. But… but!

"Sorry," she finally said.

"You don't have to apologize, Hari," Sirius said, sounding pained.

"Perhaps," Hari said. "I need to get back to my run or Ryuzaki-sensei will wonder."

Sirius nodded and shifted back into Snuffles.

...

The doctor had cleared her to train properly again and Hari cheered out loud, making Ryuzaki smiled amused along with the kind white-haired doctor.

"Finally," Hari said when they stepped out of the small office in the little town. "I can't wait until Keigo and the others arrive!"

"Good, Hari-chan;" Ryuzaki said. "You will be ready for the final as well, then."

"Of course!" Hari grinned. "I can't wait until I tell Sei-chan about it!"

She skipped toward the bus and missed the fond look from her coach. Hari felt better now and was already pulling out her phone before she put it back, remembering that she wouldn't be alone seeing as Ryuzaki was driving and Sirius was resting in the bus having waited for her there.

"Seems like he really has taken a liking to you," Ryuzaki commented when Sirius barked in greeting.

"Mm," Hari nodded.

They didn't talk much on the way back. Hari stepped out of the bus only to be ambushed by the others who had waited outside for her to get back.

"Hari-chan!"

"You're back!"

"Finally! You're slow!"

"How did it go?"

"Did the doctor say you can play again?"

The string of questions and greetings made her smile as she looked around and saw everyone there.

"I'm good," she smiled, "I'll be able to play now."

They cheered and Kikumaru hugged her while Momoshiro ruffled her hair, making her glare at him, but her lips twitched all the same. Inui was writing in his book again and muttering something about having to get new data.

Sirius was staying back, watching as Hari was talking with her friends. He had not seen her with such a relaxed and open expression on her face back at Hogwarts. He had spent a lot of time watching her as he had hidden in the shadows. She had always seemed a little tense, on edge, and only with Ron and Hermione would she seem relaxed. But not like this.

He noticed Ryoma staying close to her and knew she lived with him. He had yet to get her explanation about that, and he promised himself that he would get it soon.

...

"What's wrong with you?" Ryoma asked when he stepped up beside her noticing that she had fallen quiet again. They were outside waiting for something, Ryoma wasn't sure what.

"Nothing," Hari said.

"You've been quiet," Ryoma pressed. "Not taking part in the conversation or the teasing of Momo-chan who has a new girlfriend."

Hari glanced over at Momoshiro, who was blushing as Kikumaru and Fuji teased him about An. He looked rather pleased, though. She shrugged. She didn't feel like teasing him about it; she was feeling sad that An hadn't called her to tell her about their new relationship. It stung.

"Don't feel like it," Hari said. "Sorry, Ryo-chan. I just… I have a lot on my mind."

Ryoma frowned worriedly. "Don't keep it to yourself for too long, okay? Talk to me soon?"

Hari smiled slightly and nodded, "okay."

She looked around and her eyes fell on Sirius (as Padfoot) resting by her feet. He was watching her friends and she could tell he was curious about them. His eyes lingered on each one, and she wondered what he was thinking. She sighed softly. This was getting complicated.

She really needed to tell Ryoma about Sirius, and she needed to tell Sirius about Ryoma and his parents… oh, and Ryoga. What would he say when he learned that she had been adopted? Would he think she was betraying her parents? Would he be disappointed in her? Angry?

Also, since she had allowed her frustration to slip through, she had felt Sirius watch her even more closely. She hadn't thought it was possible, but it somehow was. She hadn't meant to lose control of her emotions like that. So weak…

She sighed.

Yoshida walked up beside her and smiled, making Hari look at her before she smiled slightly in greeting.

"Have you talked with Yukimura-san since we came here?" Yoshida asked.

"Not really," Hari said. "I think I'll call him later today."

Yoshida nodded, "what do you do with him? Do you talk tennis a lot?"

Hari blinked, "well, not really. I don't really talk that much tennis with him since he's injured and can't play yet. It hurts him, so I don't push it. But we talk about gardening and flowers and art. He knows a lot about that."

"Do you like that?" Yoshida asked.

Hari nodded, "more than I thought. Besides, he likes it. It's fascinating to see his passion for it and learn more, he's good at explaining things."

Yoshida nodded, "so, for you listening to what he likes and finding it interesting is a sign that you like him?"

Hari blinked and looked at her. She saw the small blush in her cheeks and notes how she avoided meeting her eyes.

"I guess," Hari said. "Why?"

"Nothing," Yoshida blurted. "Just wondering."

Hari eyed her for a moment longer before she shrugged and let it go. It wasn't her business and if Yoshida wasn't ready to tell her, she wouldn't push.

...

Hari rolled her eyes when Keigo and his team arrived. Rather dramatically, with the bus pulling up in front between the lodge and the tennis courts where Hari and the others were waiting. She was looking forward to playing tennis again and longed for it, so just waiting for Hyotei to show up felt like it took forever.

"Agh," Mukahi muttered, looking around. "I can't believe that you stay here."

"Eh? Hyotei?" Momoshiro blinked. "What are they doing here?"

"They're here to help us train," Hari said, waving at Keigo.

Keigo looked around, and she saw the unimpressed look on his face. She sighed. This wasn't really up to the standard that Keigo could offer at his place, but she liked this. It was rustic and nice, not over the top. It fitted for a group of kids. And they were, after all, just a group of kids.

"Well, since you've been fooling around since Tezuka left," Keigo spoke up, "I couldn't ignore it when Hari-chan needed help from someone reliable."

"What?!" Momoshiro cried and Ryoma glared.

"Momo!" Ryuzaki warned while Hari sighed.

"On top of that, this is such a run-down building;" Oshitari commented, eying the lodge with critical eyes and walked over to one window and poked at it.

"Oi, oi, don't break it, Yuushi," Mukahi called.

Hari heard the mutterings from her own team and saw the annoyed looks they sent the Hyotei players. She sighed again, feeling that this would be a long afternoon… maybe it wasn't such a good idea to have them join their training camp.

Just then a frog jumped out of a nearby bush and toward the Hyotei players who all showed a sign of discomfort or right out jumped away.

Hari snorted amused and shook her head.

"I can't believe you train like this," Oshitari commented but there was a note of respect in his voice now.

"It's only frogs," Hari said walking over to them and looked at the frog that had landed on Otori's head, he had sat down and looked a little pale. She reached out and grabbed it gently for him and placed it down on the ground again. "They won't hurt you."

"Thanks, Hari-chan;" Otori said shyly.

"No problem;" Hari said, reaching out and helping him back on his feet.

Oishi took over talking and went over the rules. They were simple. They would play two singles matches at the same time, there would be no tie-breaks so if the match ended 6-6 they would rule it a tie, and Hyotei would always serve first.

...

"Here, Hari-chan," Keigo said leading her to a chair that was set up next to a small table underneath a parasol. There was another chair there as well, probably for him. She eyed him.

"You know that I intend to play, right?" she asked.

"Of course," he smiled. "This is just for us to wait until it is our turn."

Hari looked at him and wondered if arguing with him about this was worth it or not. She rolled her eyes and sat down. She was tired, and she really didn't want to argue, not now.

"You know," Keigo spoke up louder, so they heard him, "if you lose to us here then you will not win against Rikkai Dai. I will stay back and observe for a while."

Hari hummed in thought. She could kind of see his point, but she saw that the others (Momoshiro especially) got annoyed by his words. Probably his attitude, Hari amended in her mind.

"You're showing off," Hari told him quietly.

"No, just making a point," Keigo said. "And… what's with the dog?"

He glanced down at Sirius, who was looking back at him. Hari smiled slightly.

"He showed up here and haven't left me since," Hari shrugged. "Don't know what to do with him yet."

"Huh," Keigo said. "Well, he seems friendly."

"He is when he likes you," Hari said mysteriously but said nothing else about it and Sirius barked and smirked at Keigo who blinked (could a dog smirk?).

"We're going to pull one of these sticks and the name of our opponent will be on it," Oishi said holding out a cup filled with what looked like small wooden sticks. Hari got up from her seat and walked over so she could join them.

"Kabaji," Kikumaru said, having been the first to draw, and Hari arched a brow. Well, that was interesting… Kabaji would be a difficult match for Kikumaru.

Inui was next, and he drew Hiyoshi Wakashi, a second year.

...

Hari could tell that her friends had grown a lot in the few days they had been up here for the training camp. She felt a little at a loss because she was sure she hadn't really grown. She hadn't been able to play at all until now, she hadn't... Her hands fisted as she watched Kikumaru play against Kabaji.

She was unaware of the conversation going on around her as she stared at Kikumaru who was doing his best to counter Kabaji's copying power. Kabaji surprised them all because he could copy Kikumaru's acrobatics, something that by the look of him shouldn't have been possible. It only proved the fact that you shouldn't judge a book by its cover.

And she had just been running and doing light exercises that would do nothing for her tennis techniques… what had she been doing with the time left before their match?

In the end, Kikumaru won because his stamina had gotten better and his acrobatic had developed, even more, making him faster and more flexible. The proof that his training had benefited. In only a few days…

Hari stood up and ignored the look Keigo gave her as she muttered something about the bathroom. She walked away, trying to calm her thoughts. She didn't want to feel jealous of her friends, to feel like they always took new steps farther away from her.

"I'm being stupid," she muttered to herself. "Stop thinking like that."

She leaned against the sink in the kitchen.

"You okay?" Yoshida asked, and Hari jumped before turning around to look at Yoshida. She hadn't realised that she had been followed.

"Yeah," Hari said, trying to smile.

"You seemed upset," Yoshida pressed unsurely.

Hari sighed and looked away and finished washing her hands and drying them.

"No, just frustrated," Hari admitted.

Yoshida nodded slowly, "you're strong, you know."

Hari blinked and saw Yoshida smile at her. "Even if you have not been playing tennis, it doesn't mean that you haven't worked hard since we got here, Hari-chan."

Hari stared at the other girl for a moment, not sure what to say, but her words filtered through and Hari could feel a small smile stretch on her face.

"Thanks, Yoshida-san," Hari said. "I needed to hear that."

...

When she got back to the court Inui was done with his match as well (he won) and Oishi and Haginosuke Taki was playing on one court while Fuji was playing Oshitari on the other. It looked like they both worked hard, Oishi was looking a little beat up (she wasn't sure how he come to look like that) but determined and refusing to step back and give up.

"Hm, interesting," Keigo smirked from his seat. "Fuji and Yuushi is both considered prodigies in their own rights and are rather similar. We couldn't have asked for a better practice match."

Hari looked at him and hummed, "oh? That's good."

He looked at her and smiled. "You good?"

She nodded, not bothering to wonder if he had noticed her mood. He probably had. He was pretty observant when he wanted to.

Oishi ended up stopping his match before the end confusing the first years. Hari smiled, though. Oishi had grown too. He knew where the limit was and when not to push it. It was after all only a practice match.

"Shishido Ryo," Hari said, reading the name on the stick she drew.

"Interesting," Shishido grinned looking at her. "I've been wanting to play you."

Hari smiled back, "same."

She saw Kawamura and Otori getting ready on the other court.

...

Hari knew Shishido was strong. The look in his eyes was always so focused and she doubted that he thought about much beside tennis and how to grow stronger. It was just something about him that screamed it and she felt it as she played him.

He was fast too, and she really had to work to keep up with him. Luckily, she was fast as well. She wiped her brow with the back of her hand as she looked over at Shishido, who was breathing harder and frowning.

They had each won two matches each, so the score was 4-4 (obviously). Shishido was strong… He rarely made any mistakes and always seemed to be there when she returned a ball.

"You're good!" He called out.

"So are you," she answered.

He smiled and raised his racket again to serve.

...

In the end, she lost by one match, but she wasn't too upset. She had expected to feel worse, but she knew she had done her best and that she had actually grown since last time.

"Good game," Shishido said, reaching out to shake her hand.

She accepted the hand and smiled tiredly at him, "thanks, same to you. You're really strong."

"I could say the same about you," Shishido said. "I thought I would lose at the end there."

Hari smiled slightly, "I need to work more on my stamina, I think."

"That's not your problem," Shishido said. "You have great stamina, but you just miscalculated how much you used and when you used it. Also, I know you held back. Your shoulder, right?"

Hari frowned and nodded, "I guess. I just got the all clear to play again today, so I didn't want to push it too much."

Shishido nodded as he wiped the dirt off his face (only making it more smudged out, though) with the back of his hand.

"Thought so," Shishido said. "That's logical, I suppose. Next time we play we'll be even more evenly matched!"

He grinned at her and she smiled back just as Ryoma and Keigo both entered the court and Hari blinked, looking between them.

"Oh, great," she deadpanned. "You two?"

"I'll take it easy on him," Keigo smirked.

"Pfft," Ryoma snorted.

Hari sighed, "just… don't kill each other, okay?"

...

Hari sat down and smiled in thanks when Sakuno came with some water and a towel for her. She took a deep sip of the water as she looked back at the court where Ryoma and Keigo were facing each other now.

This would be interesting. She wondered who would win. She liked to think Ryoma would be the winner, but she knew that Keigo was strong and highly motivated for this match, even if it was only a practice match.

"I wonder," she murmured.

"Hari-chan?" Kawamura asked kindly, having just been about to walk by her having finished his own match against Otori.

"Sorry, senpai," Hari smiled at him. "Just thinking."

He smiled and nodded. "Okay."

...

It ended in a tie. Hari looked pensively over at Keigo, who had surprised her slightly. He had by the looks of it tested Ryoma for something. He had pushed him; she had heard the others talk around her, but she hadn't joined in on the discussion. While he had used his move Rondo Toward Destruction that he had used against Tezuka, and Hari had worried that he really was out to hurt Ryoma, he hadn't. She realised that he was pushing Ryoma in order to see just what kind of potential Ryoma had.

Hari smiled slightly as she got up from her seat and walked over to where Keigo was standing breathing harder than normal.

"Good game," she said when she reached him.

He looked up at her and smirked lazily. "You seem surprised."

"Well, I thought you would push harder," Hari shrugged. "But you didn't."

"I'm not trying to hurt your brother, Hari-chan;" Keigo said, and she blinked at the slight hurt she picked up in his tone. He had a strange expression on his face, almost as if he felt guilty.

"I know that," Hari said looking at him. "Thank you."

His expression lightened slightly and nodded. "He has potential."

Hari smiled proudly and nodded. "Yeah."

"So proud," he commented. "I think I have seen some of what you see in him, though."

Hari grinned and nudged his shoulder, "did it hurt?"

"Haha," he said with a mock glare.

Hari walked over to Ryoma then and saw the pensive look on his face as he stared at his racket. She sat down beside him.

"How are you?" she asked.

"Good," Ryoma said. "I think I have an idea for a new move."

"Oh?" Hari arched a brow.

"Yeah… will you help me?" he asked looking at her.

"Of course," Hari said. "After dinner?"

He nodded, "I don't have much time before I have to have it ready. I need it if I'm going to beat Sanada."

"You're so sure you'll face him?" Hari asked. "Ryuzaki-sensei hasn't told us who we're going to play yet."

Ryoma shrugged, "I'm betting on it."

Hari nodded slowly, "well, I think it will be either you or Fuji that will face Sanada, but most likely you."

Ryoma nodded. "I know. You don't think you'll be the one?"

"No," Hari snorted, "I would lose."

Ryoma glanced at her, "I'm not so sure."

"Well, I am," Hari said. "I know Sanada is better than me."

"Who do you hope to play then?" Ryoma asked.

Hari hummed in thought for a moment. "Well, I don't know. Maybe a double match, but…"

She had been playing a lot of doubles matches, and she liked it. She hoped she ended up in a single match instead, though. She missed that and wanted to test herself more, especially against Seiichi's team.

...

Hari called Seiichi while the others got ready for bed and she had the room she shared with Sakuno, Tomoka and Yoshida to herself. She knew she wouldn't have too much time, but it should be enough to get a small chat with Seiichi in.

"Hello," Seiichi's warm voice greeted her, and she smiled even without realising it.

"Hey, Sei-chan," she said.

"Hari-chan," he said. "I'm glad you called."

"Are you okay?" Hari asked.

"Of course," he said. "You?"

"Yeah, just got the all-clear from the doctor that I can practice normally now," Hari said.

"That's good," Seiichi said. "That means that there's a bigger chance you'll play in one match, right?"

"Trying to get information on us, Sei-chan?" Hari teased.

"I must do what I have to," Seiichi said, and she heard the smile in his voice. "But no, that was not my intention."

"I know," Hari said. "How's Hana-chan doing?"

"Pouting," Seiichi said. "But she's fine. She's been talking about your owl a lot."

"Hedwig?" Hari blinked, surprised. "I didn't realise she liked her that much."

"Oh, she did," Seiichi said. "She wants one now."

Hari laughed as she settled more against the edge of the large window/door and looked out onto the garden as their conversation continued. They had talked for ten minutes when the door to the room opened and Sakuno and Tomoka came inside laughing.

"Ah, sorry…" Sakuno apologised when she saw Hari talking on the phone. Hari waved it off.

"I got to go, Sei-chan," Hari said. "Seems like my roommates are back."

"All right," Seiichi said. "We'll see each other in a few days, Hari-chan. Take care, okay? And try not to run into any more bears or men who pretend to be animals, okay?"

"I'll do my best," Hari said, amused, thinking about Sirius. Would he classify as a man pretending to be an animal or an actual animal? Huh, who knows?

...

Hari had stepped outside for some fresh air and looked up at the stars. It was late; she guessed the others were asleep by now. She wished she could sleep but her mind wouldn't shut down so she had given up and decided to get some air.

"You should get some sleep," Sirius said.

Hari glanced over at her godfather, who had come up beside her. She wasn't that surprised, actually, she thought she had expected him to join her.

"Couldn't sleep," Hari said, looking back at the stars above them.

He sat down and leaned back so he could look at the stars as well. They didn't say anything for a while and Hari kind of enjoyed it. She knew he had questions; he had after all been around her all day and had picked up on things.

"Ask," she finally said.

"Who is Ryoma?" Sirius asked.

He didn't miss the soft smile on her face as she heard the name.

"My little brother," Hari said.

Sirius frowned, "your brother?"

Hari nodded and glanced over at him with a cross between nervous and defiant expression on her face. Sirius watched her closely.

"He is," she said. "He's my first friend. I met him when I was around 8 years old."

"Where?" Sirius asked.

"Back in Surrey," Hari said, looking back at the stars. "He was there for a tennis tournament one summer with his parents. I met him playing tennis, and he invited me to join him. He taught me how to play."

Sirius nodded slowly, "I see. But he didn't stay in Surrey, did he?"

"No," Hari shook her head. "They lived in the US back then and they went back there when the summer was over."

"You kept in touch?" Sirius asked.

Hari scowled, "no."

"But…"

"Or he tried to, but Dumbledore had told aunt Petunia to stop his letters," Hari said bitterly.

Sirius blinked and focused on Hari. That was not what he had expected to hear and the bitterness in her voice was clear and told him just how much that hurt her. He felt a rush of anger go through him.

"What?" he asked.

"He told aunt Petunia to stop the letters," Hari repeated. "I never knew Ryo-chan tried to write to me or that he remembered me at all. I thought he had forgotten me and that he hadn't intended to keep his word to write. It wasn't until I got back to Privet Drive after being suspended that I saw one letter by accident. I confronted aunt Petunia then, and she told me."

Sirius stared at her.

"Dumbledore really did that?"

Hari glared at him, "you don't believe me? You think I make it up?!"

Sirius held up his hand and shook his head, "no, that wasn't what I was thinking at all, Hari. I'm just trying to understand. Why would he do that?"

Hari snorted angrily, and he noticed that she fisted her hands, "because he can't control me if I have other influences that than those he decides I need. If I have someone outside of that school or even the country then I wouldn't do what he wanted me too without complaint. Who knows?"

Sirius frowned. He didn't want to think Dumbledore would do that; he didn't want to believe it. But just looking at Hari he could tell that she believed that, and that was what mattered at the moment. Dumbledore had really broken that girl's trust in him by keeping her friend from her. It didn't really matter what Dumbledore's intentions had been or why he had done it, because Hari believed that he was stopping her from having contact with someone precious to her and controlling her.

"I understand why you are angry," Sirius said, and she glanced at him. She arched a brow and he could see the anger in her eyes.

"Angry? I'm more than angry, Sirius," she said. "He… he knew how aunt Petunia and uncle Vernon treated me and did nothing about it. If he knew about Ryo-chan and his parents, then he must have looked in on me from time to time without telling me. Without letting me know that my parents loved me, that they wanted me when everything I ever heard was that I was a burden and that they have left me on the streets."

"He knew about Ryoma?" Sirius frowned even as anger burst through him.

"Well, maybe not the name," Hari said. "I don't know, but at least that I had made a friend and that he was writing. I'm not sure he would have thought it likely that I kept remembering him or that he wouldn't give up writing even years after he started and failed to get in touch."

Sirius nodded slowly and promised himself that he would think more about that later, but now wasn't the time to consider if Dumbledore knew more about Ryoma than they thought or not. He was also thinking about what she had let slip about her aunt and uncle and anger rushed him again. He wasn't sure she really realised what she had let slip, but it was more than enough to tell him that they had not treated her right in that house.

How dare they?

How dared they mistreat Hari? James and Lily's little girl? How dare they?!

Hari sighed and stood up and he blinked, realising that he had slipped into darker thoughts about going back to England and finding a certain couple and make them regret ever mistreating his goddaughter.

"I should try to get some more sleep," she said tiredly. "I'll tell you more about Ryo-chan and… well, more about them tomorrow, okay?"

Sirius nodded, and she smiled slightly, but he saw the flow of emotions in her eyes and knew she was overwhelmed.

"Try to forget about this, for now, Hari," he said getting up as well and put a hand on her shoulder. "I know it's hard."

She nodded. "Night."

"Good night," Sirius said.

Hari walked back inside, knowing that she should have told him that she had been adopted and that she was not a Potter anymore. But… the words hadn't come to her, and she postponed it. Again. What a mess.

...

...

AN: What do you think? XD More of Sirius in this one and it will be more in later chapters too. Do you want him to stick around or do you think he would be travelling and check in on Hari from time to time like that? I'm considering some options for how I want him in the story fro now on. I'm curious to hear what you guys think. :)

Hope you liked the chapter! The match against Rikkai Dai should be happening in the next chapter or at least start...so, not long until we find out how that turns out. ;)

Hope you're all safe and thank you for your reading and supporting the story! XD