The following morning marked ten days until the first trial. Katsuki would be armed with his wand to tackle something designed to test his daring. Courage in the face of the unknown…If he could face Black Gauntlet members without a wand, he could face anybody and anything with one.
Katsuki entered the Great Hall, ready to conquer the day. He sat at the Gryffindor table just as the first of many screeching owls filled the room. They circled tables until they saw their owners, dropping letters and packages onto their laps.
Some owl dropped a white envelope onto Katsuki's empty plate. His brow furrowed at the sight of the unfamiliar handwriting. "The fuck?" he murmured, picking it up.
Two more envelopes replaced the one. Owls continued swooping in by Katsuki, dropping off more letters and small packages.
"Why are you so popular?" Mina gasped.
"Fan mail?" Hanta guessed.
"Because of yesterday's paper?" Shoto mused aloud.
By now, Katsuki had collected over thirty letters and at least ten packages. Determined to get to the bottom of this, he opened the letter in his hands.
Katsuki,
I saw in the paper that you're a champion in the Triwizard Tournament! Oh, I suppose I should have started off by saying it's Elaine Bliss—
Crimson eyes remained stuck on the name. Elaine Bliss was one of the Black Gauntlet Children, and only a year younger than him. Sucking down air, Katsuki looked at the rest of his mail. Was everything from Black Gauntlet Children? Did they write to him because of the bloody paper?
"You okay, mate?" Eijiro asked.
As if Katsuki could get through a single letter in the presence of everybody. Standing, he removed his Gryffindor robe and laid it out on the bench. He used it to hold all of his mail, throwing it over his back like a sack.
"Kacchan, what are you doing?" Izuku asked as he left the table.
"Leaving."
As he was leaving the Great Hall, Ochako entered it. "Oh, done with breakfast already?" she asked.
"I'll be back later," he said, continuing on his way.
"Is everything all right?"
"I've got reading to do."
Katsuki made it to Gryffindor Tower without being disturbed. He removed his shoes and sat down cross-legged on his bed. Luna curled up on his lap, and he found the letter from Elaine Bliss. He continued reading where he left off.
Most of the senders were the children, but some were from the parents of the fallen children. The packages contained more letters, little gifts, and sweets for him. They all congratulated him on being chosen as a champion. They all were rooting for him to win the tournament. They all were thankful that he still thought of them.
He remembered every single face of the names. He remembered the history, the moments that they shared.
After drying his tears, Katsuki took out his trunk and put away the letters. He'd find a proper container later, much like the one at his home that held older letters and articles. After putting away his trunk, he rejoined Luna on his bed and curled up to her. Her soft fur against his face was comforting, and her purrs were soothing.
A new fire ignited within Katsuki. He would compete for all of Black Gauntlet Children now. His desire to win the Triwizard Tournament had never been stronger.
A/N: Long time no see, guys!