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

...

...

Hari rolled around as she dry-heaved feeling sick and clammy. Her scar was burning painfully making it feel like her head was going to explode.

You're going to lose everything, Hari.

Lose everything.

Lose everything.

Everything.

"Hari!" Rinko called worriedly.

A hand came down on her shoulder and Hari yelped and rolled away not focusing as she escaped the touch. She gasped for breath as a hand clasped her head.

"Shh… it's alright," Rinko said trying to sound calm but her tone was worried.

"You're safe, Hari-chan," Nanjiro said. "It's just us."

Hari blinked and they came into focus and she recognized them. But their still bodies flashed in her mind and she bit down on her lip to stop the sob from escaping.

"Sorry," she gasped.

Rinko looked so worried and sad. Hari remembered rolling away from her and realised that Rinko was holding back from coming over to her again. She swallowed still feeling sick, but her stomach had settled some as she had been brought back to reality.

"Okaa-chan," she almost whimpered. Embarrassment washed in over her but her need to feel protected and safe overpowered her wish to disappear into the ground and hide. She needed her mum.

"It's okay, Hari-chan," Rinko said moving closer and finally pulled her into a hug. "Shh… it's okay. You're safe."

Hari buried her face against Rinko's shoulder taking in the calming scents and warmth her adopted mother offered even though her tension wouldn't leave her. She felt Nanjiro join their hug and for a moment she felt safe.

Then they pulled back and she realised that she wasn't safe. She never would be. So how could she stay and place her family in danger?

"Come on," Nanjiro said helping her to her feet. Hari was surprised she managed to stay standing with how weak she felt.

She numbly followed her parents into the kitchen and sat down on a kitchen chair when Rinko guided her to one. What should she do? Were her family in danger? Or did she overreact? She'd had that kind of dreams before, right? And nothing had happened… but what if something was coming?

"Drink this," Rinko said making Hari blink and look down to see a glass of water was being held in front of her. She took it noticing the way her hands were shaking. She tried to drink quickly to hide the shaking from the searching eyes but knew it was useless.

"What happened, Hari-chan?" Rinko asked voice warm with concern. "We heard yelling."

"Nightmare," Hari mumbled putting the glass down before wiping her mouth with the back of her hand. She did feel a little better after drinking the cold water. "Sorry I disturbed you."

"Hey, you didn't," Nanjiro said.

"You didn't," Rinko agreed. "We are just worried. It sounded bad."

Hari tensed more but managed to nod.

"Do you want to talk about it?" Rinko offered. "It might help."

Hari hesitated. She almost said that she wanted to talk about it, but then she remembered Voldemort and felt a new wave of fear roll over her. She shook her head and looked down, so she didn't have to look at them. How could she put them at risk? What if something happened to them because of her?

Yes, there was some protection around the house now. She was relieved about that, but it suddenly didn't feel like it was enough.

"I don't want to talk about it," Hari said quietly. "I just want to forget it."

...

Rinko watched Hari as she sat on the kitchen chair looking like she was lost in thought. She was pale and Rinko caught the occasional shiver that went through her. She also noticed the shaking hands and the way she glanced at the doors and windows like she was expecting someone or something.

When she had heard that scream coming from outside, she had felt a cold shiver of fear go through her before she was moving toward the door. She had felt something like a wave hitting her, but she couldn't tell what it was.

"Okay," Rinko said even though she wanted to insist that Hari talked about it. She didn't like the idea of something scaring her daughter that much and not do anything about it, but she couldn't force her. "Why don't you go and try to get some sleep in your bed? I'll be up to check on you later, okay?"

"Okay," Hari mumbled getting up and Rinko worried she would fall because she swayed. Nanjiro reached out and put an arm around her so she guessed he had caught it as well. Hari looked like she wanted to protest but then she seemed to lean more into him and allowed him to guide her out of the kitchen.

Rinko sighed. What should she do?

"Okaa-chan?" Ryoma asked and Rinko saw him looking worried. He had been drawn out of his room by the scream as well but hadn't made himself known until now.

"Hey, Ryoma," Rinko smiled warmly to her son.

"Is… is she okay?" Ryoma asked concerned.

Rinko frowned a little, "I'm sure she'll be fine. It was a nightmare."

Ryoma frowned and glanced toward the stairs. He didn't seem too surprised and Rinko looked at him closer.

"Do you know something, Ryoma?" she asked.

He looked at her and she saw the hesitance in his eyes.

"Not really," he said. "I…"

"If you know something it would be a great help," Rinko said. "I know you are loyal to your sister, but sometimes people need more help than they know."

"I don't know anything, really," Ryoma said shuffling on his feet not looking at her. "I just… she has nightmares sometimes."

Rinko frowned. She hadn't noticed anything.

"A lot?" she asked.

Ryoma shrugged, "I don't know. She woke me up once because of it, but never said anything about having more."

Rinko sighed, "I see."

She wanted to ask why he hadn't said anything, why she hadn't said anything, but she didn't. She knew Ryoma never would tell Hari's secrets. She was surprised she even got him to admit this much.

"I don't know if she will be angry with me for telling you," Ryoma said as if knowing what she was thinking. "But… I don't like seeing her so scared."

Rinko nodded. "I don't either."

She went over to Ryoma and hugged him and felt him hugging her back before he pulled away with a blush. He never liked showing that he still needed his mother. Rinko smiled a little.

"Go to sleep," Rinko said brushing his hair out of his face. "You're going to need it before your dad's practice tomorrow."

He groaned, "why does he need to lead it? Annoying Oyaji…"

Rinko chuckled lightly as she watched Ryoma walked out of the kitchen before she made a new cup of tea.

"Enough for me?" Nanjiro asked having come back to the kitchen.

"Yes," Rinko said. "And Hari-chan...?"

"She's in bed, but I don't know if she'll fall asleep," Nanjiro said. "Did Ryoma say anything?"

"Just that she's had nightmares before," Rinko said.

They stayed in silence until the tea was made and sat down by the kitchen table both nursing their cup of tea. Rinko felt helpless.

"What should we do?" Nanjiro finally asked. "I never heard…"

He stopped but Rinko knew what he meant. Never heard anyone sound so scared.

"I don't know," Rinko sighed. "I am afraid it's connected to her magic… I don't know how we can help with that."

"I don't like it," Nanjiro muttered.

Rinko had to agree. She didn't mind Hari's magic, it was a part of Hari, but it was also a part of her that Rinko felt like she failed to reach and help. She felt helpless, and she was getting more and more certain that Hari was hiding something from them. Something that was connected to her magic and her schooling at Hogwarts.

But what could she do?

...

Hari sat up in bed as soon as Nanjiro left the room. She summoned for her journal needing to talk to Hermione. She heard Nanjiro walk back downstairs and she knew they would discuss her nightmare. She wished they hadn't heard it. She didn't want them to worry.

Hari: Hermione? You there?

Hari put the journal down on her bed as she waited. She glanced at the two-sided mirror Sirius had given her, but she wasn't sure if she wanted to talk to him. She knew he was with Remus and right now she wasn't sure if she could handle both. She wasn't sure if Remus would say anything or not… He had promised Sirius that he wouldn't, but Hari wasn't sure.

Hermione: I'm here, Hari. Isn't it late for you?

Hari: Kind of, but not too late. Are you busy?

Hermione: I have a study break right now. So, I'm sitting here with Neville. He doesn't know I'm writing to you, though.

Hari: Ah… Neville. How is he?

Hermione: Worried about you.

Hari: … sorry.

Hermione: I know. A reason for why you write? You normally wait until the weekend.

Hari: I know… I'm sorry for the inconvenience.

Hermione: No inconvenience. What's wrong?

Hari: I had another dream again.

Hermione: like the one you had when we were there?

Hari: Yes… I'm scared, Hermione. I don't know what to do.

Hermione: What was it about this time?

Hari: He…he showed me Okaa-chan, Otou-chan, Ryo-chan and Ryoga-nii dead. Then said I would lose everything.

Hermione: …

Hermione: oh, I'm sorry, Hari! You need to talk to Sirius or someone.

Hari: I can't. He'll get in trouble and there's nothing he can do. I don't understand this. It's just a nightmare.

Hermione: You don't believe that, Hari. I know it is preferable, but we can't assume.

Hari: I can't be the reason why my family get hurt again. I can't lose them. Not like mum and dad. I…

Hermione: I know. I'll search the library for something that might help. Maybe there's something in there about cursed scars. You should talk to Rinko and Nanjiro. I'm sure they will help you.

Hari: I don't want them involved.

Hermione: You don't do them any favours by hiding it, Hari. Just… think about it, okay?

Hari: Fine.

Hermione: I have to go. Class starts soon.

Hari: Okay.

...

Hari faked being asleep when she heard Rinko coming to check on her. She did her best to keep her breathing even and not move. Rinko remained standing there for a long moment before she closed the door again and left. Hari let out a small sigh and turned to her back and opened her eyes again.

Everything was so complicated. She wanted to stay, oh how she wanted to stay, but could she really do that? Could she force her parents (adopted or not) to face off against a magical dark lord who was offended she had survived as a child? Was that fair?

She had been too optimistic, Hari thought bitterly. Why had she thought she could ever be happy? That she could have a normal life? Ron had told her that she would always be the Girl Who Lived.

Idiotic sheep that waited for a child to do something. Why hadn't Dumbledore made some noise about Voldemort not being gone for good? Why did he let everyone think that he was gone? He should be using his power to prepare for when Voldemort stepped forward again, for when he found his way back into power (and found a body again).

She tossed and turned in bed all night not really managing to sleep, to shut her mind off. She was starting to believe that Ron had been right in saying that she couldn't stop being the Girl Who Lived and that she should stop trying. Besides… maybe her family would be better off without her. Ron certainly seemed to be doing better without her around. He didn't seem to be missing her at all anymore, so she was clearly forgettable. So, her family would be fine without her too.

Right?

...

The monk looked up at the starry sky and frowned. There was a disturbance in the air, and he sensed that something was very wrong.

"Are you okay, sensei?" a younger boy asked.

"I am fine, Arata," the monk said. "I will need to act soon. I cannot wait any longer."

"What do you mean, sensei?" the boy asked.

The monk didn't answer but turned back to the flowers he was tending. The small natural spring close by was tinkling comfortingly and the trees swayed in the wind.

"Focus on your mediations, Arata," the monk said.

"Yes, sensei," Arata said.

The monk nodded and turned to walk down the path toward the small house he lived in. He could sense it. In this place, he could sense more than most would understand, and he knew that it was time. The spirits were restless, and he was sure he had felt a wave of magic in the air. Magic, he had sensed once before.

...

Hari was still undecided on what to do the next morning. It felt like she hadn't slept much at all, but she did her best to hide it when she stumbled slightly into the kitchen for breakfast. Rinko turned from where she was preparing breakfast while Nanjiro looked up from the paper.

"Good morning, Hari-chan," Rinko said. "How are you feeling?"

"Fine," Hari said avoiding looking at them as she took her place at the table.

"Did you sleep well?" Nanjiro asked.

"Not really, but enough," Hari shrugged.

The guilty feelings had only grown inside of her, but she kept her silence as she tried to eat the food that was put in front of her.

"Sorry, I'm not hungry," Hari finally gave up having only eaten a small portion of the food.

"Are you feeling sick?" Rinko asked concerned and it only made Hari feel worse. "Maybe you should stay home today."

"No," Hari said abruptly. "No, I mean, I'm fine. Just a little tired, but it will be better when I get started on the day properly."

"Okay," Rinko sounded unsure.

Hari glanced at her briefly before hurrying out of the kitchen again and stopped at the bottom of the stairs and leaned against the railing as she inhaled deeply. Seriously, what was wrong with her now?

She got ready for school and was waiting for Ryoma when Momoshiro came on his bike. She didn't try to pay attention to their conversation or take part in it as they made their way toward the school. She was barely aware of Momoshiro walking with her to the classroom either.

"Hari-chan?" Kaido is standing beside her desk and she blinked realising that the class was already over, and it seemed to be lunchtime already.

"Oh, sorry, Ka-chan," she tried to smile. "Guess I spaced out a little."

He nodded, "could you look over my math homework?"

Hari pushed her thoughts away glad to focus on something else, so she nodded, and he pushed a chair over to her desk and handed over his book. She looked at it and picked up a pencil as she marked a mistake he had made.

"It's good," she finally said. "Only one mistake that I can see."

"Hm," he frowned a little as he looked at it. "I don't get it."

"Well, if you look at the part here," Hari said pointing and waited to see him nod before continuing to explain.

...

"Echizen," Momoshiro said noticing Ryoma outside their classroom. "Are you here for Hari-chan?"

Ryoma shrugged but didn't say anything as he watched Hari and Kaido leaning over the homework.

"Kaido asked for help with his math homework," Momoshiro explained. "Did you plan on meeting for lunch?"

Ryoma looked away from Hari and shook his head, "no."

He was only glad to see her interacting with someone again, so he was content to let her be. He had just gone to see if she was still withdrawn but was pleased when she wasn't. He was worried, though. That nightmare she'd had last night had been intense. He would admit to himself that he had been scared when he'd heard her screaming. She'd sounded so scared and he had never heard her sound like that before.

But what had she dreamt about to make her sound that scared?

"Come on," Ryoma said turning to leave. "Let's go eat."

Momoshiro grinned, "yes! Do you know what your dad has planned for practice today?"

Ryoma groaned, "no."

"Why the long-suffering look?" Momoshiro asked.

"You don't know him," Ryoma huffed. "He's annoying."

"He's a pro-tennis player and we're going to learn from him," Momoshiro said.

Ryoma just rolled his eyes as he found the table in the cafeteria. "So? He still is annoying."

...

Nanjiro watched as the kids filtered onto the court chatting and laughing. He immediately sought out Ryoma and Hari as they arrived. Ryoma was talking with that friend he always went to school with, while Hari was talking with a scowling boy (he thought was named Kaido or something like that).

"Hari-chan!" Kikumaru exclaimed suddenly running over and pouncing on her making Nanjiro frown at the arms circling Hari's neck. "You are here finally! I didn't see you at lunch!"

"Air, Kikumaru-senpai," Hari said but sounded more fond than annoyed.

"Sorry," Kikumaru laughed but he let go. "But I still missed you at lunch."

"I was with Ka-chan," Hari said. "We were looking at some homework."

"Boring," Kikumaru said.

Hari shrugged looked around and noticed Nanjiro watching making her look away again almost immediately. Nanjiro frowned slightly as he noticed a new tension in her shoulders. He turned his attention back to the others for now.

"Okay, brats!" He called out. "Gather together! It's time to start playing tennis!"

"Here we go," he heard Ryoma mutter.

"First warm up!" Nanjiro ordered feeling a great sense of entertainment as he gave them the order.

He watched as they moved to the laps and started to run around the court on the outside of the netting fence.

He nodded as he watched them run. The non-regulars were the first to stop while the regulars kept going for a couple of more rounds before he stopped them.

He stared at them blankly for a moment before he spoke.

"Not bad," he said. "But I still want you to work on your stamina. Tomorrow you will run five more laps."

He heard the groans, but he ignored them.

"I want to see you play tennis," Nanjiro said. "Pair off and play. I will walk around and watch."

"Yes, coach," they said.

Coach… he did like being called that.

"Stop grinning like that," Ryoma huffed as he passed him. "It's creepy."

"Brat," Nanjiro said.

He turned to look for Hari wanting to see what she thought but she had turned to Kaido and they seemed to be pairing up together to play. He hummed thoughtfully.

Nanjiro stood to the side and observed them play. He had no trouble keeping up with them all and quickly noticed their weaknesses.

"Ah, they're already playing," he heard a girl say and turned around to see Ryuzaki's granddaughter and another girl standing there watching. "RYOMA-SAMA! GO! YOU CAN DO IT!"

Nanjiro smirked at the loud one yelled while Sakuno (he remembered her name now) blushed and tried to calm her friend down while looking like she wanted to join in as well.

"Shh… you'll disturb them," Sakuno said.

Nanjiro looked at his son and saw that he was stoically ignoring the girls, but he knew he had heard them. This was amusing.

He was interrupted by his phone ringing and picked it up.

"Yo," he said lazily.

"I hope you pay attention to the practice, brat," Ryuzaki said.

"You're the one calling me," Nanjiro huffed. "I'm paying attention, old hag."

"Rude brat," Ryuzaki scoffed into the phone. "Well?"

"Well, what?" Nanjiro asked innocently.

"How is it going?" Ryuzaki asked.

"Hm… who knows," Nanjiro said. "They're still alive?"

"Why did that sound like a question?" Ryuzaki sighed.

"You're supposed to be resting," Nanjiro said allowing some worry to leak into his voice.

"I'm bored," Ryuzaki said.

"Still, you need rest," Nanjiro said. "I have it under control."

"Well, you'll probably get some help soon," Ryuzaki said.

"Eh? I don't need help," Nanjiro rolled his eyes.

"Still, you will get it," Ryuzaki said. "But it's fine."

"Hmph," Nanjiro huffed. "Whatever. I'll talk with you later."

"Fine," Ryuzaki said. "Do not traumatize them too much!"

"Ha! No promises," Nanjiro smirked into the phone before hanging up.

He pushed away from the fence as he started to move among the courts, and he could tell that they noticed him by the glances and small mistakes they made as they paid more attention to him than their game.

He looked at Hari who seemed focused on the game, but he couldn't help but feel like she knew exactly where he was and was avoiding him.

"You," he suddenly said turning to look at Kikumaru who gulped. "You are a part of the doubles, correct?"

"Ye-yes," Kikumaru said.

Nanjiro nodded. "Come on. Your partner come over here now!"

Kikumaru glanced over at Oishi who looked a little nervous as well walk over. The others had stopped to watch.

"What now, coach?" Oishi asked.

"You will both play me," Nanjiro said.

"Who do you want to play first?" Kikumaru asked.

Nanjiro smirked before waving the racket at them, "who said anything about playing you one-on-one?"

"Eh? But…"

"You two against me," Nanjiro rolled his eyes. "Come on! Let's play! Let's play!"

Kikumaru and Oishi exchanged looks before they looked back at Nanjiro and nodded slowly.

...

Hari walked to the side with the others to watch Nanjiro play against Kikumaru and Oishi. She leaned against the fence as she watched how they started the serve and Nanjiro caught the ball without effort and returned it.

Oishi had to stretch as far as he was to get it and barely managed to get it back over the net. Nanjiro was there already and smashed the ball out of their reach.

"Come on!" Nanjiro said. "Let me see some of your team play!"

The game continued and they failed to get a point while Nanjiro continued to make points.

"Whoa," Momoshiro said.

"Is this even possible?!" Horio asked loudly.

"Amazing!" Kachiro and Mizuno gasped.

"Impressive," Inui said scribbling in his notebook.

"Why?" Ryoma asked bored. "That's just normal."

"But he plays both Kikumaru and Oishi!" Horio stared at Ryoma incredulously. "And they're the best double players we have!"

Ryoma just shrugged and yawned, "and Oyaji is strong. He won't lose against them."

Fuji chuckled, "interesting."

Hari listened to them but didn't say anything as she watched Nanjiro as he played. He looked like he had fun as he laughed and jumped around.

...

Hari took a detour on her way home from school. She had managed to avoid Ryoma and leave the school alone. She felt a little bad for doing it, but she needed to be alone.

She had to make up her mind. She needed to figure out what to do before she went back to the house.

Was she prepared to take the risk and stay hoping that her nightmares or visions (whatever they were) were fake? That she was safe? Was she prepared to face the consequences if he really was coming for her?

But if she wasn't… then what should she do?

Should she run? Leave?

It physically hurt to even considering leaving. She loved…she loved this place; she had found belonging and friends and family.

But if she could keep them safe? Wouldn't that be worth it

Noble idiot, a small voice whispered in her mind. It reminded her of Hermione's voice.

Yes, but still… she might be a noble idiot, but what else could she do?

Tell them.

She frowned and almost jumped when her phone started to ring, and she let out a shaky breath as she pulled it out of her pocket. She stared at the caller-id and frowned.

Seiichi.

Tears built up in her eyes as she stared at her phone ringing. She moved her finger over to push the accept button but hesitated. What could she say? He wasn't safe around her either. He deserved better than someone who lied to him all the time.

It stopped ringing and she closed her eyes as a tear escaped from her eyes and landed on her cheek.

...

Hari looked around and blinked. Where was she? She thought it looked familiar, but she had no idea why or where she was. She hadn't gotten lost in a while. She sighed.

Great, just great. Of course, she would get lost now.

She looked around again trying to determine where she was and why it looked so familiar. She titled her head as she looked around taking in the flowers around her. It looked like a shrine or something, but she hadn't…

"Hello, young one," a voice said making her jump and spin around to find a monk standing behind her. Had he been there all the time?

"Um… I'm sorry, I just got lost… I didn't mean to trespass or anything," Hari said quickly.

"No worries," he said. "You are expected. Come with me."

Hari frowned. A warning went off in her mind about following strangers but the peace around her made her feel more confident about doing so. Something told her that he meant her no harm. So, she followed him through pathways among flowers that shouldn't be blooming and also flowers that looked like magical flowers.

Oh. Had she ended up at the shrine leading to the magical district? Well, that was unexpected.

"Sit," the monk said making her realise that they had reached a small traditional looking house that was deep inside the shrine. They had entered it and was now in a large mostly empty room with wide windows slash doors and a table set on the table with mats around them. She sat down on one of the mats and folded her hands in her lap trying to stop them shaking.

He had vanished for a moment before he was back again and tray hovering behind him. He sat down before the tray put itself on the table.

"You are carrying a heavy burden," he said breaking the silence.

Hari blinked at him. "What?"

"So young to carry such a burden," he said but she wondered if he was talking to himself or to her. "We meet again, young one. I did tell you that you will find help here if you ever need it."

Hari couldn't help but blink at him confused before she realised that she had seen him before. He had been the monk she'd seen the only time she had been there to enter the magical district.

"Oh, you're the monk I saw," she said dumbly.

"That's right," he said.

"But… I didn't mean to come here," she said. "I didn't… I don't need…"

"You might not have set out to come here but you did not stumble upon this place by accident either," the monk said. "You are where you need to be."

Hari looked at him confused.

"I don't understand," she said.

"Magic," he started, "is not just one thing. It is in everything, the objects, nature all around us. It's there for everyone to see, but most don't know what it is or understand it."

"You mean that magic or spirits or whatever is what led me here?" Hari asked a little disbelief in her voice.

"In a way," he said.

Hari frowned at him.

"I still don't know what good it will do," Hari said. "I am still confused."

He waved a hand and the clay pot poured tea into the teacup also made of clay. It levitated over to her.

"Please have some tea," he said.

Hari just took it not really thinking about it. She sighed softly before she sipped the tea mostly out of politeness. But she immediately felt warm and more relaxed.

"You need help, and your magic knows this," the monk explained. "That's why it led you here."

...

Hari knew she should be asking more questions. That she should be more sceptical, but she was… just so tired. She was at her wit's end and didn't know what to think anymore.

"How can you help me?" she finally asked not really hoping that he had anything that could help. What could he do about Voldemort?

"There are always ways to help," the monk said cryptically.

"If I wanted to have cryptical answers I would have stayed at Hogwarts," Hari scoffed at him.

He smiled.

"I can help," he said. "Are you aware of the dark presence you are carrying with you?"

Hari blinked, "what?"

He nodded. "I sensed it last time, but I was not sure what it was. I can sense it now. It is stronger now, and it is weighing you down."

"What dark presence?" Hari still didn't understand.

He moved and motioned for her to stand up. She did and eyed him warily.

"I want to try something," he said. "Close your eyes and try to relax."

Hari waited a moment before she nodded and did as he asked. She closed her eyes and did her best to relax her muscles and stop thinking. It was hard.

She had no idea how long she stood there but it felt like a very long time.

...

The monk was holding his hands over her head, one over her scar and one over the top of her head as she stood still. He had felt something from her last time he'd seen her, but it was so brief that he hadn't been sure. But now… now he was sure that she had something very dark that didn't belong connected to her.

It was such dark energy that he almost felt the need to flinch and it felt dirty and just wrong. He could also feel lighter energy, but it was battling against the darkness. It was strong, but he could feel it wavering.

Finally, he stepped back, and she let out a breath she seemed to be unaware that she had been holding.

"You can open your eyes now," he said. "Please sit down again."

"What was that?" she asked when she sat down again. "What did you do?"

He watched her for a long moment thinking hard. He should tell her but at the same time, he was not sure how she would take news like this.

"A heavy burden is on your shoulders," he said repeating what he had told her earlier. "You are a very strong young woman."

Hari looked at him confused.

"You have been having dreams lately," he said.

"Ye-yes," she said startled. "How did you know?"

"What are the dreams about?" he asked not answering her question.

She watched him with sharp green eyes, and he knew she was considering what to say.

"Voldemort," she finally said.

"Can you tell me about them?" he asked.

...

Hari winced a little at the questions. She wanted to tell him that it was not any of his business, that her dreams were just dreams but she knew they were more, and he looked so serious even despite his calm exterior.

"It's not always clear," she said. "I once dreamt about him torturing Wormtail who was telling him that I had left Hogwarts and that no one knew where I was. And… last night I dreamt that my adopted parents and brothers died, and he said I was going to lose everything because I love them."

She knew her voice cracked a little at the end but tried to remain calm and not let the fear and despair she felt affect her any more than it already had.

"It's not normal dreams, are they?" she asked looking up.

"No," he said. "I'm afraid it's not."

"I can't stay," she said. "I will only bring danger to my family."

She felt him watching her, but she didn't look at him.

"You don't think they will support you?" he asked.

Hari frowned, "that's not it."

"Don't you think your family deserves the truth?" he challenged.

Hari winced a little. Yes, she did think they deserved the truth, but…

"Young one, we are not meant to go through this life on our own," the monk said kindly. "Alone one is weak, but together one is strong. It might sound like a cliché, but it is true. We are all connected through the magic even if we have the magical abilities or not. Magic is in everything around us, it is what connects us to the nature and the people. It is a powerful thing and can be used for both good and bad."

Hari thought about what he was saying, he had said something similar earlier as well, "so you mean that I am stronger if I tell my family?"

"What do you think strength is, young one?" he asked instead of answering making Hari frown at him.

"Um… well… I don't…" she said before trailing off. "The ability to protect the ones you love?"

"And how would you do that?"

"Fighting," Hari said. "But I am not good enough. I don't know enough to protect them from Voldemort. I have put on some wards around the house, but I know that Voldemort can get past them if he wants. And I am trying to learn more magic to protect them but it's slow."

"Protection is not always physical," the monk said. "Protection can be more than that, and knowledge and support can be other ways of protection."

Hari furrowed her brows. "So, telling them can be a way to protect them?"

"And them supporting you can be another way for them to protect you," the monk said. "Don't you think that Voldemort will like the idea of you being out there on your own? Away from everything that could help you?"

Hari nodded slowly.

"I can help you," the monk said. "But I will also require that you talk to your family and that they are with you on this. It is too much to do on your own."

Hari stared at him for a long moment wondering if she was silly for even considering what he was saying. Was she a fool for believing him? But the way he talked, while confusing and unbelievable, was also comforting. It was like something inside of her responded. Like she finally found a flicker of hope again.

Maybe she could stay.

...

Rinko was worried. Ryoma had arrived home a while ago and Nanjiro had just gotten back as well, but Hari still wasn't back. She glanced at the clock noting that it was now four hours since she should be back.

"Maybe I should go and look for her," Nanjiro said breaking into her thoughts.

"Yes," Rinko nodded. "Maybe she went with someone from her team?"

"I don't think so, but she might have," Nanjiro said.

"I asked Momo-chan if he'd seen her, but he said no," Ryoma said entering the kitchen.

"What about that overly touching boy?" Nanjiro asked.

Ryoma snorted, "Kikumaru-senpai. I doubt it. I would guess Fuji-senpai or Kaido-senpai."

"Can you ask?" Rinko looked at Ryoma who nodded.

Nanjiro was suddenly next to her and put a hand on her shoulder.

"We'll find her," he promised. "Don't worry."

"We should have asked more about her nightmare, Nanjiro," Rinko said. "Something is wrong. I can feel it."

"Pressing her won't do any good, though," Nanjiro said. "She managed to interact with her friends at school today. She is a teenager."

"I know," Rinko said. "I just… I have a bad feeling."

Rinko did know that Hari was a teenager. Hari was independent, and while she was leaning on them for some things more and more Rinko couldn't help but feel like she was keeping a bigger part of her locked away from them. And the bad feeling deep inside her was not letting go despite her husband's attempts to reassure her. She knew he was worried as well and that he was trying to keep her calm.

Nanjiro had called Ryoga who was on his way home from a friend's place and would stop by some places to look for Hari on his way back.

Nanako was doing the dishes after dinner but was also looking concerned.

Just then they heard the front door open and Rinko hurried out of the kitchen and paused when she saw Hari entering the house looking pale but otherwise okay.

"Hari-chan," Rinko said relieved.

"Okaa-chan," Hari said before swallowing. "Um…"

"Where have you been? You had us worried! Nanjiro was just about to go out to look for you and Ryoga is already looking for you!" Rinko scolded letting her worry and frustration spillover. "You need to call if you're going to be late!"

"I'm sorry," Hari said quietly.

"Hari-chan," Nanjiro was there then. "Are you okay?"

"Fine," Hari mumbled shifting on her feet. "Just…"

"Ah, you're back;" Ryoma said.

Hari looked at them knowing that she had to tell them the truth now. It was time. Wasn't it?

...

...

AN: What do you think? XD

I'm sorry for the long pause since the last update. I took a small break from writing over the holidays. I needed a small break, but when I got back to writing I struggled with getting the chapter right. I have been rewriting this chapter a lot. I just can't get happy with it. This is as good as I'm going to get it, and I felt that every time I tried something different it got worse. So, I ended up with this. It has to be enough. Hope you like it. XD

Thank you for your patience and thanks for reading! XD Happy new year! XD