Disclaimer: I don't own Harry Potter or Prince of Tennis!
...
...
Hari jerked up in bed feeling drenched and heart beating what seemed to be a mile a minute. She was barely aware of the door to her room opening and jerked back when someone touched her.
"Shh, Hari-chan," a voice said sounding far away. "Shh. It's just me. You're okay. You're safe."
Hari tried to listen to the voice, but the echo of a laugh rang in her ears and the smirk of young Tom Riddle's face kept flashing in her mind.
"Breathe, Hari," the voice said again. "That's it, honey. Breathe. In and out. You're safe. You are in your bed at home. Just breathe, Hari."
Hari recognised the voice now and blinked to see Rinko watching her concerned. She was standing beside her bed and kept talking calmly. Repeating the same things over and over and Hari briefly wondered how long she had been doing that.
"Sorry…" Hari croaked.
"No need to be sorry," Rinko said.
"Nightmare," Hari said as an explanation even if it wasn't needed. "Just…"
"It's okay," Rinko said sitting down on the edge of the bed. She reached out and took Hari's hand in hers and Hari watched the connected hands. "Do you want to talk about it?"
Hari hesitated, "not now."
"Hari-chan, you don't need to keep in inside," Rinko said, "you can talk to me. To us."
"I… I know," Hari said. "I just…"
"Okay," Rinko sighed. "It's still late so you should try to get some more sleep."
"No, I can't," Hari shook her head. "I can't sleep anymore. I can't close my eyes…"
She would see him again… she couldn't see him again. He was everywhere…
Rinko nodded but didn't look happy. "Okay, let's go downstairs."
"No, you should sleep," Hari protested. "You have work…"
"I'm taking a few days off," Rinko said.
"But…" Hari felt bad.
"You need me more than work does right now, Hari-chan," Rinko said. "Besides, I can do some things from home if I need to. I'm not going anywhere, okay?"
Hari was too exhausted to argue more so she just nodded and got out of bed. She picked up her journal in case she could talk to Hermione before going downstairs and over to the sofa. Rinko disappeared into the kitchen and Hari could hear her fiddling with something there but didn't bother to think too much about it. She turned on one light by the sofa so she could see a little. It was still dark outside.
...
Hari: Hermione?
Hermione: Isn't it late for you, Hari?
Hari: In the middle of the night. I think.
Hermione: What's wrong?
Hari: I…I had a nightmare.
Hermione: Same as the others?
Hari: No… just a nightmare this time. I think. I was back in the chamber with Tom. He talked and talked and talked… and the basilisk.
Hermione: It's been a while since you've had that nightmare, isn't it?
Hari: Yeah.
Hermione: Are you okay, Hari?
Hari: … don't know.
Hermione: you need to talk to someone, Hari.
Hari: I told them everything.
Hermione: you did? Really?
Hari: yeah. About mum and dad and Dumbledore and Voldemort. Everything.
Hermione: wow. That's a good thing, Hari. I'm proud of you. It must have been difficult.
Hari: it was. I'm not sure I did the right thing.
Hermione: you did. I know you did. How did they take it?
Hari: surprisingly…well. I have shadows at school now and Okaa-chan is in the kitchen doing something now. I woke her up with my nightmare and she refused to go back to bed.
Hermione: they love you. Allow them to do that, Hari. You deserve it.
Hari: not if I get them killed.
Hermione: you don't know what will happen. It's not your fault. You are allowed to lean on your family.
Hari: they think I should talk to Hisakawa, my case worker.
Hermione: that's a good idea, actually. I can't believe I didn't think about that.
Hari: me too. I will do it. Especially if it will keep them safe.
Hermione: keep you safe too.
Hari: sure. I have to go. Okaa-chan is back.
Hermione: okay. Talk to you later. And maybe think about going for a run or something, eh? It used to help you with your nightmares before.
Hari: okay. Thank you.
...
Hari put down the journal and looked at Rinko who placed a cup of hot chocolate in front of her.
"Hot chocolate," Rinko smiled. "Homemade."
"Thank you," Hari said.
"Who were you talking to? That's the journal you got from your friends in England, right?" Rinko asked as she settled down in the chair with her own cup of hot chocolate.
"It is," Hari nodded. "I was talking with Hermione. I just updated her a little about what's happened."
"She knows everything?" Rinko asked.
"Most," Hari said and looked down. "I haven't told her what the monk said…about how…how…"
She couldn't say it.
"Why?"
"She would be worried and scared," Hari said.
"Like you are?" Rinko guessed.
Hari shrugged.
"Well, you decided what you want to tell her," Rinko said. "But it sounds like she's a friend who has stuck with you. But think about it."
Hari nodded wondering if she should tell Hermione.
...
Nanjiro came down just before six in the morning and found his wife asleep in a chair while Hari was on the sofa reading or at least had a book open in her lap. She glanced up when she heard him and smiled slightly but it was weak.
"Morning, Otou-chan," Hari said.
"You've been awake for long?" Nanjiro asked.
"Had a nightmare," Hari said looking away. "Okaa-chan refused to go back to bed."
Nanjiro nodded and looked at his wife. "She fell asleep?"
"About an hour ago," Hari said. "It's fine and I'm glad she did. I don't want to keep her up just because I can't sleep."
"We wouldn't hold it against you," Nanjiro said. "Not if you needed us."
Hari looked at him for a moment at a loss as to what to say before she blinked and smiled softly.
"No, but it helps to just sit here like this too," Hari said shyly. "It's enough."
"Hm," Nanjiro said. "Okay."
She nodded and looked out of the window and saw that it had started to get lighter outside now.
"I think I will go for a run," Hari said getting up.
"Now?" Nanjiro asked surprised.
"It helps," Hari shrugged.
"Mind if I join you?" Nanjiro asked and Hari looked at him.
"You want to?" Hari asked.
"Sure," Nanjiro smiled. "Sounds like a good way to start the day."
Hari nodded slowly, "okay."
Hari went to her room to change and found Nanjiro already changed and ready when she got back down. Rinko wasn't in the chair anymore, but Nanjiro just said he had gotten her to bed.
Hari didn't feel the need to talk as they ran through the streets and down to the river. It was nice out this early, hardly anyone else to be seen and it felt like they had the world for themselves. Hari just focused on running and moving forward aware that Nanjiro was keeping pace beside her and was watching her.
...
"I think you should stay home today," Rinko said when Hari and Nanjiro came back to the house. Rinko had changed and clearly had a shower while they had been out running. Hari could also hear the rest of her family moving around in different areas of the house getting ready for the day.
"But…" Hari said.
"It's been a lot for you lately," Rinko said. "And you hardly got any sleep tonight. So, today I think you need a day off."
Hari wanted to protest but she bit the words back because it was true that she was tired and she didn't really want to see anyone today. Fuji would be watching her and she would feel like he could see straight through her and while she loved watching the others having fun and laughing it didn't feel like something she wanted today.
"Okay," she gave in. "I guess you are right."
"I am," Rinko said. "I also think we should get a letter sent to Hisakawa before we go and see the monk again."
"Okay," Hari sighed. "I guess it's necessary."
"It will be alright, Hari-chan," Rinko said.
Hari just shrugged not really knowing what to think. She wanted so desperately to believe that everything would be okay, but she didn't dare to just let herself believe that.
Hari worked on her letter after Ryoma and Ryoga had left for school. She heard Nanjiro tell Rinko that he would be at the shrine before leaving for the school and practice of the day.
Hari sat by her desk staring at the paper not sure what to write. She sighed.
"Okay," she mumbled. "Just write."
She picked up her pen and started to write.
Dear Hisakawa-san,
I'm sorry for bothering you, but something has come up and I need to talk to someone about it. It's sensitive information and I'm not sure where to turn. I don't really want to say more in the letter just in case it ends up in the wrong hands. Is it possible for us to meet soon?
Best wishes,
Echizen Hari.
She reread it a couple of times before she decided that it should be good enough. She hoped he would understand the urgency of her request.
...
Rinko went to find Hari before they had to leave to talk to the monk again and found her sleeping on her bed. She was still on top of the covers and looked like she had fallen asleep while reading. She really didn't want to wake her up, but she knew it was necessary.
"Hari-chan," Rinko said softly nudging her shoulder. "Wake up. We have to leave now to talk to the monk."
Hari blinked confused a couple of times and Rinko smiled at how cute she looked. It really felt like she had always been her daughter and Rinko couldn't imagine being without her again.
"Mm…'kay," Hari mumbled.
Rinko watched as Hari almost stumbled to the bathroom wanting to reach out and help her but kept back. She couldn't hover around her all the time, it wouldn't be good in the long run and she knew that Hari was already overwhelmed by everything.
It was hard, though. To not just grab her and refuse to let go.
It didn't take long before Hari was ready and they got into the car. She glanced at Hari and saw her looking out of the window. The silence in the car wasn't uncomfortable, but it was a little tense. They both worried about the next meeting with the monk.
Nanjiro was waiting for them when they got there. Ryoma and Ryoga wouldn't be coming this time but would wait for them at home. It wasn't that they didn't want to come but Rinko and Nanjiro thought it would be better this way. Hari would have enough to handle without being crowded.
It hadn't been an easy decision to make and Rinko did worry that it was a mistake. Hari did need their support, but they could do that afterwards as well. Hari would know that her brothers had her back either way.
"Good day?" Nanjiro asked after hugging Hari.
Hari shrugged without saying anything as she glanced toward the shrine they couldn't yet see.
"Okay," Rinko said. "Lead us in, Hari-chan."
...
Hari sat listening to the monk talk more about how the balance between magic and non-magic worked and how everything was connected in a way that relied on kami and nature. It was interesting, if not for the fact that she was carrying something unnatural and vile.
"How long until you can do the ritual?" Rinko asked after a while.
"It will be a few weeks," the monk said. "We need to wait until the next lunar eclipse."
"Why?" Nanjiro asked.
"The magic is stronger then," the monk explained. "The opening between our world and the spiritual world is weaker and it is needed for the ritual. I will warn you that the ritual is dangerous and it might be too much."
"It can kill me?" Hari asked quietly.
The monk looked at her, "if your magic is resisting the separation from the Horcrux then it might turn on you and result in your death."
Nanjiro paled as he grabbed Hari's hand and she felt how tight he held it but she didn't move to pull away. Rinko looked pale as well but she also looked determined.
"But you think she has a good chance of making it?" Rinko asked.
"Yes," the monk said. "Hari is strong. Her magic is stronger than most, so that is good sign."
Hari nodded, "okay."
"When is the next lunar eclipse?" Nanjiro asked.
"In seven weeks," the monk said.
"And what should I do in the meantime?" Hari asked.
"I want you to come here and learn more about how to protect your mind and also how to use the spiritual magic around you," the monk said. "I think that maybe the weekends would be a good idea. Not all day," he added when he saw her opening her mouth to protest, "but part of the day in order to get ready."
Hari sighed but she nodded, "I also have magic lessons."
"We'll work around it," the monk said. "You need to be comfortable here and around me and my apprentice. You need to trust us completely for this to be possible, Hari."
Hari frowned a little but she nodded, "okay."
He smiled a little.
"Okay," Rinko agreed. "We have contacted the ministry, her caseworker at least, and will also see what he can do."
The monk nodded, "I would advise you do not reveal that she is a Horcrux. It is for her own safety."
"Then how can I explain how I know about Voldemort?" Hari asked but she was relieved she didn't have to tell someone else about her being a Horcrux.
"Use your old headmaster's explanation," the monk suggested. "If you say that Dumbledore told you that they will be more inclined to believe the explanation. Besides, your scar is unmatched and no one can really know what the consequences of surviving the killing curse are. There's no one to compare it to."
Hari frowned a little but she supposed he was right.
"Okay," Hari said.
...
"Here," the monk said holding out a talisman for her. "This will help you to fight the nightmares. It might not be completely safe, that's why I want you to come here and learn more about protecting your mind, but it will help."
Hari reached out and accepted the talisman and noticed that it was made of some sort of fabric. She saw the scripture on the talisman mention a Baku. She frowned a little before she looked back at the monk. She thought she remembered learning that a Baku was a yokai that devoured bad dreams or something like that.
"Keep it on you at all times," the monk said. "Keep it in your pocket and during the nights keep it under your pillow."
Hari swallowed and looked up at him.
"Thank you," she said unable to really find the words to how much this meant for her.
He nodded and with that, she knew they were dismissed, and she followed her parents out.
...
He nodded and with that, she knew they were dismissed, and she followed her parents out.
"You scared me," Hari frowned at him.
"You weren't at school today," Fuji said as he sat down beside her. "Echizen said you weren't feeling well."
Hari shrugged, "I'm…okay. I just didn't sleep much last night and Okaa-chan thought I should stay home."
Fuji hummed, "something is wrong."
Hari knew he had noticed but she kept quiet. She didn't know what to say.
"I wish you would confide in me," Fuji said when it was clear she wasn't going to say anything. "Did you have a fight with Yukimura?"
Hari grimaced a little.
"No," she said. "I didn't. I'm sorry, Shu-chan. I don't want you to worry about me."
"You're one of my best friends," Fuji said. "You helped me with Yuta, and I want to help you."
"I didn't do anything," Hari frowned at him. "You and Yuta-chan made up on your own."
Fuji just smiled and shook his head, "you helped, but anyway… I still want to help you."
Hari sighed, "I'm just dealing with some things from…from before I got here. I thought I was over it, but… I don't really want to talk about it."
"Okay," Fuji said.
She looked at him, "and you are helping, Shu-chan. Just being here is helping. I know you are here and I really appreciate it."
Fuji smiled and Hari turned her attention back to the water. He kept sitting beside her in silence and allowed her to just sit there. He didn't pressure her for more information.
...
Seiichi was frowning at his phone. He had tried to call Hari again but she hadn't picked up. In fact, she hadn't replied to any of his calls or texts lately. Why was that?
"Seiichi?" Sanada looked at him.
"Hm?" Seiichi said distractedly.
"Is there something wrong?" Sanada asked.
"Hari-chan hasn't answered texts or my calls in a few days," Seiichi said.
Sanada blinked, "oh? Did you have a fight?"
"No," Seiichi said before he frowned. "I don't think so?"
Sanada shook his head, "you don't think so?"
"No!" Seiichi said. "I just… I don't get it."
Sanada nodded, "maybe she's sick?"
"But she could still answer a text," Seiichi said.
"True," Sanada said. "Have you tried calling her brother?"
Seiichi frowned lightly, "I don't really want to have to do that."
Sanada nodded, "I get it."
Seiichi sighed, "I just have a feeling that something is wrong."
Sanada looked at him but Seiichi didn't really pay his best friend any attention as he tried to figure out what could be wrong. He wanted to go and see her and find out why she was avoiding him. He worried that he'd done something wrong, or maybe something had happened when she was visiting him? Something she hadn't told him about?
Sanada tried to cheer him up and Seiichi appreciate it but he wasn't sure it worked right now. He couldn't stop worrying about Hari. He also felt a little annoyed, but mostly just worried.
...
"Ah, Seiichi-nii!" Hana cheered when she saw him. He had just arrived back home and blinked when his sister came running at him. "Look! Look at what I can do!"
She grabbed his hand and pulled him toward the living room where his parents were sitting looking a little stunned.
"Calm down," Seiichi said. "What's going on?"
Hana looked excitedly up at him.
"Look!" she said and turned to stare at her doll that was lying on the sofa and Seiichi glanced at his parents confused but they just shook their heads. So he looked back at his sister and then over at the doll…
…that was floating in the air and making its way toward Hana.
"Um…what?" he blinked. "What was that?"
"I did it!" Hana said when she caught the doll. "I did!"
"How?" Seiichi blinked. "How did you do it?"
"Don't know," Hana shrugged. "It just happened a few days ago when I wanted my doll but didn't want to get up. Then it just flew at me! And I tried to do it again, but I couldn't… but today it worked!"
Hana beamed, "isn't it cool?!"
Seiichi swallowed before he nodded, "sure is. Um… but…"
"I'm just as confused as you," Sora said.
Kouki nodded in agreement with his wife, "I've never seen anything like this."
Seiichi frowned a little but then the doorbell rang and he turned to go and open it since he was already standing. He ruffled Hana's hair on the way, though and smiled back at her. He knew that this was probably something they needed to deal with but she was his little sister so he would gladly do it.
He opened the door and frowned when he saw a man he'd never seen before standing outside. He was wearing a suit and had long grey hair that was tied back in a ponytail.
Seiichi opened the door and saw two men he hadn't seen before standing outside.
"Hello," the older of the two men said. "Are your parents in?"
Seiichi looked at them curiously before he nodded.
"They are," he said. "Come in."
He wondered who they were but remained silent as he led the way to the living room.
...
"Okaa-chan, Otou-chan," Seiichi said, "someone's here to see you."
His parents got to their feet and stepped forward to meet the two men who entered behind their son.
"Hello," the older man said with a warm smile. "My name is Seo Kurou, I am the deputy-headmaster of Mahoutokoro Magic school."
"I'm Akiyama Shotaro," the younger man said, "and I'm from the Department of Magical Education."
Seiichi arched a brow as he looked at them.
"Sorry," Kouki said. "but did you say magic?"
"Yes," Seo said. "Magic is real."
Seiichi wasn't sure what to think, but he couldn't really see anyone who would try to trick them like this.
"Um… and why are you here and why tell us?" Sora asked.
"I understand that this is confusing," Akiyama said, "so why don't we sit down so we can explain?"
Sora and Kouki exchanged a look and Seiichi wondered if they would refuse and tell the two men to leave. But they nodded and they all sat down. Seiichi did too since no one told him to leave and allowed Hana to climb into his lap as she looked at the two men curiously.
"Magic is all around the world, but it's hidden from the normal world," Seo said, "Magic is often passed down through generations, but occasionally magic appears outside of the known magical families. There are many theories for why that happens, but we don't need to go into that today."
"Thankfully," Akiyama said with a small grin.
"How would you know that magic happens outside of known families, then?" Kouki asked.
"There is a Quill of Acceptance at our school," Seo explains, "it writes down the names of the potential students as it detects magic."
"It's the simple explanation," Akiyama nodded.
"Still don't see why you are here," Sora said but Seiichi knew she had a suspicion and so did he.
"Yukimura Hana appeared on our list," Seo smiled looking over at Hana. "She is a muggleborn witch."
"Our Hana?" Sora asked glancing over at her daughter.
"Yes," Seo nodded.
"But…how… I mean…" Kouki blinked.
"Hana-chan has magic?" Seiichi asked.
"She does," Akiyama said.
"Magic isn't just fairy tales?" Hana asked awed.
"Certainly not," Seo smiled at her before he demonstrated some magic for them making Hana grin and laugh in excitement as he did. He put his wand back and looked at Hana. "Have you ever done something that you can't explain?"
"Yes!" Hana said excitedly. "Look!"
She looked at the teddy bear that was on the floor and focused and after a moment the bear flew up and into her arms. She grinned at the two men.
"That is incredible control over your magic," Seo said while Akiyama nodded in agreement.
"More control that many have so young," Akiyama said.
"Is it not normal?" Sora asked.
"It's not unheard of," Seo smiled, "but it is unusual. How old are you, Hana-chan?"
"Five, but almost six!" Hana said.
"That is a year earlier than we normally have to do this," Akiyama said thoughtfully, "but that's okay."
"You see," Seo said noticing the confused looks, "that our school offers a place to all magical children from the age of seven."
"I'm sorry," Kouki said shaking his head, "I'm still finding this a little hard to understand. School?"
"Magic school," Seo nodded. "Mahoutokoro is the school in Japan, and we are located in Kyoto. From the age of seven to ten we offer a place at our day school, and from the age 11 to 17 it is a boarding school."
"So, she would come home every day if she were to go to the school when she turns seven?" Sora asked.
"That's right," Seo said. "With magic, the distance isn't anything to talk about."
They talked more about the school and how it worked while Seiichi was listening a little stunned. He could feel Hana's excitement, though.
"It is a lot to take in," Sora said as she exchanged a look with Kouki. "But we want our daughter to have the best chance she can. If this is the best chance for her then we want that for her."
...
"What you also need to understand," Akiyama said after a while, "is that magic is a secret. There are laws that firmly state that we are not allowed to tell anyone about magic. The only reason you are allowed to know is that Hana-chan has magic, but none of your friends can be told."
Seiichi frowned a little while Hana looked disappointed.
"Oh? I can't tell Hari-nee?" Hana asked.
"Hari-nee?" Akiyama asked. "You have a sister?"
Seiichi blinked as he looked at Hana because he didn't think she had been calling Hari for nee-chan before, but he smiled a little.
"No, she's talking about my girlfriend, Echizen Hari," Seiichi said.
Akiyama got a pensive look on his face as he watched them but didn't say anything.
"Oh, I see," Seo said. "Then I'm afraid you can't tell her."
Hana sighed looking down, "but she would like it."
Seiichi stroked her hair comfortingly, "I know, but if it's the law then we can't do anything about it."
"Fine," Hana said. "But what if someone finds out?"
Seo looked at her seriously for a moment before he smiles a little.
"The ministry has people who work with that," Seo explains. "If someone who's not supposed to know about magic finds out then they will lose their memory of it. Magic can take away memories from someone who has been trained to do so. And there might be consequences for the one who revealed magic as well. In the worst-case scenario, they can be arrested and placed in prison, or they might get a fine."
"Oh," Hana said.
"There are exceptions for revealing magic," Seo said. "If you are in danger you are allowed to use magic to save yourself. If there is no other way out, but only then."
Seiichi saw the searching look from Akiyama and felt a little confused about it, but the man didn't say anything so Seiichi wasn't sure what to think.
...
Hisakawa was in the living room when Hari got back from school on Friday. She swallowed when she saw him wondering what he would say, and if he could help at all. She was in many ways glad it was the weekend now because she had barely managed to focus while she was at school. Her friends had given her looks of concern but hadn't asked and she had a feeling that Fuji and/or Ryoma had intervened and stopped the questions.
"Hello, Echizen," Hisakawa said.
"Hey," Hari said nervously. "Sorry, I'm late."
"That's fine," Hisakawa smiled. "I just arrived myself."
"Good," Hari nodded.
"Ah, Hari-chan," Rinko said as she entered the living room carrying a tray with tea. "Good, you are home."
Ryoma looked between them and then looked at Hari. He arched a brow and she knew he was wondering if she wanted him to stay. She smiled and shook her head. She would be fine.
"I'll see you later, then," Ryoma said and startling her a little pulled her into a hug. She hugged him back warmed that he had initiated the hug. "You're not alone."
"Thanks," Hari whispered as he left.
She put her bag down and walked over to the sofa and sat down next to Nanjiro.
"You said you had something you wanted to tell me," Hisakawa said.
Hari nodded swallowing back her nerves again.
"Yeah…" she said. "I…"
Hisakawa looked concernedly at her now. Hari took a deep breath and forced herself to calm down.
"I have a connection to Voldemort," Hari said bluntly.
"Excuse me?" Hisakawa frowned.
"I don't know how, but Professor Dumbledore said that there was a connection because of what happened," Hari said wondering if Hisakawa would know she was holding something back. "I can't explain it, but I can talk to snakes because of Voldemort. Professor Dumbledore said it was because Voldemort transferred some of his powers to me."
Hisakawa hummed, "I see."
"I… I saw… In a dream or not a dream, but I don't know how else to explain it," Hari frowned a little, "but I am sure that Voldemort is getting stronger."
Hisakawa stared at her, "he is getting stronger? He's still alive?"
"Yeah," Hari said. "I saw him in my first year at Hogwarts. He was possessing my Defence Against the Dark Arts teacher. He was stuck on the back of his head."
Hisakawa frowned. "How did that happen without anyone notice?"
"Don't know," Hari shrugged. "Quirrell always wore a turban, and he was strange. I…"
She paused before she told Hisakawa about her first year and how Quirrell had died before telling him what Dumbledore had said. She also told him about her second year and the diary.
"A diary that preserved his memory?" Hisakawa asked thoughtfully. "I've never heard of something like that."
"I hadn't either," she said.
Hisakawa shot her a sharp look, "but you have now?"
"I… I talk with a monk that works at the shrine leading to the magical district," Hari said. "He said it sounded like something called a Horcrux."
Hisakawa frowned, "I haven't heard of it."
Hari swallowed, "it's an object containing a piece of someone's soul."
Hisakawa blanched and paled, "and you think that the diary was one?"
"Yes," Hari said.
Hisakawa looked at her before he stood, "I need to get someone here that is more adept to talk about this. I will be back soon, okay?"
Hari nodded and watched as Hisakawa hurried out.
"It will be fine," Rinko said hugging Hari. "He is taking this seriously."
"Mm," Hari mumbled. "I don't like talking about this."
"I know," Nanjiro said. "You are very strong. We're so proud of you."
...
It didn't take long before Hisakawa was back with a tall man with dark hair that had started to turn white at the temples and with narrow eyes and a hook nose that seemed to have been broken a few times. Hari briefly wondered if it couldn't have been straightened by magic before pushing the thought away. A woman with short brown hair followed behind them again and she looked young but at the same time not. Her eyes were sharp but she had look on her face that told Hari that she was likely to be smiling.
They all looked serious, though.
"Hello," the woman said with a little wave. "I'm Toyama Kotonoha, and I'm an Auror. This is my boss, Togura Eriku, head auror."
The older man nodded in greeting and his eyes never left Hari who was resisting the urge to fiddle.
"I'm Echizen Hari," Hari said politely, "but I'm also Harriett Potter. This is my adoptive parents, Echizen Rinko and Nanjiro."
She knew she had to tell them who she really was, or had been, but it still felt wrong. She wanted to run but she remained standing there. She saw the slight widening of Toyama's eyes but Togura didn't react.
"I see," Togura said. "I was wondering why Hisakawa was so insistent that we came."
"Why don't we all sit down?" Rinko asked.
They nodded and they all sat down. Hari noticed for the first time that they were both wearing their wizarding cloaks and it was white in colour.
Hisakawa gave an explanation of what Hari had told him and Hari kept an eye on the two newcomers to see how they reacted. She saw the horror in Toyama's eyes, but Togura kept a serious look on his face but didn't react otherwise.
"You are sure Voldemort is still alive?" Togura asked looking over at Hari when Hisakawa finished talking.
"Yes," Hari said. "I know he is. He is weaker, though. He… I don't know, but when I saw him, he was merely a spirit or something like that. He said he was dependent on others to live. He was possessing Quirrell."
"This is troubling," Togura said. "I take it that he is set on targeting you."
"I believe so," Hari said trying to be calm. "The…the connection between us… it let me see into his mind or something at times. I don't really understand how it works, but it has something to do with what went wrong the night he tried to kill me. I know he's working on getting back, and that he is looking for me."
Togura nodded.
"Why did you leave Britain, Potter-san?" Toyama asked.
Hari glanced at her before looking away, "because I wanted to be me. Everyone always sees me as the Girl Who Lived and didn't think it was anything wrong with me having met Voldemort two times already and almost been killed. It was like it was expected. I don't… I can't do that."
"They expected you to meet Voldemort?" Toyama asked. "When you were 11 and 12?"
"Maybe not so young, but it was like if there was anyone who should, it should be me," Hari said. "Even after my first year and my first meeting with Voldemort, it seemed like Professor Dumbledore thought I had a right to see him or something. That he wanted me to test myself against Voldemort."
"A child should not be put on a path to a magical dark lord," Toyama frowned looking over at Togura. "That's not right."
"Agreed," Togura said. "We will need to work quickly and quietly about this."
Hari blinked, "You will help?"
"You are a Japanese citizen now, Potter-san," Togura said.
"Echizen," Nanjiro interrupted. "She's an Echizen now."
Togura looked at him for a moment before he nodded.
"My apologies," Togura said, "Echizen-san. And as a Japanese citizen, you have rights and we will do our best to protect you."
...
Hari wasn't sure what to feel when she finally was on her own again. She was grateful that they seemed to be willing to help and a little surprised that they were. It was a relief that they had taken her seriously because she had expected that they would just see her as a paranoid kid who didn't know what she was talking about. But they had listened and asked questions and seemed inclined to help.
It was more than she had hoped for, so she should be happy.
But she was staring at her phone now and saw that she had missed another call from Seiichi and felt her stomach drop. She was breaking their agreement now. She should have told him she needed time, but she had ignored him.
What should she do? She couldn't tell him… she couldn't lie to him. So, she did nothing and that was wrong too.
"Hari-chan?" Rinko poked her head in and frowned when she saw Hari staring at her phone without responding to her. So Rinko stepped into the room and walked over to the bed and saw Hari staring at the icon signalling missed calls. "Hari?"
Hari startled and looked up and Rinko frowned a little. The lost look was back, and she had thought that Hari had looked a little relieved when Hisakawa and the two Aurors had left.
"Okaa-chan," Hari said. "What should I do?"
"About what?" Rinko asked before sitting down on the bed.
"Sei-chan called again," Hari said. "I… I don't know how to talk to him now. I can't… I don't want to lie, but I can't tell him the truth… and I'm dangerous. He deserves someone…someone who's not dirty."
"Echizen Hari," Rinko said reaching out and gently grabbed Hari's chin before tilting her head up so she was forced to look at her. "You are not dirty. You are not! Do you hear? You are strong and good, and so much more."
"But…"
"I know this is hard," Rinko said. "You have a lot going on now and it might seem to be too much. But you came here because you wanted to live a normal life, right?"
"Yes…" Hari said softly.
"I want you to keep doing that," Rinko said. "See your friends… see your boyfriend… do what you normally do, and live. That is the way you win, Hari. You win by living your life and being happy. When it's too much you come and talk to me or to Nanjiro. Ryoma and Ryoga are also here for you and we will get you through this, okay?"
Hari stared at her for a moment before she nodded slowly and wondered if she really could do that.
...
...
AN: What do you think? XD
So, I'm a little curious (and nervous) about how you'll react to Hana being a muggleborn witch. It's something I've been considering for a bit, and have had some questions/requests about doing. So, I ended up going for it. XD
Also, a lot of information in the latest chapters, but we will be getting more back to tennis again soon! I promise. XD
Thank you for reading and your support! XD