CHAPTER 27 - AN OLD FRIEND

Watari stood in the entrance hall. He was watching what happened there through the tracking spell and he was surprised. He was surprised what kind of a mess L was able to cause when he was not even present.

That day, Sunday morning Watari woke up early and headed straight to the school orphanage. It was situated 20 minutes away from the castle. He visited every Sunday. But this Sunday he and others in the orphanage had lots of work, because they wanted to celebrate L's 25th birthday. Watari was going to send for L later and the boy was supposed to act surprised when he arrived. Although, they did the same thing every year. For many years now, it was more about the orphans than L himself. They loved him, idolized him and they just wanted to spend more time with him.

When around 3 PM an owl with a message urging Watari to immediately come back to the castle came, he was sure there would be no celebration that evening. Because the message mentioned injured students. Later on, when all the injured were taken care of, Watari headed to the entrance hall to investigate what happened. He conjured Appare Vestigium and watched golden grains of sand floating through the air. The spell revealed a scene of jealousy and envy. Watari shook his head. He expected Light's schoolmates might react badly if the boy really got all his points. But this event went far beyond all the worst possible scenarios he had in mind.

Children can be so cruel… Watari thought but by no means he was excusing the part that Light Yagami and L took in all this. He was not surprised that the cruel notes from his schoolmates drove Light over the edge but what was surprising, was the amount of magical power he obviously possessed. The power, which was until now hidden to the rest of the school. Including professors. Watari couldn't help but wonder, if Light himself knew about the power inside him. Or if it was just making its way out of him. He also wondered if L knew about it.

Of course he knows… Watari thought when he cleaned the hall with his magic. That's most likely the reason why L is so fascinated with Light. Raw power in pretty omega. Sounds like something L would fall for.

Watari turned around and headed to L's cabinet. He needed to talk to his protegée. L was nowhere to be seen the whole day and that was strange itself. But it wasn't bothering Watari at that moment. He needed to know what exactly L knew about Light's hidden power. He needed to know how dangerous it was. And if possible, they needed to make a plan on how to cope with it.

Watari was slowly moving his head from side to side while mumbling to himself: "I don't know what L was thinking. If he knows the boy is unstable with his power he shouldn't be throwing him into situations like this."

Watari's mind reminded him that L didn't have that much experience with human interaction and he was only debuting as a teacher. He couldn't do everything right from the start. Maybe if Watari took more time with him and assisted, it could have ended less dramatic. Then he shook his head at the thought and pursed his lips into hard line:

No! No excuses this time! He is an adult! He has to take responsibility for this! Watari told himself: I will give him a piece of mind!

"L?! We need to talk!" Watari opened the door to L's cabinet and had an angry look on his face. L who was in the middle of conjuring protective spells just rolled his eyes: "What's wrong with people today? Everyone is coming to my cabinet without knocking."

Watari didn't like his tone at all. L obviously knew why Watari was there and he was going to act on his alpha nature. That side of L's personality always moved Watari's nerves.

"L Lawliet!" The old man yelled, which didn't happen often. L's eyes widened a bit. This was a second person that day yelling at him. And he hated yelling. He clenched his fists and turned his back on his guardian. He didn't want to piss off the old man even more with his facial expressions. L waved the wand again and continued with protective magic again. He tried to react as calmly as he could:

"Watari, this is really not a good time. I need to be in Hogsmeade in 30 minutes."

"Don't you dare run away from this! This is not how I raised you!" Watari said sharply.

L abruptly turned around and gave his guardian a confused look. He had a good idea what this was about. About Light's points. But the reaction was much stronger than L thought was necessary. He answered with the same harsh tone: "I am not running away! Damn, Watari, you could know me well enough to know that's not my style!"

"Then what are you…" Watari started but didn't finish when he watched L's wand break free its master's grip. In a second a small piece of paper suddenly flew in front of Watari's face. He read it and his rage was all gone, replaced by curiosity and worries.

"Where did you find it?"

"My desk, after I returned from the tourney. Whoever left it here was smart enough not to trigger any of my traps."

"Which excludes students." Watari said and started rubbing his mustache while examining the hand writing.

L nodded and put hands on his hips while talking: "Yes. It's not the handwriting of anyone I teach. I am quite sure. And there is no magic on the paper, so the handwriting was not altered."

"Do you think it's case related?" Watari asked. Because there were certainly other possibilities.

"I am sure."

Watari frowned at his protegé: "And you were about to go there, without telling anyone?"

L shook his head: "No. I was about to stop at the orphanage to tell you, but you were faster."

Watari started slowly moving his head from side to side as a sign of disapproval: "L… this kind of thing should have been discussed with your team."

L only waved him off and started pacing the room while speaking: "There was not enough time. They wouldn't be all gathered in time. It was either waiting for them or trying to identify the handwriting which is… as you can see, what I tried to do." L finished and showed Watari the mess of papers all around.

Watari frowned "And you found something?"

L fell down to a chair and let out an exhausted sign: "No… and no magic helped me. But I know I saw the handwriting before! I just can't figure out where… Not here at school and it's obviously not anyone from my past cases."

Watari, who still held the note in his hand examined it one more time: "I must say L, that this handwriting is familiar to me too."

"What?! You saw that before?!" L spat in surprise and narrowed his spine.

The old man sat down on a chair, opposite L: "Yes L, I am quite sure of that. But I am also not aware where. With all the handwriting I see daily at school, or in scrolls during my research, it's hard to sort."

"Damn it…" L let out nervously. He worked practically all day and he still didn't have a clue who he was standing against. It was not usual for him to go out unprepared.

"You should have come to me earlier, L. We could have sorted some areas we have incommon and the search could have been more effective." Watari said calmly and didn't mean to scold the boy. He only stated the fact.

"Yeah… I should have." L said he gripped the armrest of his chair while frowning deeply.

Watari wanted to say something about L teaching his students how to cooperate with each other and not acting on his own teachings, but he decided not to. Those moments when the boy admitted he made a mistake were rare. So he cleared his throat and asked:

"So… you are going there? Just like that?"

L nodded: "I can't let this opportunity slip."

"It could be a trap."

"I know. But I don't have much of a choice. Give me an hour and a half and if I won't come back, alert the task force. But I have a feeling like you won't have too."

Watari frowned. L was not a person to have visions or make prophecies. It was one of a few things he really had no talent for. Unlike his late mother, who was practically a walking oraculum. Watari always wondered if this ability would wake up in L later.

L noticed the old man eyeing him suspiciously and knew exactly what he was thinking: "No vision. Just a gut feeling."

Watari nodded and there was a silence between them. He briefly thought about telling L about what happened with the hourglasses, but he decided not to. It would only distract him from his task and that was undesirable. Hourglasses could wait a few hours. And Watari was able to handle the situation himself, if it was necessary.

It was L, who broke the silence after a minute, much looking much more serene than before:

"I know you probably came to discuss Yagami's points but…"

"It can wait… the case has a higher priority." Watari cut him off. "Go. And stay on alert, my boy."

L nodded and headed to the door: "I will."

Shrieking Shack was the same mess as L remembered. Half destroyed, creepy house full of strange noises which made one's hair stand behind his neck. He was walking slowly, double checking behind every corner before stepping into another aisle. He even took a second wand with him. In case of emergency his wand was able to operate by itself and he could use a second one. It was a good precaution. One he only forgot to take once in his life. Eight months ago when he followed Beyond to an emergency mission which turned out to be a trap. A trap set by Beyond himself. L shivered at the memory and he instantly felt pain in his leg. But that was only a physical pain. BB's deranged face when he was watching L suffer under Cruciatus was another kind of pain. A one, L couldn't forget easily. And never forgive. Betrayal.

Of course, L thought about the possibility it was BB who sent the note. It was not his handwriting but he could have made anyone write the note. If it was the case, L was ready this time. Two wands, additional layers of protective spells and animosity against the man he once called a friend.
L turned behind another corner to find himself in a destroyed living room. Window was shattered and the rain was pouring into the room. L wanted to go to the window, to look out, if he would see someone coming to the Shrack when suddenly, he felt someone's presence behind him. L quickly turned around, his wand aimed at the person.

"It's impolite to aim your wand against an old friend." A man in a hood said and L's blood froze in his veins. He knew that voice... And that figure...

Impossible… he thought and gripped his wand tightly, still aiming at the man who showed L his bare hands and then slowly took down his hood. L's eyes went impossibly wide and his mouth fell open. He was unable to keep his emotions under control in that moment. In front of him a man his age stood. He was not very tall, had a slim figure, sharp face features, piercing blue eyes and short blond hair that stood wildly on his head.

"A…" L breathed out the name and for some reason, his hands started shaking.

A smiled softly: "Hi, L…"

"But… you… you died!" L stuttered, his mind blank.

A smiled softly: "Not yet, L. Not yet."

L was suffering to accept who he was seeing: "But… that's… impossible. I was there, I saw you die!"

"It was a trap L." A explained calmly and put his hands in pockets of his purple coat: "I faked my death. But I never thought you would fall for that."

L's eyes narrowed. It didn't make any sense: "Why would you do that?"

"I was in a situation that couldn't be solved and I needed an escape." The man said patiently and looked much calmer than L remembered. He remembered a nervous, shy omegan boy, who stayed out of trouble and kept a low profile. But the man in front of him was standing tall, looking him straight in the eyes.

"What situation?" L spat at him, his wand still aiming at the blonde man, whose hair changed color to light blue at the moment.

"It doesn't really matter now. I am here to tell you something." A stated.

"Tell me what?"

"It's about the Kira case…"

"About what?" L asked quickly, not to let A know anything. The case was classified. And the fact that A knew about it meant they had serious problems with security.

A chuckled and eyed his shoes before looking back at L in amusement: "You don't have to hide it from me, I have my contacts. I know you are in charge of the investigation. I have information for you."

"I don't know what you are talking about…" L stated, still in alert, but he was dying to know whatever information A could have. He couldn't ask directly about it, but he could always arrest A for faking his death, if he wouldn't get the information the normal way. And A looked more than willing to share whatever information he had, no matter how much L would deny his part in the case.

A folded his hands on his chest: "Yes, it's a top secret case, I get it. But I need you to listen."

"And I need to know where you were for the last 3 years!" L spat at him angrily in effort to dismiss his certainty about L working at the case. But L also wanted to know what really happened to this man. It wasn't every day that an omega was able to trick him. And with something that big like faking his death.

"I know what links all the wizards that were murdered by Kira in the past 4 years." A said, completely ignoring L's question.

Now that got L's attention. He tilted his head and watched the omega narrow his spine before he said:

"They were animagi."

L's expression did not change at all. He still wore the same face as always, not to let out how surprised he was. But he shouldn't be surprised because it was impossible. They checked the animagus registry. And only two of all the dead were there. So what A said should be impossible unless...

"I know what you are thinking about…" A started again when he saw L's wheels moving behind his eyes: "...they were not in registers. But you are also unregistered Animagus, if I remember it right."

L needed to think about this. Yes, A was right. The truth was, many Animagi were not in the registry. For good reasons. With power like that one was constantly under surveillance once he was registered. He himself had the ability but he was using it as little as possible. He didn't want anyone to know.

But how many people in the world are like that? L asked himself. It was known in the public that numbers of wizards with the ability to turn into an animal form were increasing. But how much? Is it possible that all 50 wizarding pairs murdered in the past 4 years were Animagi? And why would Kira choose to kill Animagi?

L's eyes found A's. He couldn't tell him anything. He couldn't ask him anything without admitting he was really working on this case. But he needed to check on this theory. And then, if it turns out true, he needs to find out who A is taking his information from.

"Well… thank you for this information. It would be better if I knew what you were talking about but…" L started and made a few steps back, heading to the exit. But he never turned his back to the man and never took down his wand.

"I know you don't trust me. I can't blame you. But you can verify this information."

L stopped while the man continued:

"I was asked to give you this information by the Animagi league."

L tilted his head: "The Animagi league?"

"It's a secret society of unregistered Animagi wizards." A explained.

"If it's a secret society, why would they want me to know about them?"

"They considered it better to have you on their side in this situation."

"Why?"

"Because you don't play by the rules. So you wont judge them for doing the same."

L let go of his wand and it stayed in the air, still aimed at A while L brought a thumb to his lower lip. He simply needed this little gesture to think:

"Mmmm… I see. It's better to be an Animagi in secret. It can be useful, especially in the battle. But I still can't see what they expect me to do?"

"They know you are after ancient artefacts to find some explanation to Kira's power. They were thinking about starting the same research but they dont have such a strong position and resources as you do. They believe that you might be more effective with the information that Kira is actually, after Animagi."

L narrowed his spine and put hands to his pockets: "And you fit into this story exactly… how?"

"I am just a messenger." A offered with confidence and his eyes never left L's. L could almost believe the theater if A was an alpha. But he wasn't. He was an omega. And that's why L knew it was a lie. He chuckled ironically: "Bullshit. You made a good job making everyone believe you were dead for years. Now you suddenly appear out of nowhere and you are just a messenger?"

A's facade didnt crack at that: "Maybe you'll be surprised, but it's not exactly easy to get to you. Not many people know what you really look like. Except for Hogwarts now but… the league doesn't have its members between students."

"So they chose you, because you know me?" L asked with a raised eyebrow.

"Yes…"

"And they know that because…"

There was a moment of hesitation from A. Barely noticeable, but L saw it.

"I am a member…"

"No, you aren't." L spat at him.

A ran his hand through his hair and let out a long sigh. He was losing his composure: "L… this is not really important."

"It is important, if you want me to believe you… and I know you are not a member of a league because you are not an Animagus. You are a Metamorphmagus, which puts you in a slightly different category."

"But that doesnt mean I can't be a member."

"So you're telling me…" L started and wildly gestured with his hands to make a small theater himself: "...that you are a member of this… secret league and you guys decided to contact me, because you believe I work on some Kira case and…"

"L, please, stop insulting my intelligence." A suddenly cut him off and folded hands on his chest.

"I think it's you insulting my intelligence, Alec, by not telling the whole story." L said slowly, with the voice full of arrogance. For a moment he wished he didn't have a suppressant spell on. Because he could try to bend the omega a bit. But it turned out to be unnecessary. The use of a certain alpha tone and the man's given name did the job.

"Alright. Alright as you want. I am not a member of the Animagi league. But I know someone who is and that someone knows I grew up with you. So they asked me to deliver the message. That's all."

L tilted his head: "Can you be more specific?"

"Aggrrr, I forgot what an ass you are…" Alec let out in desperation and that was exactly what L needed. It's been years, but he still knew this man well enough to know how to cope with him.

"Alright, that's enough. I am leaving." L stated and headed to the exit while talking: "You should stop by at the orphanage. I am sure Mrs. Dotty and other personnel will be happy to find out you are alive. Goodbye."

"No! L, wait!" Alec suddenly shouted and L couldn't help but smirk. He had the man exactly where he wanted him.

"What?!" He spat and turned around.

"If I will let you meet my contact, will you believe me?" Alec asked and his head was slightly lowered. A sign of submission from an omega. At that moment L knew it was important for the man. And he definitely had more to do with the topic than he said before.

"Will the contact be able to get me straight to the leaders of the league?" L asked and watched A's spine narrowing in realization.

"You manipulative son of a bi…" Alec gritted between his teeth and wanted to say more, but L cut him off:

"Stop the sweet talk, Alec and answer the question!"

There was a moment of silence, when A was studying L with his eyes. Suddenly it seemed that it was A who had a reason not to believe L. He was clearly not sure what to do. It took a whole minute before he finally spoke:

"Yes. I think he could do that. The question is, if they will want to."

L snorted arrogantly: "I don't care. If they want my help they will have to talk to me in person."

Author's note: Mmm... a new figure in a play... I wonder what that means! Any theories?! :P

And btw. the story just got over 100 K words. Unbelievable! Thank you for all the support! You guys inspire me to go on! Love you so much!

J.