Disclaimer: I don't own Harry Potter or Prince of Tennis!
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"Parseltongue"
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Two weeks later
...
"So…" Fuji said looking at her and Hari almost rolled her eyes, but she knew he was just worried.
"I'm fine, Shu-chan," she said.
"Hmm," he didn't sound convinced. "So, what do you think we have to go through at practice today?"
"Eh, who knows," Hari shrugged but smiled a little, "Otou-chan has been secretive."
"Yeah, Hari couldn't even get him to tell us," Ryoma said joining them at the court. "She tried."
"Well, I wanted to know," Hari shrugged while Fuji laughed a little.
"I can't believe that it's only a couple of weeks until nationals begin," Kikumaru said.
"It is almost time now," Oishi agreed. "Will you be able to play by then Tezuka?"
Tezuka nodded and allowed a small smile.
"Yes," he said. "I should be cleared soon to play."
"Good," Hari said smiling at him.
She tried really hard to keep her focus on the present and not on the fact that Seiichi was coming to Tokyo tomorrow and would come over to her house to spend the day with her and her family. She just had to go to the shrine first and have her session with the monk and Arata.
"He probably has found another way to push our limits," Momoshiro said. "I miss the days I can move after practice."
"Don't be so dramatic," Hari said.
"Stupid peach," Kaido hissed. "What a ridiculous fruit."
"Oi!" Momoshiro yelled glaring at Kaido. "What are you…"
"Calm down," Kawamura said calmly. "Coach is here."
Hari looked and saw Nanjiro having walked up and was looking at them with an amused little smile.
"Ah, you interrupted my fun," Nanjiro said. "Well, let's get started with today's practice. The Nationals is close and today we will be working on your volley and smash. But first… you get to run."
...
They ran laps around the court until Nanjiro deemed them done (luckily there was no Inui juice this time) and Hari was pleased to notice that they were all able to run more laps than before.
They paired up like they normally did lately, and Hari ended up with Kikumaru who beamed at her.
"Ready, Hari-chan?" Kikumaru asked bouncing in place.
"As I'll ever be," Hari said.
It was something Nanjiro had started doing when he took over for Ryuzaki (temporarily) to dedicate practices on specific things he wanted them to work on. While they all had aspects of the game they were stronger at (like Momoshiro and his smash) they all needed to know and grow stronger on other aspects as well. Fundamental aspects that everyone needed to develop and use more to become a balanced player.
"This exercise will also mean working on closing down the net," Nanjiro said looking at them. "A lot of players are scared to come close to the net because they fear that their opponent will lob the ball over them. But with this drill, we will be working on making your footwork better so you can handle this more easily and you'll feel that you can handle balls that go high or deep in the court."
Hari liked seeing this side of Nanjiro. He didn't seem bored or cocky as he got into this teaching mode. It wasn't like how he taught Ryoma or even her at home, there he would just play and make them realize things on their own. No, this was clearly explaining what he wanted them to do and why. It showed just how much he knew about tennis.
"So, you'll work on closing down the net with a volley when someone has lobbed you, so one volley and one smash," Nanjiro continued. "Now, get to it!"
They spread out making use of all the courts as they prepared to do what they were told to do. Nanjiro and Tezuka went around to help and give pointers.
Hari and Kikumaru took turns in who would be at the net and who would lob the ball. It was actually fun and also harder than one would think.
...
Nanjiro watched as Hari worked and was pleased to see that she managed to keep her focus on the practice. He knew she had a lot on her mind, and he had considered suggesting for her that she would take a break from tennis. He didn't like the idea, but if it would be too much for her then it was better that she took a break. And the ritual she needed to do (and sacred him almost senseless) would be done right after the nationals. It was barely over when the moon-thing that the monk had talked about happened.
He was…scared. He would admit that, and he worried that this would be too much for Hari to handle, and what if she were exhausted by the time they had to do the ritual and that would affect her? The questions came and went as the days passed, but Hari kept going. She focused on the practice with more determination than he had expected and seemed set on winning the nationals.
Rinko told him that she found it easier to focus on her tennis than thinking about the ritual and how much it scared her. That it was a good distraction for her through everything else that was going on. He understood that, but he longed to shield her from everything and hide her away from all that was hurting her. Unfortunately, he knew he couldn't do that, and he didn't need Rinko to tell him, but it didn't mean that he didn't wish for it.
He focused back on the task at hand and smiled a little. Pairing Hari with Kikumaru had been a good choice since they both were acrobatic and more flexible than the others so they could challenge each other well.
"Come on, Kikumaru-senpai," Hari called out. "One more time!"
"Yes!" Kikumaru said determinedly.
Nanjiro shifted his focus over to Fuji and Kawamura and walked over to them.
"Try to move a little faster," Nanjiro said looking at Kawamura. "You need to balance the strength you use in your lobs, so they don't go over the entire court."
"Yes, coach," Kawamura said.
Nanjiro stepped back and let them go back to their playing and smiled a little as Kawamura did as told and managed to adjust the strength he used. He was an interesting player, really. Nanjiro found it fascinating that he seemed to change his entire personality when he held a racket.
Fuji didn't seem to have any problems with the drill which was just as Nanjiro had predicted. The boy really was a genius when it came to tennis. Not even Ryoma could quite measure up, but Ryoma had different strengths again that Fuji lacked.
Tezuka was over by Ryoma and Momoshiro having already talked to Nanjiro about how he wanted to follow Ryoma up more than the others and Nanjiro had allowed it. He knew Ryoma had a rivalry of sort going with Tezuka and both looked up to the older boy and wanting to beat him.
...
"Finally," Momoshiro said as he collapsed on the court breathing hard. "Echizen you are killing me!"
"Which one are you talking about?" Hari asked looking at him amused.
"All of you," Momoshiro said dramatically. "It should be a law against putting so many of you in one team!"
Ryoma snorted, "blame coach Ryuzaki for putting Oyaji here."
"We're getting stronger, though, nya," Kikumaru said as he leaned over Hari's shoulder.
"We are," Oishi said. "I'm glad he agreed."
"I miss coach Ryuzaki, though," Horio and Kachiro said at the same time.
"We all do," Kawamura said kindly. "But it's important that she gets rest so she's ready for Nationals."
"All is good data," Inui said scribbling in his notebook.
Hari shook her head a little as she made her way toward the changing room to get changed and grab her bag. She quickly changed and got ready before leaving the changing room and locked the door behind her.
Her phone buzzed and she fished it up from her pocket and saw that it was Keigo. She blinked once before she accepted the call.
"Hey, Keigo," Hari said.
"Hari-chan," Keigo said. "Meet me at the entrance to your school."
He ended the call and Hari sighed. He was so demanding, she thought. She shrugged a little to herself. It wasn't like she didn't need to go that way anyway so she could just go and see what he wanted now.
"Ready?" Ryoma asked.
"Sure, but Keigo is waiting;" Hari said.
"What does the monkey king want?" Ryoma huffed.
Hari shrugged, "don't know yet."
She ignored the annoyed look on Ryoma's face as she continued to walk toward the school gate and even fought back an amused huff. Ryoma had been following her more closely lately, and while it was a little annoying (she wasn't a little kid) she allowed it knowing that it was his way of showing that he cared. (And it warmed her that he cared that much).
She saw Keigo standing at the school gate looking calm as ever and attracting looks from the still lingering students that were now making their way home after various clubs.
"Keigo," Hari said. "What are you doing here?"
"You've been ignoring me lately," Keigo said. "So I'm here to collect on the dinner you owe me."
"She's not your slave," Ryoma glared.
Keigo just arched a brow.
Hari grimaced a little. She knew she had been distant lately and she should have expected him to show up like this, really. She nodded. It wasn't like she didn't want to see him.
"Okay," she said and stopped Ryoma from protesting. "It's fine, Ryo-chan. I have been neglecting him lately, so I owe him dinner. You go home and I'll see you later, okay?"
Ryoma looked at her for a moment before he sighed, "fine."
...
Hari followed Keigo into a small restaurant and was led to a table in the corner before being handed menus. She would have sighed at the fanciness of the place if she hadn't become used to it having met him like this often enough.
Hari was aware of the searching looks she got from Keigo as they talked about random things and she knew she would have to offer some explanations (who didn't she owe explanations to at this point?) she also knew he would respect the boundaries she set.
"Okaa-san told me to remind you that you have to come over sometime for dinner and that you can bring your boyfriend if you like," Keigo said when the food arrived.
"Right," Hari said. "Maybe after nationals? Things are kind of hectic at the moment."
Keigo looked at her before he nodded.
"We're going to nationals as well," he suddenly said.
"You are?" Hari asked both pleased and confused since she thought his school hadn't qualified.
"Yes," Keigo said.
"You don't look happy about it," Hari observed.
"I feel like it's a free shot," Keigo admitted. "We didn't play our way there but were offered because the nationals are held in Tokyo this year and therefore Tokyo gets another spot."
Hari hummed, "well you got it because you were next in line then, I assume."
"Maybe," Keigo said picking at his food.
"Huh, you are upset," Hari looked at him.
He frowned at her, "you don't think I should be?"
Hari smiled a little, "well, that's not really what I meant. I can understand it feels a little unfair but then again, it's not your decision to make. If the ones organizing the nationals have decided that your school is the one they want to offer the extra spot to, then you have earned it in your own way. If you want to show you've earned the spot, then play your best and show that you are good enough to be at the nationals."
He looked pensive and nodded slowly, "I guess you have a point."
"Of course, I do," Hari said making him laugh.
...
Rinko was tired but pleased. She had worked tirelessly for the last couple of weeks after learning that Hari was featured in books without her consent. Tomoya, the auror that had come to help with their situation, had helped her to get in touch with a lawyer that worked with an international organization. While it wasn't normal for them to take on cases like this, Hidaka Rimari (the lawyer), had agreed to help when she learned who it was about and why.
Rinko had explained that they wanted to keep anyone from following the paperwork back to Hari's location. She knew that Hari's involvement in the lawsuit would be obvious and impossible to hide, but she didn't want it to reveal where she was. Not right now.
She had considered waiting. Talked it over with Hidaka who understood the concern pointed out that it would be best to react right away, otherwise they might take advantage of Hari knowing about it and not doing anything. Rinko thought it was ridiculous but agreed that it might be best to go ahead right away. And it was time that someone (meaning everyone) realized that Hari was a young girl who had an unreasonable amount of pressure and expectations put on her shoulders without any thought about how she felt about it all. It made Rinko furious to think that no one reacted to the clear misuse of a minor and her rights.
So, together with Hidaka, they had put through the lawsuit quickly. Rinko was impressed with the other women and how effectively she worked as she prepared the lawsuit and filed it. It should already be out now, and the reactions would soon be known.
She just wished she could do more to protect Hari. She wanted to make sure that she was safe and happy, but it was so hard when there was a part of the world she didn't have open access to or understanding off.
Rinko yawned as she heard the door open and she guessed that Hari must be back from her dinner with Keigo. Ryoma had grumbled about it when he came home, but Rinko had been pleased. She was glad Hari saw her friends and started to get back to her normal day-to-day life.
...
Hari was actually pleased when she got home later and was glad Keigo had shown up. She had gotten too isolated with all the magic things going on lately that she had ignored everyone else (not knowingly but still), and it was a good reminder that she had people who cared about her. Besides, Rinko had urged her to keep going like before and see her friends.
"Hari-chan," Rinko greeted when she stepped into the living room. "Ryoma said you went out with Atobe."
"Yeah, I've been neglecting him lately," Hari admitted with a grimace, "so he showed up demanding dinner."
"Did you have a good time?" Rinko asked.
"Yes," Hari said. "I did. I think I needed it."
"Good," Rinko smiled. "Are you ready for Seiichi-san coming tomorrow?"
"Mm," Hari nodded. "Almost. I just have to finish the homework Kasuya gave me. I want to have it done so I can focus on Sei-chan when I get back from the shrine tomorrow."
"Okay," Rinko said. "Be sure you don't push yourself too much."
"I will," Hari said and with that turned and walked up the stairs to her room. She glanced at the puzzle she had framed and hung up above the bed and smiled a little at the reminder of how much Seiichi cared before walking over to her desk and sat down preparing to work on her transfiguration homework.
Despite wanting to get away from magic she found herself more focused on it now than she had been in a very long time. It seemed to be impossible to get away from it, but for once it didn't seem as much of a burden as it once did.
She had almost finished the essay when she got a text and picked up her phone to read it. She smiled a little.
Hey, Hari-chan. I'm at my aunt and uncle's house now. Just got in. I look forward to tomorrow. See you soon. Seiichi.
She quickly typed her reply back before putting her phone away again. They had talked every day since they had found out that the other knew about magic. Hari had told him some stories about magic and her schooling without going into too many details. But she opened up more and the more she talked the more she found she wanted to talk.
...
Seiichi was looking forward to going over to see Hari and spend time with her and her family. He couldn't say he knew them very well yet, but he wanted to get to know them. Even if her dad was slightly intimidating.
He liked how Hari opened up to him now telling him about her schooling at Hogwarts and her friends. She really had been holding back before, and he couldn't help but be pleased that she was now able to share more of herself with him.
Was it strange that he was just fifteen and already so sure that he wanted her in his life for a long time?
He didn't care, though. Maybe they would be together for a long time, maybe not… though, he really hoped for the first one. But what mattered was how he felt now and what he wanted now.
He rang the doorbell and waited for someone to answer and blinked when he saw Ryoga suddenly in front of himself.
"Hey, Yukimura," Ryoga smiled. "You're right on time. Hari-chan just got back and went to change."
"Thanks," Seiichi said following the older boy into the house where Rinko greeted him warmly. Ryoma was just coming down the stairs and just nodded.
"You're here brat," Nanjiro said.
"Hey," Seiichi said.
"Otou-chan be nice," Hari said as she came down. "Hey, Sei-chan."
"Hari-chan," Seiichi smiled not caring about her family in the room at the moment. "How are you?"
"Tired," she shrugged. "But good."
Hari felt a little awkward just standing there with no one really saying anything and finally just rolled her eyes and grabbed Seiichi's hand.
"Come on," she said. "Let's go out in the garden."
Seiichi smiled and followed her out and was almost surprised when no one else followed them. He thought he saw Nanjiro twitch, but he remained seated.
"It's nothing like your garden," Hari said with a small smile.
Seiichi would agree with that, but then again, he did work more than average on it.
"It's private, though," Seiichi said. "And nice."
"Mm," Hari said. "Guess so. I wish it was a little more private so I could fly here, but it's too close to other houses."
"You miss flying?" Seiichi asked.
"It was one of my favourite things to do," Hari admitted. "I've only been once since I got here. My tutor, Kasuya, brought me to his place once."
Seiichi fought down the jealousy he immediately felt but she seemed to have seen it if her lips twitching was any indication. He sighed.
"Maybe we can find a place one day where we can fly and you can come?" Hari asked.
"I could fly?" Seiichi asked.
"If I were on the broom with you," Hari said thoughtfully. "It should work."
"Maybe," Seiichi agreed though he was interested.
...
They settled in the garden and Hari was glad it was a nice day out that allowed them to sit outside. She liked the air and felt freer as she sat there with Seiichi at her side. She knew that she needed to explain more to him now, it was time to really tell him what was going on lately.
She had promised to give him an explanation.
"Hey," Seiichi said breaking the silence that had stretched out between them. "You don't have to tell me anything."
She glanced at him and saw that he meant it.
"I promised," she said.
"I have had time to think," Seiichi said, "and I know I don't understand magic as well yet. I don't understand everything that's going on around you and have no right to make you tell me anything you don't feel comfortable telling me."
Hari smiled a little the weight lightening slightly as she saw the sincerity and care she wasn't sure she deserved.
"Thank you," Hari said, "but I want to tell you."
Well, that might be stretching it a little. She didn't exactly want to tell him, but she knew he deserved the truth if she wanted to continue their relationship. She didn't want to lie anymore.
"You already guessed that Voldemort still is out there," Hari said deciding to just jump into it before he said anything else. She wasn't sure she wouldn't back out if he offered once more.
"Yes," Seiichi frowned. "I've been thinking about that…"
Hari grimaced but didn't look at him as she focused on a random spot in the garden.
"The curse I survived…it wasn't something I was supposed to have survived," Hari said. "It's one of the unforgivable curses, the killing curse, it kills anything it touches. There's no protection against it other than dodging out of reach…"
Seiichi paled a little but didn't say anything. He wasn't sure he could get any words out even if he wanted to.
"It…created something," Hari continued. "A connection of sorts."
"What does that mean?" Seiichi asked when she paused.
"I can sometimes see into his mind," Hari said grimacing. "Like I know things he does. Has powers that he has and I shouldn't have…"
...
Seiichi tried to process what she was saying but it was a lot. Magic was new and it wasn't easy to suddenly realize that things he had seen as impossible suddenly was possible. He looked at Hari and saw that the tension was back in her shoulders and she looked pale and resigned. It looked like she was preparing for rejection and he realized that she really was scared he would walk away.
He wanted to make that look go away, but he wasn't sure how or what this really meant…
"What does that mean?" he asked again.
She inhaled and got a determined look on her face. He saw that she was steeling herself for something and felt a flash of dread deep in his gut.
"I have a part of his soul inside of me," Hari blurted out and he blinked.
Why did he feel more confused by everything she said? But that didn't sound good…
"I'm keeping him alive," Hari said looking away from him again. "He didn't mean for this connection, I know that, and I don't want it. I… can't keep it. I am sorry that I pulled away from you, but I didn't know how to act like I was fine… when I found out I just… But it's not an excuse. I should have said something. I know that. I will understand if you…if you don't want…an-anything to do with me anymore. I…"
She sounded so vulnerable and small that Seiichi couldn't stop himself from reaching out and take her hand in his squeezing it lightly. She stilled even more before her eyes looked down to look at their connecting hands.
"I'm not going anywhere," he said. "I don't really understand all of this, but I'm not going to leave."
"You should," she whispered. "I'm not good enough…"
"Yes, you are!" Seiichi interrupted her. "Hari-chan, you are good enough."
She swallowed and glanced up at him and he saw the doubt in her eyes. He wished he could make it go away, so he pulled at the hand he was holding until she was in his arms and he hugged her. She was still and stiff for a moment before she relaxed a little and hugged him back.
"This connection thing," Seiichi hated that he had to bring it up again, but he needed to know more, "what can be done about it?"
Hari pulled back a little but not enough that she was completely out of his arms.
"I'm getting help from the monk at the shrine," Hari said, "that was why I was there when that day, and why I was there today. He's helping me to close my mind and hopefully, that will keep Voldemort out of my mind. We don't know if he is aware of the connection yet or not, but we don't want him to use it. And…and there is a way to get rid of it, but we have to wait until the right time to use the ritual."
Seiichi let that sink in for a moment before he brought up the next question.
"You'll be okay, right?" he asked.
She hesitated and Seiichi felt his heart skip a beat before beating faster as he waited for her to say something. He didn't like the prolonged silence like she was deliberating what to say or how to say something. He tried to push back the fear he felt.
"Right?" he pushed when she didn't say anything.
"I should be," she finally said, "but…it's a risk."
"Then there must be another way?" Seiichi knew he probably sounded a little desperate, but he couldn't care right now. "A safer way?"
"No," Hari said, "other than killing me, no. The ritual is the only way."
Seiichi felt…stunned, scared, angry, everything and nothing. He wasn't sure how to react because all he could think was that she might die. Die.
...
Hari winced a little as she saw the fear in his eyes and wished she didn't have to cause him to feel and look like that. She reached out and placed a hand along his chin and tried to smile and was pleased that she managed even if it was a little wobbly.
"I'm not going to give up," she promised. "I'm fighting this, Sei-chan. I really am. "
He nodded, "okay. Good. You better fight."
"I am," she promised again. "I'm sorry."
"Stop saying you're sorry," Seiichi sighed. "It's not your fault."
Hari smiled a little but didn't agree with him. It was her fault. She could have kept it from him, kept him from feeling like this. Maybe he should have walked away?
"You're thinking that I should walk away, aren't you?" Seiichi asked knowingly.
"I don't want you to be in danger because of me," Hari said softly. "I wish I was normal and that I could just be me, but without the whole magic part and dark lord that has a grudge."
"I like you with your magic part and while I would like the whole dark lord thing to be gone only because I don't like knowing that you're in danger, I wouldn't change you," Seiichi said.
Hari knew she was blushing but didn't really care as she smiled at him. He was so kind and warm, and she couldn't help but believe him. She leaned in and kissed him not sure how to show how much it meant to her, how much he meant to her.
...
Nanjiro sighed as he saw Hari lean in and kiss Seiichi. He wasn't spying on them (he wasn't!) but just looking out of the window to check on them from time to time. He wanted to walk out there and pull her away, but he didn't (see, Rinko? He could show restraint!). He was glad Hari had someone who supported her. He couldn't hear what they were saying, but it was clear that he was supporting her.
Nanjiro was forced to admit that Seiichi really did care about Hari.
"Stop watching them, Nanjiro," Rinko sighed. "They are just talking."
"Kissing," Nanjiro muttered.
Rinko rolled her eyes, "well, he is her boyfriend, dear."
"I know," Nanjiro pouted, "I guess I should get used to it."
Rinko arched a brow surprised, but smiled, "that is mature of you."
Nanjiro scowled at her, "you say it like you don't think I can do it."
Rinko laughed as she walked over and kissed his cheek.
"Not at all, dear," she said.
He sighed and glanced out of the window once more and saw Hari smiling at Seiichi and couldn't help but smile a little. At least she was looking happy.
"Come away from the window," Rinko said and pulled at his arm until he was on the sofa and sat down.
...
"Hari?" Ryoma called out of the door and Hari looked over at her brother. "Do you want to come and join us to play tennis?"
Hari looked at Seiichi and he nodded with a smile.
"Sure!" Hari answered getting to her feet. It was probably a good idea to do something else now, they'd had the chance to talk.
They walked over to the house and found Ryoga waiting behind Ryoma looking eager.
"Ready for our match, Yukimura?" Ryoga asked.
Seiichi smiled and nodded, "yes."
"Come on, Ryo-chan," Hari sighed. "Guess that means it's me and you."
Ryoma smiled and nodded.
"Dinner is ready in a couple of hours," Rinko said. "Be sure to be back on time."
"Yes, Okaa-chan," Hari said.
They made their way to the shrine and Hari realized that it was the first time she had brought Seiichi here. He normally dropped her off at the front door, but rarely came inside and never to play tennis (obviously since he had been injured), but now he was here, and she couldn't help the smile that crossed her lips.
Hari had fun playing again, feeling relaxed and just enjoying going through the motions of playing tennis like she used to. Ryoma was stronger than her but she could keep up better than before, so she counted that as a win. And she might be a little distracted by looking over and watching Seiichi play against Ryoga. She had never gotten the chance to watch him play yet.
Seiichi smiled as he returned a ball and wondered if he should use his special technique yet, but he still hadn't gotten back to using it fully since his injury and was working on it with Sanada so he could be ready for nationals.
But he didn't need to use it to have fun, and he wanted to win but Ryoga was strong. He shouldn't be surprised by that, though. Hari had said that he could have gone pro if he wanted.
...
Nanjiro was, of course, pulled toward the shrine as well to watch them all play tennis. He was curious to watch them play even if it was just for fun. Maybe he even got a chance to play too. He smiled a little at the thought.
He could immediately tell that Ryoga was in the lead against Seiichi, but Seiichi was holding his own. He was good.
The way he moved and responded to Ryoga's moves was on point and fast. Nanjiro itched to challenge Seiichi himself to test how far he could go. But he held back because while Seiichi was good, he was still recovering from an injury that had lasted for a long time. So, he would wait. Better to test him when he was fully back.
"Good game, Yukimura," Ryoga smiled over at Seiichi when they finished their game (Ryoga won).
"You too," Seiichi said. "I see why Hari-chan says you can go pro if you want."
Ryoga arched a brow and looked over at Hari who was pouting at Ryoma who had just won their game.
"She does, does she?" Ryoga said. "I guess I could, but for now I have other things to focus on." /p
"You're strong," Nanjiro spoke up making all of them look over at him while Seiichi looked a little surprised to find Nanjiro focused on him.
"Oh, um… thank you," Seiichi said as Hari joined him and grabbed his hand with hers. She smiled proudly at him.
"I can't wait until we get to play," Nanjiro smirked.
"You're not challenging him now?" Ryoma asked.
Seiichi also looked a little interested in his answer so Nanjiro shrugged.
"Not until he is completely back after the injury," Nanjiro said. "You didn't use all of your skills today."
"You saw that?" Seiichi asked.
"Of course," Nanjiro said.
"I thought about it, but I'm not ready yet," Seiichi said when Hari looked at him. "I'm working on it, though."
"Good," Hari smiled.
"Well, Rinko should have dinner ready soon," Nanjiro said.
...
Hogwarts
...
Lawsuit against publisher and authors of the Girl-Who-Lived series!
By: Karen Dillon
The book series called the Girl-Who-Lived, published by Witches publishers, and written by ghostwriters using the name Irah Potts, has been well-loved and popular since the first book was published the year after the defeat of You-Know-Who. Since then, there have been published 12 books in the popular series that follow Harriett Lily Potter on her adventures after the defeat of You-Know-Who.
Now, however, the authors and publisher find themselves facing a lawsuit over unauthorized use of identity. The lawsuit claims that the authors are using the name Harriett Lily Potter to gain monetary gain and recognition by using another's name and identity.
"A right of publicity is the right to control the commercial value of your name, likeness, voice, signature, or other personally identifying traits that are unique to you," a lawyer said. "That meaning both the name and the scar that is unique for miss Potter is considered to be identifying traits that belong to Miss Potter alone."
So, the lawsuit is going after the authors and publishers for using her name to gain money and recognition for themselves and without permission.
The Witches publishers said this in a statement:
"We are aware of the lawsuit and will put our lawyers on the case. We will not say anything more about this at this time."
Inside sources say that they are in an uproar because they claim that after the defeat of You-Know-Who the name and her scar became public knowledge and therefore free use. That it is a part of being famous to be talked about.
...
Hermione felt something sink inside of her as she read the article and knew that Hari was behind the lawsuit (who else could it be?) even if they didn't name her. She didn't understand why the lawsuit came now and so completely out of nowhere.
"Did you see it?" Ginny asked as she sat down across from Hermione at the table in the Great Hall. Hermione looked up.
"Yeah," Hermione said.
"Wonder why there's a lawsuit now," Ginny said, "I mean… it's not recent."
"My guess is that Hari just found out about those books," Hermione said quietly. "And didn't like it."
Ginny frowned, "eh? But those books are famous. How could she not know? She knew we grew up hearing stories about her."
Hermione shrugged. She could tell that the news about the lawsuit had spread now and saw groups of students from all houses put their heads together and whisper.
"She never liked looking up things about herself," Hermione said. "She didn't even know that she was in books when I mentioned that she was mentioned in some."
"But why now?" Ginny asked. "And…how? If she found out about this, then she must be in the contact with the magical world somewhere, right?"
Hermione shrugged again because Ginny didn't know that Hari was in Japan. But she did have a point, if Hari had found out about the books, then she must have been in the magical district there.
"Still think it's strange," Ginny said.
"I don't think it's right that there are books like that about her," Hermione said. "I understand why she would react to them."
Ginny shrugged, "I loved those books when I was a kid."
And see how you acted around her when you first met her, Hermione wanted to say but bit it back. The books explained a lot about how most people reacted to Hari, and she should have seen it as a problem before now.
"I guess it is time some people wake up and see that Hari is a person with feelings," Hermione said a little pointedly, but she didn't look at Ginny.
Ginny was frowning but didn't say anything as she watched Hermione got up and walk over to Fred and George (it was normal to see Hermione talk with the twins nowadays rather than Ron). George smiled at her and pulled her down to sit beside him and Fred said something making Hermione huff and push the Daily Prophet toward them and them reading it.
They had all acted weird since they got back from their vacation this summer and Ron seemed to have distanced himself from Hermione completely. Her frown deepened and she couldn't help but wonder what had happened.
...
Dumbledore silently fumed as he left the great hall and made his way back to his office. He couldn't lose control over his feelings under the watchful eyes of McGonagall who was looking at him so critically lately. She still blamed him for Hari being suspended.
Yes, he could have fought harder against the suspension, but at the time it had been right. He thought it would help to get her to really appreciate Hogwarts and realize that she belonged here by having time away and away from her friends.
He had not thought she would just… quit. He believed that magic and Hogwarts were more important to her than that, and Ron and Hermione… No, he had not thought she would vanish as she had. How could a fourteen-year-old girl just disappear like that?
He knew it was harsh. He felt bad about it too, at times. She deserved better; he knew that. But he couldn't take that into consideration. He knew what role she had in the world. He knew the burden she carried, and he had done everything he could to prepare her. Shown her the true side of Voldemort, what he could do and how dangerous he was to her and to her friends.
Dumbledore knew he needed to keep preparing her because it wasn't even beginning yet. Voldemort was becoming stronger. The signs were there if one were looking for it. So, it was only a question of time before he was back and strong again.
That was why they needed to find Hari. She had to be where he could guide and help her along the way, so she was ready the day it came to destroy Voldemort. It was her destiny. The prophecy lingered in his mind more and more these days worrying him and urging him on to find Hari. Yet, she was simply…gone.
And now… the lawsuit against the book series that featured her. The articles didn't name who was behind the lawsuit, but it was obvious that it was Hari. Who else would and could do it? But, how did she do it? And who was helping her? She must still be connected to the magical world, but someone was hiding her from him.
Sirius? But he was still on the run… though, the mess in the ministry after the articles about him was still ongoing and he knew that a trial would be held soon at the urging of Amelia Bones. She had made it her mission to get to the bottom of the whole thing and Crouch was on the edge of losing his job because it had been his decision to not give Sirius a trial.
But, Sirius couldn't be the one helping Hari now. He wouldn't have the means to do so being a fugitive.
He was missing something. A piece of information, something that would lead him right to her. He had observed both Ron and Hermione but neither showed any signs of knowing where Hari was or has been in contact with her. In fact, it didn't really seem like they were friends anymore either. That was sad.
He sighed.
He paced back and forth in front of the fireplace as he thought.
...
...
AN: What do you think? XD
I am a little delayed in posting this, but here it is. I'm not completely happy with how this chapter turned out, but I wanted to get a move on with the tennis part of the story as well. Nationals will be right around the corner now, too. I'm following the fillers in the anime very loosely, barely at all actually seeing as the magic part has taken over more of the storyline now rather than the Prince of Tennis part.
I've gotten some questions about Ryoma leaving and going to America as he does in the anime. I've decided that I will cut that part of the story. I might make a reference to it, but with Hari there, I don't think it is likely that he would leave. And Hari needs stability right now, so moving (however temporarily) to another country is the last thing she needs right now. So, they'll all stay in Japan for now. At least that is what makes sense to me. XD
Also, I know very little about how lawsuits and all that work, so it is entirely based on how I want it to work for this story. XD
Thank you for reading! XD