Disclaimer: I don't own Harry Potter or Prince of Tennis!
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Britain
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Amelia Bones was second-guessing her choice in career. She really should have gone for a more calm and non-conflict career where she could relax and go home when the day ended. But here she was, Head of Department of Magical Law Enforcement, and yet another day with overtime seemed to be on the horizon for her. It had been quite a few of those for her lately.
Sirius Black. That case was a nightmare. Ever since the article had been released, she had been trying to find out what had happened in that case. And what she found… wasn't good. Or it was more what she didn't find.
She could find nothing to document a trial being held for Sirius Black. Just the first arrangement when he had been arrested. Crouch had ordered him to be held in Azkaban until a trial could be held given the situation and suspected Death Eater activity. And then…nothing.
Nothing.Not a single file. Not any evidence that he had been given a lawyer, or that there had been anything done about his case. Yet, he had been held in Azkaban for 12 years before he escaped (it was still a mystery how he had done that).
She had done a lot of work trying to find out more about Sirius, but Karen Dillon wouldn't reveal her source and Amelia had been frustrated to accept that she wouldn't learn anything new from the journalist. Dillon had hinted at a vow that prevented her to reveal her source as well. Someone really didn't want to be found out to be talking about Sirius.
But Amelia had a new clue. She was surprised she hadn't thought about it before. Sirius had been last seen at Hogwarts and Hari Potter had been accused of helping him escape. That meant that someone had seen him, and while Hari wasn't there anymore, she knew from rapports that Hermione Granger and Ron Weasley also had been there, so that was why she had sent a letter to Hogwarts to ask for a meeting. A letter had also been sent to their head of house knowing that the two teens were minors and therefore should be informed.
...
Hermione frowned as she looked at the letter she had received at breakfast and wondered what this meant. She looked over at Ron who also had gotten a letter and he looked worried as he glanced up and met her eyes before looking away again. She felt hurt as he refused to meet her eyes. Just what was up with him?
Turning her attention back to the letter she wondered again why Amelia Bones wanted to talk with her. She knew who she was, of course, Head of Department of Magical Law Enforcement. She was mentioned in the paper often enough.
"Hermione," Ron said, and Hermione looked up.
"Ron," Hermione said blankly.
He shuffled on his feet. "Um…can we talk?"
Hermione wanted to say no. She wanted to tell him to get lost, but she nodded and got up and followed him out of the common room knowing that they were watched by the others.
"What?" Hermione asked folding her arms over her chest as she turned to look at Ron. They were in an empty classroom now.
"Did you get a letter from Madam Bones?" Ron asked.
"Yes," Hermione said.
"Oh. Good. Um, what do you think she wants?" Ron asked.
Hermione shrugged, "she wants to talk to us. That was what she said."
"About what?" Ron asked.
"I'm guessing about Sirius," Hermione said.
Ron nodded slowly, "why now though?"
Hermione looked at him for a moment.
"Did you miss the article in the Daily Prophet that told Sirius' story?" Hermione asked.
"No, I saw it," Ron frowned. "And I take it that it was Hari who told the journalist the story?"
"Yes," Hermione said. "She met with her."
"Met…? Why would she take that chance?" Ron demanded.
Hermione looked at him unimpressed.
"What? Are you worried?" Hermione asked.
"Of course, I am!" Ron said.
"Huh, what a way to show it," Hermione said sarcastically.
"Look," Ron scowled. "That was a huge risk! I thought she wanted to be hidden!"
"It was a calculated risk," Hermione said. "We handled it."
Ron opened and closed his mouth, but nothing came out and Hermione gritted her teeth in annoyance.
"Look, Ron, I don't know what you're trying to do," Hermione said. "But you've pretty much pulled away ever since we came back at Hogwarts and I have no idea why. You haven't talked to Hari once, and haven't shown any interest in knowing what's going on with her, so why are you suddenly pretending that you're worried now?"
Ron stared at her before he turned, and she noticed the tension in his shoulders.
"It's best," Ron muttered.
"Right," Hermione said. "I take it you like being the centre of attention now that Hari's not here. Suddenly you've got the spotlight. Good to know how much we mean to you, Ron."
Hermione walked to the door. "And don't worry about the meeting with Madam Bones. I'll take the lead."
She slipped out of the room wiping a tear away as she did. She couldn't understand Ron. He had seemed worried now, but then he closed off again and she just couldn't understand what he was trying to do.
...
Ron watched Hermione go and looked down at the floor. He wanted to go after her and apologize. He wanted to… do something, but he was scared.
He didn't feel safe. He had messed up, and he feared telling someone… he would lose everything then. He knew it. It was better to just pull away himself, and then pretend that everything was fine. He was sure he would have heard it if something had happened… Right?
He wasn't even sure something had happened. It was probably nothing, but the nagging feeling wouldn't let go.
He felt so guilty that he wasn't sure what to do. He knew what he should do, but… he just couldn't find the courage to do it.
Slowly he walked back to the common room and ignored the calls from Dean and Seamus as he made his way to the tables to work on his homework. He needed to get it done.
He didn't see Hermione and he wondered if she had gone somewhere to write to Hari. Maybe talk about the meeting with Amelia Bones the next day. He worried about it, he didn't want to say something wrong.
...
Hermione closed the journal and felt a deep dread settle inside of her… it couldn't be real. It couldn't be happening.
She had been worried about the connection between Hari and Voldemort, but never would she have thought that something like that was even possible. To have a piece of the dark wizard inside of her was impossible to understand.
She had opened the journal after having talked with Ron and found a long letter-like entry from Hari where she explained the latest discovery and tried to reassure Hermione that she was fine. Hermione knew her best friend, she knew that she was trying to be brave so that she wouldn't worry too much. She also picked up on the fear that Hari tried to hide.
How much was Hari supposed to have to deal with? Hermione felt frustrated that she was so far away from Hari. She wanted to be there and help her but knew that she couldn't.
It had almost distracted her from what she had been meaning to tell Hari, but she had remembered and managed to add something at the end of what she had been writing as a reply. She wished Hari had been there to answer her so they could talk, but Hari hadn't been so Hermione knew she had to wait for her reply.
She hoped Hari would answer before she had to meet Madam Bones. It would help to know what Hari would want them to do in this situation. They hadn't taken into consideration that someone might want to question them about their meeting with Sirius. They should have, but they hadn't. But Hermione thought it might be a good idea.
And wasn't Madam Bones the aunt of Susan Bones? Maybe Hermione could find Susan and ask her about her aunt?
...
Tokyo
...
"You mean you could have been in the US now?" Momoshiro asked.
Hari paused before she rounded the corner of the school when she heard Momoshiro's voice. She shook her head and was about to continue when she heard Ryoma answer.
"Yes, but like I said I turned it down," Ryoma said.
"But why?" Momoshiro asked as Hari stilled and her eyes went wide.
Ryoma had turned down going to the US? What…
"It wasn't the right time," Ryoma said carelessly.
"It's the US open, Echizen," Momoshiro said disbelievingly. "It's not something that comes around all the time!"
Hari felt like she had been hit. The US Open was one of the world's most famous tennis tournaments and she was aware that it was being held now in the US.
"I know," Ryoma said.
"All of the best young tennis players are there and you could have been there too!" Momoshiro pushed. "And you turned it down? Why?"
"I told you," Ryoma said sounding a little impatient. "It wasn't the right time."
"I thought you dreamed about playing in a tournament like that," Momoshiro said. "It's not that I want you to go, not at all, you're my best friend and I would probably be upset if you left, but… still. It's the US Open."
Hari turned and left the way she had come unable to stand there listening anymore. Ryoma had turned down his dream. She knew he would have loved the chance to play at a tournament like that. He would have faced stronger opponents, new challenges… and he had turned it down.
It was because of her. She knew it. He didn't go because of her issues and drama.
Why hadn't he told her? Why had no one told her? Why hadn't she noticed? He must have been upset about it. Was she really that self-obsessed that she didn't notice her brother?
What was wrong with her?
She found a spot underneath a tree in the schoolyard and sat down as she thought about it all. She barely blinked when Hedwig came flying and landed in her lap cooing softly. How Hedwig knew that she was upset was anyone's guess, but she had always been great like that.
She leaned down and buried her face against Hedwig. She wondered if Nanjiro and Rinko had told him no. Had they stopped him because of her? He should blame her, but he hadn't seemed angry at her. Yet, he should.
Lunch was almost over, and Hari knew she had to get back to the classroom. She knew that she had to be ready for practice after school and that Nationals would be upon them very soon. So, she needed to push this away until she got home where she could think about it more clearly.
"Thanks, Hedwig," Hari said. "I'm fine now."
Hedwig cooed and nibbled affectionately at her ear making Hari smile a little before she soared up to the sky leaving Hari to watch as she flew away.
...
"Tezuka can play again!" Kikumaru cheered excitedly when Hari entered the courts for their tennis practice.
"That's good," Hari smiled.
Normally they would hold a ranking tournament to decide the regulars for Nationals, but since Ryuzaki wasn't back yet and everything had been turned around they had decided that Nanjiro would focus on improving their skills individually and doubles. It was better that way.
Hari knew it might be a little unfair, but everyone seemed to be understanding why it had to be that way and just wanted Ryuzaki to get well in time for Nationals.
"Fuji and Tezuka are going to play," Kikumaru added.
"Ah, really?" Hari asked. "That's not an easy match to get back to for Tezuka,"
"No," Oishi agreed.
Hari didn't really think that the two had played against each other much before. At practices, they had tended to avoid playing against each other as far as Hari knew. They were good friends, but it was like there was a tension when it came to tennis. She wondered why.
"Well, it will be interesting," Hari said.
She noticed Ryoma talking with Momoshiro and Horio, Kachiro and Mizuno and the letter she had found the day before entered her mind again.
"Hari-chan?" Kikumaru asked.
"Sorry," Hari said forcing a smile. "Got lost in thoughts. Did you say something?"
"No, but are you okay?" Kikumaru asked.
"I'm fine," Hari smiled even if it was a little forced.
"If you say so," Kikumaru said giving her another concerned look before going back to his excitable self. Hari listened as he enthused about the upcoming match, and speculation about who would win.
Hari looked to the side and saw Fuji walking toward the court with a serious look on his face. He looked uncommonly focused as he made his way toward the court. His racket in hand and eyes opened. Hari didn't think Kikumaru would notice if she slipped away as Oishi was there too.
"Ready?" Hari asked as she joined Fuji just outside of the gate to the court.
"Yes," Fuji said. "I am."
"Good," Hari smiled. "I'm curious to see you and Tezuka play, Shu-chan."
He smiled a little, "I'm curious too."
She gave him a considering look.
"I'll cheer for you," she promised, and he smiled a little.
"Thank you," he said.
...
"I see that you've realised that there will be a match played today," Nanjiro said. "I know it will be useless to tell the rest of you to go and do your own things, so I'll allow you to stay and watch. I want you to pay attention, though. You can learn something by watching others play, so try to see if there's something you can pick up in your own game. Got it?"
"Yes, coach," they said.
Nanjiro smirked.
"Good," he said. "Now, Tezuka and Fuji. Get ready."
Hari noticed the determined and focused look on Ryoma's face as he watched the court. She knew he was wanting to play as well. Ryoma had never gotten the chance to face Fuji in a proper match, and Hari knew that he was anxious to get the chance to play him for real. And it was best not to even start on what Ryoma would do for the chance to face Tezuka again… Hari mentally shook her head knowing that Ryoma was looking for any excuse to play their captain again. He still wasn't over the loss.
Fuji was the one who won the serve and Hari wondered if she had ever seen that focused out on the tennis court. She could immediately tell that this would not be a match that any of them too lightly. Something else was behind this and she couldn't help but feel curious as to what.
"It's a serve and volley!" Kawamura said as Fuji served.
Tezuka returned the ball before running toward the net. Hari blinked at the intensity right from the start. They rallied the ball back and forth several times before Fuji managed to smash the ball out of Tezuka's reach.
"15-0!" Nanjiro called.
"Incredible…" Kaido murmured.
Hari nodded in agreement. This would be an awesome match…to bad it wasn't anything official.
"The match just started, but…" Inui trailed off unable to finish the sentence, but everyone knew what he meant.
Hari heard Oishi, Momoshiro and Kawamura wonder if Fuji had purposely hit a cord ball to force Tezuka to use a lob. They seemed to think it was impossible even for Fuji, but Hari wasn't so sure. She had a feeling that this was a side of Fuji they hadn't seen before. She smiled.
"Hn," Ryoma said. "Interesting."
...
"I'm only watching, but my body is starting to tremble," Kaido said making Hari glance over at him and smile knowingly.
"You feel like that too, Ka-chan?" she asked. "Watching them rally the ball back and forth so seriously makes me want to play too."
"It's clear that they aren't underestimating each other," Oishi commented. "Neither can carelessly take the ball to the net so they keep it at the baseline."
It continued like that until…
"Oh! Fuji's making a move!" Kikumaru exclaimed.
Fuji rushed to the net and managed to get the ball past Tezuka.
"30-0!" Nanjiro called.
Tezuka turned to stare at Fuji who looked back. Hari wondered what they were thinking.
"The second point ended uneventfully," Momoshiro commented.
"Yeah, but you're all drenched in sweat," Kaido pointed out glancing at him.
"Look who's talking? So are you!" Momoshiro shot back.
"What did you say?" Kaido growled.
The two boys glared at each other as they growled making Oishi facepalm while Hari smirked amused. She always found their bickering amusing.
...
"Game! Fuji! 1 game to 0!" Nanjiro called making everyone let out a breath they didn't know they were holding. It was an intense first game.
Ryoma was watching feeling envious that he wasn't out there playing. Watching Fuji play like that made him wish he could face him properly as well because this was a side he never saw from Fuji. While they called Fuji a genius when it came to tennis it was clear that he had been holding back.
And Tezuka… he had been unable to get a point throughout the first game. The next game was his turned to serve, and Ryoma wondered if he would manage to turn this around or if Fuji would keep this up.
He was so focused on the game that he missed Hari's watchful eyes on him.
...
"Tezuka won't stay silent about this," Oishi said. "He'll do something."
Hari nodded in agreement. She knew that this must be the first game he hadn't got a point in a while, and it must irk him. She was curious to see how he reacted.
"I like that look on his face," Hari smiled. "He'll give us his answer now."
Inui was scribbling in his notebook but nodded as he agreed with her.
Tezuka served the ball and it flew past Fuji so fast that he didn't even have time to react.
"!5-0!" Nanjiro called with a smirk.
Everyone was stunned as they stared at the court unable to take it in. It was a good serve. A perfect serve, really. Hari had noticed that Tezuka tossed the ball up with a little spin before he served it, and she wondered if that was something she could do as well. She couldn't wait until she could try it out later. Maybe Ryoma or Ryoga could help her?
Though, she probably shouldn't ask Ryoma… he should be allowed to focus on his own tennis without her interrupting him anymore. She couldn't get in his way more than she already had… she felt her smile drop as she glanced over at her brother. Guilt filled her.
...
Hari watched the two play and was stunned to witness the intensity. She remembered Fuji telling her about a conversation he'd had with Tezuka after he'd played Ryoma in the rain. It was after Tezuka had left for Germany to get his injury treated, and Fuji had been upset. Hari had gone and joined him by the river, and they had talked.
She wondered if Fuji was remembering that conversation now as well. She thought he might.
Fuji had admitted to her that he had thought that Tezuka was like him. Unable to become serious in a match. But Tezuka had questioned him about where the real him was, and why he hadn't seriously gone for the win against Ryoma that day in the rain.
Hari remembered how sad he looked when he told her that he didn't think that he could really get into a game. He told her he wondered if bringing out his opponents' ability to the limit and enjoying the thrill was all there was to the game. He had asked Tezuka too, Fuji said, but he said it was all about the win for him.
Hari hadn't known how to answer that, but she could tell that Fuji had given it a lot of thought. He had admitted that until the match between Tezuka and Atobe he had believed that Tezuka was the same, but then he was hit with how serious Tezuka was. That he put everything he had into the game to win.
Will I ever be able to become serious?
The question Fuji had asked rang in her mind. She smiled a little as she watched Fuji because he was now about to answer that question.
...
"2-1! Game Fuji!" Nanjiro called.
"They seem to be trying to hit cord balls," Inui observed.
"I've never seen a cord ball returned with another cord ball before," Momoshiro said.
Hari smiled, "you'll never know what to expect with the two of them."
Ryoma nodded and smiled a little. "Looks fun."
...
As the match continued they started to use their signal moves as they fought hard and the games tipped back and forth between them for a long time. No one cared that the games dragged on and it was almost the end of practice because no one would be the one to end this match before it was over nor would anyone leave until it was done.
It was another round of stunned audience when Tezuka defeated all of Fuji's triple counters in one play. Hari saw the shocked look inf Fuji's face before he gritted his teeth together and got a new look of determination on his face as he stared at Tezuka. She wondered what he was thinking.
"Looks like Tezuka's abilities are in full blast now," Kawamura commented as they continued to watch as Tezuka was in what they called Tezuka zone. A technique that seemed to counter all of the triple counters from Fuji.
"Is Fuji-senpai going to let himself be pushed around like this?" Momoshiro asked concerned.
"You're being so noisy," Kaido said giving Momoshiro a look.
"What did you say?" Momoshiro snapped.
"Instead of being so hasty, I'm telling you to calm down and just watch," Kaido said.
"It's my right to watch it how I want!" Momoshiro defended.
"There they go again…" Horio complained.
"They're rivals in the same year, so it's no wonder…" Mizuno said.
"Oi!" Hari said interrupting the two hotheads. "Calm down both of you! You'll interrupt the match if you continue to argue like this."
Both Momoshiro and Kaido stopped their bickering and looked a little sheepish (though they gave each other another glare before looking away).
Hari sighed and shook her head. Honestly… though she found it amusing for the most part, it was a little tiring as well.
...
"4-2! Game Tezuka!" Nanjiro called.
Hari watched Fuji as he kept fighting and even though Fuji fought hard Tezuka was raising above him with his techniques.
"Come on, Shu-chan!" Hari called out. "You can do it! It's not over yet! This is your chance!"
She didn't know what made her do it, but she wanted to watch Fuji give it his all. She wanted to see how far he could go. She saw Fuji glance toward her. She met his eyes and smiled noticing that his eyes got a sharper look in them and grinned wider at the sight.
"Oh… is his moves getting sharper?" Kawamura wondered when Fuji hit a ball over the net with more speed.
Hari smiled pleased when Fuji broke the Tezuka Zone with the Higuma Otoshi, the triple counter.
Fuji was suddenly taking points and pushing Tezuka back.
"30-0!" Nanjiro called when Fuji got another ball past Tezuka.
"It's amazing," Oishi said. "Fuji's predictions are beyond Tezuka."
"With that, he can't use Tezuka zone," Inui agreed.
...
"Hey…isn't the atmosphere around Fuji a little different than usual?" Kikumaru asked.
"Hn," Ryoma hummed. "It is. He's giving it his all now."
"I've never seen him this serious before," Oishi said.
Nanjiro heard them and smiled a little as he sat in the referee seat. He knew that this side of Fuji must be surprising for them. He knew just looking at Fuji that he was a special kind of player. It wasn't' that he didn't want to win for his team, but winning or losing wasn't truly his goal in a match. He was about the thrill. He wanted to feel the adrenaline from the game, but this game meant more to him. This time he really wanted to win, and Nanjiro was curious to see if he could do it.
...
It went into tie-break after having gone back and forth with Fuji and Tezuka alternating between taking the lead. Hari had not seen a match like this in a while and it made her realise that she had missed it. More than she thought.
It ended with Tezuka managing a right-handed Zero-Shiki Drop shot where the ball hit the court and rolled back toward the net and away from where Fuji was ready for it. All he could do was stare in shock as the realisation hit him.
"Game and match: Tezuka. 7-6!" Nanjiro called.
"I didn't think you would change to your right hand there, Tezuka," Fuji said facing his friend on the other side of the net. "You're amazing after all."
"It's not what I wanted to. My body just moved on its own," Tezuka said.
Hari watched with a grim smile as Fuji kept a brave face but unable to keep the tears away as he talked with Tezuka. She didn't pay attention to the others as they talked as she watched the two shake hands. It was like something had changed in Fuji as the match had developed.
They all started to clap impressed with the match they had just witnessed.
...
Hari watched as Ryoma walked away with Momoshiro who was talking excitedly about the match. She sighed as she looked away and saw Nanjiro making his way toward the school and wondered what he thought about Ryoma and the US Open.
Shaking the thoughts away again she walked to the court where Fuji remained standing on his own just watching the racket in his hands. She stopped when she was beside him and just stood there waiting.
"I'm fine," he eventually said.
"Good," Hari said but didn't move.
He glanced over at her and smiled, "you're not leaving, are you?"
"Nope," Hari said.
He shrugged and sat down making her do the same. She didn't need him to talk or talk herself, but she didn't want to let him be alone right now. He always supported her, so she wanted to do the same.
"I think…I changed," Fuji said after a while.
"Oh?" Hari glanced at him, but he was looking up at the blue sky above them.
"Did you know that I played Tezuka once before?" Fuji asked.
Hari blinked, "no, I didn't."
"I won," Fuji said. "But only because he was injured. It was right after he injured his arm, but he didn't say anything and showed up to play me anyway. I…was angry."
"Because he risked his health or because he wasn't at his best?" Hari asked.
He sighed, "both, I guess."
Hari nodded. "Makes sense."
It also explained a lot about the game she'd just witnessed as well.
"You've never played again after that?" Hari asked even if she knew, "why?"
He was silent for a moment. "Hm. Who knows… I think we both held back. He never got completely back from the injury, until now…. And I knew…"
He stopped.
"You knew it was a possibility that you'd change if you faced him seriously," Hari guessed.
He smiled a little and nodded, "I feared it. I liked how it was but facing Tezuka… it was different."
"I see," Hari said. "Do you regret it?"
"No," Fuji said. "I hate the feeling I have now knowing I lost, but it is still the best feeling…"
Hari felt her lips twitch, "you know that sounded weird, but I get it."
He chuckled. "Good."
"I must admit that it was a new side of you I saw today," Hari said. "I liked it. You're really good, Shu-chan."
"Tezuka is better," Fuji said.
"Maybe, but I think that if you keep going like this you might surpass him," Hari said.
Fuji glanced over at her and looked thoughtful. "Maybe."
She reached out and took his hand in hers and squeezed it. "You played well, Shu-chan."
"Thanks," he smiled and squeezed her hand back. "Want to tell me what has you distracted today?"
Hari looked at him surprised.
...
"What? You don't think I noticed?" Fuji arched a brow at her. "Come on, Hari-chan. I know you better than that. Does it have anything to do with the way you looked at Echizen?"
Hari huffed, "you should have paid attention to your own game and not to me."
He chuckled, "I can do both. So?"
Hari sighed as she pulled her knees closer to her body and hugged them to her. She bit her lip as she thought.
"I overheard him and Momo-chan talking," Hari admitted. "Earlier today…"
"Okay," Fuji looked concerned. "And?"
"Ryo-chan turned down an offer to participate in the US Open," Hari admitted.
Fuji blinked surprised, "he did?"
"Yeah, and never told me about it," Hari said. "I don't know what to think… Do you think he did it because of me?"
Fuji watched her for a moment and it was impossible to see what he was thinking.
"I'm sure he has his reasons, Hari-chan," Fuji said. "You should ask him."
Hari frowned, "maybe."
"Maybe he just didn't want to leave the school, or maybe it's because the Nationals are so close," Fuji suggested. "It's not necessarily about you."
"If it wasn't then he would have told me," Hari said.
"It's his choice to make," Fuji said. "I get that you're upset, Hari-chan, but you need to see it from his perspective."
Hari nodded slowly but still felt upset. Fuji reached out and ruffled her hair making her glare at him only for him to laugh.
"Come on, kid," he teased. "I'll walk you home."
Hari rolled her eyes, "I can find my way home."
"I know," Fuji said, "but I want to spend more time with you. I've missed it."
Hari could only smile as she nodded. She had missed spending time with him as well.
"Fine, since you put it that way," she said. "And don't call me kid."
...
Hari waved goodbye to Fuji as she slipped into the house. She found Ryoma in the living room with the others and she paused as she watched him. He looked normal, bored but not upset. Ryoga was reading a book while Nanjiro was flipping through a magazine. Ryoma seemed to be on his way out of the room when she paused in the doorway.
"You're back late," Ryoma commented.
"I talked with Shu-chan," Hari shrugged.
"That's what I thought," Ryoma said. "I guessed you'd want to talk to him after the match. How is he?"
"Good," Hari said. "Um… Ryo-chan…why…"
She stopped unsure if she wanted to bring it up.
"Why what?" Ryoma asked confused.
"Why did you turn down US Open?" Hari blurted out.
Ryoma blinked and she was barely aware that the others looked away from what they were doing and looked over at her.
"How do you know that?" Ryoma asked.
"I heard you talking with Momo-chan," Hari said, "so? Why did you?"
He shrugged, "it wasn't the right time."
"You said no because of me, didn't you," Hari scowled.
Ryoma frowned at her, "no."
"Then why didn't you tell me?" Hari asked. "Why hide it?"
"You had enough on your plate," Ryoma said. "I didn't want to add more."
Hari scowled, "so it is because of me."
She turned and stalked out of the room and upstairs closing her bedroom door behind her before throwing her bag to the floor and fell onto the bed. She knew it was childish to leave like that, but she couldn't stay there. She turned to her side and sighed.
She never wanted to stand in his way.
There was a knock on the door but she remained silent. She heard the door open and closed her eyes almost wishing that whoever had just come in would leave again.
"Hari," Ryoma said and she sighed.
"What?" she didn't turn around.
"Are you angry at me?" he asked.
Hari didn't say anything for a moment. Was she angry at him? Was it fair of her to be angry when it was her fault he didn't get the chance to play on a larger scene?
"No," Hari finally said turning around so she could look at him. "I'm angry at myself."
He scoffed at her, "that's stupid."
Hari sat up and shrugged looking down. "Still, I'm in your way. You should have had the chance to play at US Open and face stronger competition and I know that it's your dream."
He walked over to her bed and sat down at the end as he looked at her.
"I made the decision," Ryoma said. "It's not your fault."
"But…" Hari frowned.
"I didn't want to leave," Ryoma interrupted her. "It was my choice. I should have told you, but I know that you've had a hard time lately. I didn't want to make this something you'd obsess over as well. I know you would have told me to go and play, but I didn't want that. Not now."
She looked at him and frowned, "you're sure?"
"I'm sure," Ryoma said. "I want to be here with you, Hari. You're my sister, and I want to support you. Besides, the Nationals are coming up soon and I'm sure there are plenty of opportunities to face strong opponents there too."
Hari sighed.
"Fine," she said. "It's not that I want you to go, Ryo-chan. I just… I don't want you to give up on your dreams because of me."
"I have plenty of time," Ryoma said. "Right now I want to be here."
Hari nodded knowing she should accept it. It was Ryoma's decision and she would support it, she just needed to be sure that he didn't give it up just because of her.
"Sorry," Hari said. "I might have overreacted a little, I just…"
"I know," Ryoma said. "I'm sorry as well. I should have talked to you about it."
Hari dove forward and attacked him in a hug making him grunt but hug her back. She smiled into his shoulder.
"You're the best brother in the world," Hari said.
She didn't need to see him to know that he was blushing.
...
Hari reached for the journal when Ryoma left the room. It was nice having talked it out with Ryoma and while she still felt a little guilty for him giving up the opportunity like he had she felt better. She opened the journal and saw the answer from Hermione.
She was (as Hari expected) horrified about the whole Horcrux thing, and scared. It was part of the reason why Hari hadn't wanted to tell her. But the end of the reply had Hari thinking.
Amelia Bones, apparently Head of the Department of Magical Law Enforcement, had reached out asking for a meeting. Hari agreed with Hermione when she thought it was about Sirius. Hari didn't know anything about the woman, so it was hard for her to know if they could trust her.
Hari stayed seated for a while thinking until she reached for her two-way mirror and called for Sirius.
"Sirius Black."
A moment later Sirius became visible in the mirror.
"Hey, Hari," Sirius smiled.
"Hey," Hari said.
"How are you?" Sirius asked.
Hari grimaced, "good enough. I just…"
She was reminded that she hadn't told Sirius yet. Could she do that now? What if he did something rash?
"What's wrong?" Sirius asked concerned. "I know you've been hiding something lately."
Hari grimaced. "It's a couple of things…but first things first. Hermione wrote to me and said that Madam Bones had reached out to her and Ron asking to meet them."
"Amelia Bones?" Sirius asked.
"Yes," Hari nodded. "You know her?"
"I don't know her personally, but she has a reputation as someone fair and strict," Sirius said. "At least before I went to prison. Wait a moment. Moony!"
Hari heard Remus coming closer and heard Sirius ask Remus about Bones.
"She's fair," Remus said. "She's known for being strict, but willing to hear others out."
Hari hummed, "I see."
"You said Hermione and Ron would meet her tomorrow?" Sirius asked.
Hari nodded, "yes."
"I don't want them to get in trouble," Sirius said.
"If she's fair then she'll listen to them," Hari said. "Hermione knows how to explain what happened."
Sirius looked pensive and a little worried.
"And there's one more thing…" Hari said knowing it was time to tell them. She had postponed it long enough, and Rinko had been asking if she had told him yet. "But I want you to promise me that you won't do anything rash, Sirius."
"What is it?" Sirius frowned.
"Promise me," Hari said. "I need you to promise. I'm dealing with it, and I don't need you acting without thinking and getting yourself caught before we can get your name cleared, okay?"
She saw Sirius looked to the side, probably to where Remus was, before looking back at her.
"I will think it through," Sirius said. "I promise."
Hari looked at him for a moment before she sighed knowing it was the best she'd get. She inhaled deeply before she started to tell him.
...
Somewhere in Russia
...
Sirius paced the floor cursing the fact that he had promised to think before acting. He felt Remus' eyes on him, and his oldest friend was looking pale himself.
"That…bloody monster!" Sirius growled. "How…how dare he!"
"Calm down, Padfoot," Remus said. "Remember your promise."
"I don't care!" Sirius snapped. "I can't just sit here useless when she's fighting for her life!"
"At least she's got help," Remus said.
"I keep failing her," Sirius growled. "I should be there with her!"
Remus sighed.
Sirius couldn't believe that he wasn't there. He should just go back, see her and make sure that she'll be okay. How could he sit here and fail her? Was his own freedom really more important than her?
No, but what use would he be if he got caught again.
Remus watched him.
"Are you willing to take a risk?" Remus asked. "Not anything rash, but I think I have an idea…"
Sirius felt a spark of hope. The look on Remus' face told Sirius that he was thinking hard, and he knew that when Remus wanted he could be shrewd and come up with better solutions than he and James put together. How many times hadn't Remus saved them at school?
"Okay," Sirius said. "Tell me."
Later, when Sirius had followed through with Remus' plan (it was a good one) another thought entered his mind and Sirius grimaced. It was time he shared something with Hari, something he should have already shared with her, but was unsure if she was ready to hear. James had confided in him before they went into hiding and Sirius had pushed it so far back that it had almost vanished from his mind during all those years in Azkaban. But it was back now, and he knew that he should tell her. But what if this was what pushed her too far? Hari was strong, much stronger than he had been at her age, but everyone had a limit. Worry churned in his stomach.
All he knew was that he couldn't tell her over the mirror. No, he needed to be there with her when he told her. And for that, they needed Remus' plan to work. But either way, he didn't care about himself anymore. She was what was important.
...
...
AN: What do you think? Hope you liked it! XD
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