Harry Potter and The Academy of Heroes - Chapter 4
The school festival was an… interesting affair. While sports festival was made with publicity and heroic course in mind, the school festival was much more closed affair addressed to the community built around U.A High. Alumni, parents, younger siblings, and the students themselves all came to enjoy a moment of peace. Or, if your name was Harry Potter, being dragged around by two overenthusiastic upperclassmen. When they introduced him to Tamaki Amajiki, he could fully understand why the teen was so utterly exhausted. At least he thought that was it.
To be frank, though, Harry had more fun in that one day than ever before in his entire life. His stays at the Weasleys' were always great and all, but he never truly fit there. He was an outsider and he could feel it, no matter how much Ron and the twins tried. Here? Here… he belonged. Those people had quirks like him. They, much like him, wanted to help people. In here, he wasn't a guest. He was a part of it. An element of a larger whole.
"Are you enjoying yourself, Potter-san?" a squeaky voice startled Harry. When he looked around, there was a little chuckle. "Down here."
As he looked down, he instinctively jumped back as he saw the Mouse-Bear-Dog Headmaster standing right next to him. "Nedzu!"
"In the flesh. Am I a…"
"With all due respect, sir, but I believe I've heard that quote several times now." He interrupted the chimera. "Can I help you?"
"Yes, actually. I would like to introduce you to an acquaintance of mine." The cheerful rodent started to walk toward where the crowd was gathering. Harry shrugged. Not like he had anything to lose here. He followed the man… person to where he was being led.
When he arrived, Nedzu was proudly standing next to a regally-looking woman dressed in black and blue wizarding robes of the highest quality. They weren't exactly the same robes as in England, but Harry himself had few sets of Japanese Wizarding robes.
Politely, the teen bowed while greeting the woman. He got hit by Snape enough to know how to be polite. Or at least not embarrass himself (and by extension his teacher) immediately.
"Potter Harry. It is my pleasure to meet you."
"Potter-san, this is Hayashi Kasumi, the Head of D.O.M.E, that is Department of Magical Education."
"Good afternoon." She spoke in accented English.
"What do I owe the pleasure?" Harry asked, looking at Nedzu in confusion.
"You present us with a… paradox of sorts, Potter-san," Hayashi began. "As the winner of Tri-Wizard tournament, you in theory automatically achieve the highest possible grade in the advanced combat magic exam, as well as passable grade in the advanced practical magic exam. Yet, you do not possess basic exams in either of those. I believe in Britain, they are NEWTs and OWLs respectively."
"I do?" He babbled before his brain caught up with the information.
"Indeed. While Japan, like most of the world outside Europe, broke from that cursed Statute of Secrecy and International Confederacy of Wizards, the laws governing Tri-Wizard tournament are much older. I believe they were established some two hundred years in the past."
"So… what does it leave me with?"
"Some people question if you deserve those scores and the de-facto permission to practice magic for personal uses unrestricted. Mostly, they point out that due to your quirk, it's impossible to tell how much of the tournament was actually done with the wand." The woman noted that Harry was starting to get angry, especially when some scales began to form on his hands. "Don't worry, I am the one who will make the final decision."
On the other side, Harry was indeed getting angry. Winning the tournament was an achievement he worked hard for. Sure, a big chunk of it was due to his quirk (disguised as an Animagus form), but he couldn't very well stop having a quirk. It would influence him one way or another. Then again, charging in like a Gryffindor wouldn't get him anyway. From his (admittedly short) experience, Japan felt a bit like a country of Slytherins. Being direct was an insult. He had to pull on his Slytherin side.
"I trust your judgment, Hayashi-sama. But let me ask you this: would there be any debate should Delacour have won?"
"I'm afraid I do not entirely understand your point." She was clearly baffled, which spoke well. When someone is confused, they're already one foot into the trap.
"She was a part-veela. Much like a quirk, she too possessed outside abilities."
"I see your point now." Madame Hayashi now had a pensive look on her face. "But it is not the same. See, being a part magical being is not the same as having a quirk."
"Please clarify. In Europe, quirked are usually treated as dark creatures." He caught her. "And if it the magic that is a problem, my quirk lets me change into a phoenix, a distinctively magical creature."
"Those are all valid points, but it does not solve the problem with lack of distinctive talent in magic. While in Europe, the quality of magical education was mediocre, here the ability to properly use magic is a requirement to be allowed to use it freely."
"Why not test him now?" Nedzu piped in. "We could ask Potter-san to do a show on stage for us, allowing him to present some magical feats that would let you judge his skill."
"That would be indeed an acceptable solution. As I said before, he technically already passed the exams in the wanded subjects, so by showing us his knowledge, I believe it would've been sufficient proof."
"Potter-san?"
"I'll do it." Harry nodded, before pushing through the crowd to get behind the stage. He tried to look confident, but inside he was slightly worried. He did train with his wand in his spare time and would probably easily pass the OWLs (the practical part at least) in Brittain. In Japan? He had no idea about how their basic exams looked like even.
Still, it wouldn't stop him. He had a Slytherin side, but there was time to be a snake, and time to be a lion. Now, it was time to roar.
Red and Yellow mist slowly poured onto the stage. The crowd stopped chatting and looked up to see the spectacle. Somewhere in the back of his mind, Harry realized that Nedzu planned it from the beginning. If he looked into the schedule of the festival, there would be a magic show right there at this moment.
Harry waved his wand and turned the stage unbreakable. He smirked. His next wave caused an explosion in the center as he marched confidently forward. During his walk, the public could marvel as his day-to-day clothes were morphing into traditional wizarding robes in blue and black (the typical wizarding colors in Japan). He could be seen and heard constantly muttering under his breath, but that could be excused. Not even all adult wizards could cast wordlessly.
From his wand shot red, yellow, blue, and green sparks, lighting up the darkening sky with a myriad of colors. With a wave, a ring of fire appeared around him, slowly eating into the ground as Harry selectively canceled the unbreakable charms. He lifted part of the platform about five feet above its base and continued the show. With (somewhat sloppy) cutting charms, he lifted four stones which he transfigured into stone statues of Lion, Badger, Eagle, and Snake.
"Piertotum Locomotor!" His voice echoed across the field as the four statues came to life, leaping down onto the stage. That was one spell Harry wanted to learn ever since he's seen the giant chessboard in his first year.
His show didn't stop there. From his levitating platform, Harry could be easily seen by most. He used it to full effect as lifted the four now animated figures to levitate around him. One by one, he enlarged them as they made sounds typical to their animals with another clever charm.
He then started summoning the animals one by one. First was the lion, who received a very large dagger Harry formed from smoke. It was probably a crude imitation of a sword, but excuse him for not being prepared. The dragon took a stand next to him, leaning on the weapon like a dutiful guard.
Next was the badger, who got a bouquet of flowers Harry conjured. It slowly descended onto the ground before jumping into the crowd. Instinctively, it found the trio of upperclassmen friends and handed Nejire Hado the flowers. She smiled happily at Harry and waved to him while jumping in place.
Harry, for his part, blushed lightly. That wasn't exactly his intention. Not that he would tell anyone that right now.
As the eagle landed before him, Harry just motioned for it to fly up again.
"Avis!" He called and watched in amazement as a flock of doves appeared from his wand. He motioned for the birds to follow the eagle and let the spell on the stone statue do the rest. Birds were a handy spell he researched for distractions in his free time. Ollivander used that spell with Krum's wand.
The snake was the last one. Harry didn't have any idea what to do with it at first, but he had to do something grand. He was nearing the final. The idea came when he looked at the lion with a dagger/sword. He smirked and fired another explosive spell onto the stage below him, then levitating a large chunk of concrete. He used several cutting charms to remove parts of it until it was roughly the shape of a shield. He even carved something akin to a snake on it. He tried, okay?
The leftovers were either used to make leather straps on the back or vanished, showing his prowess in said skill. The snake received a somewhat shield and coiled around it, holding it in place.
The badger was now back on stage, standing on the edge and majestically overlooking the crowd. Snake and Lion stood on his left and right sides, as guardians and soldiers at his command. Finally, the eagle led the flock of birds on tour around.
Harry could feel his eyes getting heavy. He was stalling the exhaustion, but he was nearing his limit. He pulled on his quirk in a desperate attempt to rejuvenate himself.
He felt a small wave of energy. His body was giving him one last shot. A chance to end this with a bang.
"Expecto Patronum!" Harry didn't think. He just cast the spell.
From the tip of his wand, white mist pulsed for a second before the majestic stag pounced out. It galloped through the sky above the crowd, bathing them in warmth and safety. The flock of birds followed in the sky while badger ran after it, parting the crowd.
Harry landed the platform on stage while the crowd was still watching and let the snake and Lion also run after the Patronus.
It made two rounds. After the first, the doves vanished. When it finally returned on stage and vanished, the four figures lined on the edge of the stage before freezing in silent vigil.
Very few noticed when Harry conjured/transfigured himself an armchair, but now he was there, asleep in his robes and a ridiculous, slightly-too-big wizarding hat on his head. No one could quite figure out where the snow owl came from, but it now rested on his shoulder, watching over her pet. The four animals came to life for one more moment, to bow to the public.
Izuku was finally let out of the hospital. After he received All Might's quirk, Snape-san kept him on observation for forty-eight hours to ensure he was okay and didn't receive any adverse effects of the quirk. Then, after a thorough medical examination, he was allowed to leave the hospital. Snape volunteered to help him get home without being mobbed by the vultures a.k.a journalists. They disappeared with a crack from right in front of the crowd that was trying to get some piece of a story. None dared to try and touch Lord Nox though. His reputation was a very powerful shield.
The pair reappeared in front of Midoriya's apartment doors with an equally audible crack. To Snape's surprise, Izuku appeared completely fine. No side effects of the first apparation. Then again, he was part Kneazle now. Who knows how it would affect him in the long term. Luckily, he would be going to U.A., where professionals can keep an eye on him.
As they opened the doors, both Snape and Midoriya were suddenly covered in confetti and some glitter.
"Surpris!" Two women shouted from the left.
Snape groaned. There was a big banner with 'Thank you, Lord Nox. Welcome home Izuku!' Damn it. He had other matters to attend. Sadly, during his care for Midoriya younger, he learned how persistent Midoriya Inko really was. She was incredibly emotional, but she also didn't let her stop it. She somehow made you feel like all the woes of the world were your fault. Or at least that's how Snape read it. There was no way she would let him just leave the mini-party.
"Oi. Deku!" The blond boy standing next to the other woman called out to Izuku.
"Kaachan! Nice to see you."
"What's that crap about you having a quirk?!" The boy shouted in the other teen's face.
"They're still trying to figure it out, but I can now control fire." Izuku was proud of himself.
"Tch. You're still weak. You're still Deku. And you've got cat ears! That's even… how!?"
"Midoriya-san had complications during the operation which caused an unpredictable mutation." Snape snarled, feeling offended.
"I didn't ask you, you fucking extra!"
Lord Nox was now really bloody offended. He watched with satisfaction as the blonde woman smacked the boy on the back of his head and started to berate him for misbehaving in public. Snape tuned them out and turned to Inko.
"I trust that you've been well, Midoriya-san?"
"Oh! Yes! We're all so grateful for what you've done for my Izuku. And-"
Whatever she wanted to say was interrupted by the sound of a large explosion. Snape zeroed on the source and identified it as the blond boy… he really should learn his name, held Izuku's forearm in a tight grip while the cat hybrid was now playing with the fire.
"What. was. that." The adult seethed at the two kids in front of him.
"Tch. Neku wanted to show me his new quirk."
"And you deemed the best way to do it was to apply an explosion to his forearm?"
"Not like he didn't get that before." The boy snapped.
The hero took a critical look at the boy before looking at his mother. "I wish to exchange a few words with you and your son in private if that's possible."
"Sure. Come, brat!" The woman started to drag her son into the corridor of the small apartment before pushing him into what would most likely be Midoriya Junior's room. Snape silently floated behind them.
"What do you want?" Bakugou Katsuki glared, only to flinch when Snape reciprocated. His mother now looked slightly unnerved.
"Please show me the same explosion you applied to the boy." Snape presented his forearm. Worst case scenario he would get some shouts from Recovery Girl, but he had to check something.
Katsuki exploded his forearm without hesitation and it took all of Snape's occlumency not to wince. It wasn't painful, but he felt the force. Which meant that Midoriya boy also felt it. And he didn't have vampiric boons of being walking tank.
"Was that the same force?"
"Sure. Neku… heh." The boy chuckled darkly. "fits him now even more. Anyway, Neku always could withstand those explosions. Not like I hurt him or anything."
"Withstand," Snape stated, raising an eyebrow. "You mean that you've applied your quirk to him several times in the past, despite being aware of his status as quirkless?"
"He was just Deku back then. And he kept getting in my way."
Snape growled, scaring both blondes in the room. And there he thought Draco was problem enough. "You're perhaps the most moronic dunderhead I've had the displeasure of encountering in my life, and that's saying something given I've had classes with Weasleys."
"What's that supposed to mean!?" Apparently, temper was more powerful than self-preservation, because the boy jumped to his feet and glared at Snape. Usually, it was a bad move, but Severus Snape was, above all, an educator. He might've hated kids and everything to do with a bunch of dunderheads, but he had enough experience to know how to dismantle every single one of those brats.
"Sit. Down. And listen." He said each word through gritted teeth. "You're aware of the basic statement about quirkless people being weaker than people with quirks. Do you know why is that statement true?" Seeing that the boy was confused, he continued. "Their bodies aren't adapted to quirks. They are generally weaker, less adaptable, and more fragile. There are multiple reasons for that, but those most important are that having a quirk indirectly affects your entire body to accommodate for it."
Now both blondes were looking at him with a slightly baffled expression.
"Eh… Your body creates explosions. Naturally, you're then more resistant to them both from yourself and others. Your hearing is probably more resistant to damage due to constant exposure to loud noises having no impact on your hearing."
"So I was right. Deku didn't have a quirk and was, therefore, a useless weakling."
"There's also another reason for that. It applies mostly to Europeans as they're the most 'pure' group, but it's universal. The child usually inherits a part of the quirk from both parents. This can lead to a quirk that is the combination of both, but just as easily one side can dominate the other. That still means that some traits are passed. For example, your child might not inherit your quirk, but retain the resistance to explosions." Snape explained, glaring intensively at the boy. "Now tell me why using such a powerful explosion on someone considered quirkless is a bad idea?"
"So I could hurt him some. No big deal."
"The explosion you showed me just now would've been enough to rip an arm of a truly quirkless person off. You're lucky Japan has one of the lowest percentages of those truly quirkless. Then again, the burns should've badly scarred Midoriya at least."
"So?"
Snape shook his head in resignation. Bakugou Katsuki was bright most of the time, but he couldn't see beyond his own person. "You want to become a pro hero, correct?" Snape's seen enough of those in his career to know exactly how they worked inside out.
"Obviously. I'm gonna be the next number one hero! No one will stand in my way!" The boy hit his chest with a closed fist, creating a miniature explosion.
"Potter has higher chances for winning world potion brewers championship…" Snape muttered before smacking the boy in front of him in the back of his head, earning an approving nod from his mother. At least he didn't need to deal with another Narcissa. "Right now, with that attitude and quirk, you're a surefire for number two. That's for sure. But Midoriya will reach number one before you even get into the top ten. Do you know how the ranking's constructed?" Snape had to use his quirk to force Bakugou to sit down. The kid looked like he wanted to attack Snape (bad move), but he was too much in shock to resist all that much. "Endeavor is similar in that regard. He believes his quirk will allow him to surpass All Might. He's relying on it to win. Heroes' placement on the ranking depends on more than one factor though. Their number of captures is one thing. Their popularity with the masses is another. I am number seven for several reasons, though automatic support of about three-quarters of a percent of Japan is certainly a boost. No matter how many cases you solve, you will not win against All Might's pure charisma. He's a symbol. He's larger than life. Izuku Midoriya has those qualities." Snape always took pleasure in destroying his opponents with arguments. Perhaps it's why he both loved and hated Nedzu? He never truly won against the rat yet.
"I'll show them all!" Bakugou wanted to protest, but a wave of the wand found him gagged and bound.
"You and Midoriya both have the potential for greatness. But if you keep that one-sided rivalry between yourself, you'll end up like All Might and Endeavor. First is no longer a human, he sacrificed everything to society. The second cannot stop being just a human. Midoriya, without any quirk, was stronger than you could hope to become with the best quirk in the world." Okay, now Snape's laying it a bit thick. If anyone ever spoke about what he said in this room to anyone else, the wizard would vanish them from existence probably. "I will expect the two of you to bury the hatched before dusk." He turned to the woman. "And get your son some basic therapy. His attitude needs to be corrected if he wants to get into U.A."
He didn't wait for their response. He got up and left, thanking Inko on his way but excusing himself with prior arrangements.