Chapter Three: Hikari no Naka de Mita Osanai Kioku wa
TRANSLATION: Inside of the Light, I Saw My Youthful Memories
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Squee: Pokespeech or Strasahn
Squee: DragonSpeak
Squee : Telepathy dragon to person, or person to person.
Squee : Telepathy, pokemon to person.
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REVIEWS:
Golden Warrior 12: You have no idea how much your review made me cackle. "Don't play hooky, you'll miss the knowledge cookie!" Snicker. My teachers are kinda like that too. But it's summer now, yippee! What did you get grounded for? Oh, so I'm mighty now? Ohohohoho! (blush) (eyes narrow) Did you just call me Fluffy?
MarshmellowDragon: Hai, I update quickly, ne? Gohan and Draco fight like me and my friend Devin. I've known him since freshman year, and I used to like him, but now he's like my obnoxious, know-it-all big brother who's actually a few days younger than me! (coo) He likes to antagonize me, because he's a Taurus and I'm an Aries. It just works that way. Yep, it's Lupin-sensei!
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Gohan yawned as he awoke the next morning, waking Aoi-tachi with his movements. Kira nuzzled his face as she got up and stretched, letting out a sleepy, happy sound. Gohan beamed and gently nudged Hikaru awake.
"Ohayo, minna-chan." He greeted and was rewarded with similar sayings, Pikachu's being rather rude.
How can you be so be damned cheerful? She asked groggily, and was scooped up to sit upon the saiyan's head.
"Easy." He responded, and put Pikachu down, before striding off to take a shower. Pikachu shook her head and turned to Kira and Aoi.
Hey, these other lazy butts are still sleeping! She exclaimed, and exchanged evil grins with the other two.
"Don't even think about it!" Gohan yelled from the bathroom, as usual, knowing his pokemon better than anyone. Pikachu rolled her eyes.
Wet blanket. She muttered, and a wet towel was tossed in her face, courtesy of Gohan. Cute. Real cute. She growled, yanking irritably at the pale blue collar circling her neck. It wasn't that it was tight, or uncomfortable; after all, Gohan would never stand for that; it was just different. Neither Hikaru nor Aoi minded their collars much, Hikaru having spent a lot of time with Hinote (Who wore an everstone collar) and Aoi liked hers, saying it was pretty.
Several minutes later, Gohan stood in front of his rather obnoxious mirror, surveying how he looked in robes. He had to admit, silver and green didn't look half bad on him. After a moment, he buckled the wand holster that he had gotten the night before over his upper arm before slipping his wand in it, so it fit snugly, but in a position where he would be able to whip it out in a split second if necessary.
Oi, Gohan, why the hell are we up so early? It's five in the morning! Pikachu griped, and the saiyan rubbed her head, smiling mildly.
"I wanted to go see the groundskeeper, Hagrid. I heard a bit about him last night, he sounds cool." Gohan stated, straightening his robes a bit.
(A/N By the way, I'm gonna skip the Buckbeak incident. Just pretend it never happened. Okay, I'll shut up now. Watch as Ikill the Potterverse…) Kira stretched again and leapt off the bed, Aoi behind her, tail waving.
Yes, well, are you sure he'll be up yet, master? The Aoinu asked, and Gohan shook his head. No matter how many times he told her, Aoi would probably never stop calling him that.
"Dunno. Only way to find out, right?" He asked, and Pikachu shrugged.
I guess. She admitted grumpily, jumping to Gohan's shoulder. The boy said nothing but gestured for his pokemon to follow him out the portrait hole and down the hallways. Gohan was never so happy that he had inherited Chichi's sense of direction.
It didn't take too long to reach Hagrid's hut, but to Gohan's disappointment, it was empty.
That's the breaks. Pikachu grinned. Lets go get some breakfast. Suddenly, Aoi reached up and grabbed a hold of her ear, giving it a yank. Ow!
Oh, shut up. Aoi quipped. If any of you would use your brains you would see that the person we are looking for is several meters away, petting a very strange looking animal. She remarked, very matter of factly. Gohan sweatdropped.
"I knew that."
Sure you did.
By now the huge man had caught sight of the group and was waving them over. Gohan obliged and approached him, eyeing the strange creature that was tethered to the fence.
"What is that?" He asked, and Hagrid chuckled.
"This, me' friend is called, a Strasah. (STRAW- sah)" Hagrid said, and a smile grew across Gohan's features.
"She's beautiful." He breathed. The Strasah, as it was called, was like a huge, horse sized jungle cat. Her ears were pointed like a domestic cat's though, and huge midnight black feathered wings were folded flat at her shoulders. Her coat was short and black, but the backs of her legs were feathered with long, silver fur, and if he squinted Gohan could see faint dapples in the sea of black. Kira backed up when she saw the strange animal and hissed angrily, sensing what she saw as a feline rival. The Strasah merely turned her head to put an emerald stare upon the Delcatty, before apparently deciding the pokemon wasn't worth her time or energy.
Grrr... Why I oughta-! Kira spat, and Gohan rested a hand on her head in an effort to calm her down.
Chill out. The Strasah purred in her language, cocking her head. Don't hate me 'cause I'm bigger than you.
Grrr-! Kira was cut off as Gohan stepped in front of her, to prevent the imminent World War Three.
"Now now." He muttered, before running a hand over the Strasah's ears. "She's beautiful."
Darn right! By the way, my kind refer to me as Rapier. She commented, sniffing curiously at Gohan's robes.
"Yep, found 'er this mornin', killin' off me' chickens." Hagrid said.
And boy were they tasty! Rapier interrupted, licking her lips in delight.
"Thought she'd make a good lesson."
Gohan stifled a laugh and smirked, stroking her head absently. As he did this, Hagrid gaped in disbelief, before pointing at him silently. The saiyan blinked.
"What?" He asked.
"Y- You're touchin' her!"
"Yeah? So? Thy point being?" Gohan questioned, quirking an eyebrow in curiosity. In all honesty, he couldn't see why Hagrid was making such a big deal about that. So he was petting an animal he knew nothing about, that for all he knew could slash him open in a heartbeat and tear out his innards. Oh yeah, no big deal, indeed.
"So? So! Do y' know nothin' about what I have here!"
"Apparently not. Mind elaborating on the subject at hand?" Gohan inquired.
Gohan, your sarcasm's showing. Kira meowed, tilting her head.
"Shut up, Kira."
"Kid, Strasah never let anyone touch their fur, much less their wings like you were doin'! Especially when they have a cub!"
"A cub?"
Oh, almost forgot. Honouji, this is my cub. Rapier purred and Gohan wondered how exactly she could forget something like that, and moved a wing from around her side, revealing a tiny, miniature version of herself. Gohan's jaw dropped, as did the half-Giant's when the large cat nudged her baby forward, closer to the saiya-jin. The kitten mewled and at his mother's encouraging nuzzled Gohan's robes.
My little one is very young, and has no name yet. Would you do the honors? Rapier asked, tilting her head. Or would your feline companion have objectionsto that? She added coldly, sending a scathing glare to Kira. The Delcatty hissed but backed away slightly.
I have no problems. Kira said stiffly, eyes narrowed. Gohan bent down and picked up the kitten in his arms, where the little felis played with his bangs, before he nearly severed a bit with tiny but razor sharp claws. Gohan chuckled and gave a genuinely amused smile.
"I have the perfect name." He said.
Well, Honouji?
"Katana. It's a type of Japanese sword. With claws like that, I think it fits." Gohan explained, continuing to ignore the Gamekeeper. Rapier smiled discreetly at him in typical cat style then brandished her claws at Hagrid, waggling them threateningly and almost teasingly, who at Gohan's persuasion began backing away nervously.
Katana it is.
"Well, I'm glad you like it, but why did you ask me to name your child?" Gohan asked, stroking Katana's head. Rapier stared at him, sizing him up and down.
I wish for you to look after him. She stated. Gohan's jaw dropped, and continued to drop. Kira hissed again, and asked her partner's question.
Why Gohan? Why can't you ask that Hagrid guy to look after Katana?
Rapier's head jerked up and she roared, outraged.
How dare you! She exclaimed, calmer than she looked. Hagrid tries to care for us the best he can, but he is NOT suited to raising my baby. At best, he understands only the most rudimentary body language. Katana needs to communicate with one who can speak with him. One who understands him. Only your master is fit to handle a Strasahn cub. And as for the reason I cannot continue to care for him is that the forest where we live is very deadly. There is a reason why Strasah are so rare. Rapier stated in a no arguments voice. When put that way, even Kira had to agree with what the giant cat was saying.
"Yeah... but-"
Gohan. Kira said, nudging his side. I don't like her, but please oblige Rapier.
"But-! I have classes! How am I going to care for a Strasah cub!" Gohan was almost hysterical now. "I'm sorry, I'd like to help you, but I don't have the time to give him the attention he needs!"
All he needs for now, dragon child, is love and food. He knows to stay put if you tell him so and not to destroy things.The only things that he requiresare very easy for you to give.
Gohan would have protested further, but at that moment Katana opened his eyes, displaying a deep, sapphire stare. The kitten mewed trustingly, nuzzling the hands that were reflexively supporting him as one would a human baby. Gohan stared down at him, and Katana mewed again, before yawning. Automatically the saiyan's gaze softened, and he sighed, unable to deny this tiny scrap of kitten what his mother was asking of him.
"Alright. I'll do it." He said simply, watching Rapier for her reaction. The cat stepped forward and nudged his cheek, before turning to her cub.
You stay with Gohan, okay? She asked, and Katana merely curled up into a ball and drifted to sleep. Rapier smiled, and Kira lifted her head to sniff the little ball of fur resting in Gohan's arms.
"Kira, please be nice to him. Could you treat him like you do Hikaru?" Gohan requested, kneeling down so the Delcatty got a good look at Katana. Violet eyes softened just a bit as Kira came closer.
Okay. I won't begrudge the kid with any malice I may possess for his mom.
That statement made, Rapier nodded and sat down by the pole she was still tied to.
"Hey, Rapier?" Gohan asked.
Yeah?
"If your species is supposedly so vicious, why are allowing Hagrid to tie you to a pole?" Rapier smirked.
It's my hobby.
"What is?"
Freaking out the little kids. The old teacher did a lesson on me every year, because I would let her catch me every year. A lot of fun, that was. Can you believe it? My mother always said I was insane.
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"Oh, what am I gonna do with you?" Gohan asked in exasperation as the clocks struck 6:00 am. The saiyan and his pokemon were sitting on the floor of thethird year boys dorm, watching Katana play with a shoelace like only a kitten could. "I have classes in an hour, what am I gonna do, I could leave the little guy here by himself, but he's far too young for that." Gohan stood and began pacing, rubbing his temples.
Gohan?
"Oh boy. What am I gonna do?"
Gohan!
"Maybe if I put him in my bag no one would notice?"
Gohan!
"What is it, Kira?" Gohan stopped pacing and turned to look at Kira, who was sitting on her haunches, wearing a frustrated look. Aoi was curled up to the side, cuddling a currently sleeping Hikaru. Kira got to her feet, and hesitantly nuzzled Katana, who mewed and licked her cheek playfully.
I'll look after the brat for ya. The Delcatty stated, swishing her tail. Pikachu shot up and accidentally let off a Thundershock, Aoi quirked an eye ridge (Where she would have eyebrows should she have eyebrows. ) , and Gohan stopped short, jaw hanging.
"Kira..-"
Don't say it. Kira snapped, and turned to face her trainer. Please. Let me do this. Gohan frowned slightly, and the Delcatty got to her feet, tail straight out, ears back, and posture defensive.
"Why?" Was all the saiyan could say. "What's with the change of heart?" Kira merely stared at him, head lowered.
Gohan, I wasn't raised by my trainer as Skitty.
"Nani!"
Even Aoi was shocked at this, and she had seen things, being as (well, how can you say this politely?) old as she was.
That's right! My mama abandoned me when I was born, and I stumbled upon a Moon stone soon after. I never had anyone to tell me to stay away from humans, no one cared. My trainer only caught me because Delcatty are rare in the wild. This was spat in bitterness, and Kira radiated scorn and anger; anger with herself. I was an idiot. I was so young and stupid that I waltzed up to my bastard trainer without a fear in the world! Maybe if I had had had anyone it wouldn't have turned out like it did. Kira's head was so low to the ground that she didn't notice Gohan's ebony eyes soften. I just can't let something happen again. I can't! I want to look out for him! She was cut off as Gohan lay a hand on her head, silencing her.
"Alright then." The Gryffindor smiled and kneeled down to the feline's level so that they were eye to eye. "Okay. But-"
Thank you! In a second, Kira jumped him and had the young saiyan pinned on his back. Aoi sat up and smirked, and Pikachu was flat on her back, giggling madly. Suddenly, a noise was heard, and Draco sat up from his bed, rubbing his eyes.
"What is with you? It's too early." The boy moaned, placing his pillow over his head. Gohan grinned and leapt to his feet, before eagerly wrenching the pillow off his fellow third year's face.
"Up, Sunshine!" He chirped in what he well knew was the most irritating tone he could muster, skipping over to the other side of the bed. Draco scowled at him and Gohan bent down, so he was about 4 inches away from the pureblood's face.
"What do you WANT?" He fell right into Gohan's trap.
"Get up! Mush! The day is young, don't waste it." Gohan then preceded to do a strange happy dance. Pikachu snickered as her partner stopped suddenly and whipped out his phoenix staff and pointed it at Draco's face, suddenly serious. "Do not cross me! Get up!" There was no response and Aoi smirked, spraying ice cold water all over the two. Gohan yelped and shook his hair out, splashing the other boy with more water. Draco growled again but sat up before changing into his uniform.
"You are cruel." He snapped, and Gohan shrugged.
"Not my fault. Aoi's."
Hey! Aoi protested at the saiyan's teasing.
"I'm kidding." Draco promptly gaped.
"What!"
"What?" Gohan asked at the steel eyed boy's outburst, rubbing Aoi's head.
"You... you understand her!" Draco inquired, standing and wringing out his hair. Gohan stopped short and quirked an eyebrow, before realization showed on his face.
"Oh, sorry." He apologized. "Where I come from, it's not really unusual to be able to speak with your pokemon. I personally know three others who can. I talk aloud without thinking about it." As he said this, a sweatdrop began rolling down the back of the trainer's head. Draco raised an eyebrow but didn't respond, wondering if this was just a Japanese thing.
"Whatever."
Excuse me Master, don't you have class? Aoi interrupted, and both boys jumped, but for different reasons.
"What did she say?'
"Aoi is ordering us to leave, I don't know 'bout you, but I don't wanna be late!" Sure enough, the clock beside the other boy's bed said 8:00 sharp, and Gohan grabbed his new friend's arm, to drag him down with him. "Come on!"
"But what about the other idiots?" Draco inquired mildly, and Gohan flapped a hand at the other still sleeping Slytherins.
"Don't bother about them! It's their own damn fault. Aoi, if they're not up in twenty, drench 'em!" The saiyan child snapped and Draco snickered as Aoi seemed to do a salute and snarkily began to patrol the dorm while the Boy-Who-Hated-The-Boy-Who-Lived was dragged out. Once out of the portrait hole a broad grin spread across Gohan's face and the trainer shook his head in mirth. Despite himself, a grin was also beginning to grow on Draco's face.
It seemed to be one of Gohan's main talents. That is, the new boy was simply impossible to dislike. Gohan was just one of those people you couldn't help but like, no matter who you were. Draco was snapped out of his ever-attractive stupor by Gohan jabbing him in the ribs, looking extremely put out about something.
"Huh?"
"Oh, real intelligent." The saiyan rolled his eyes. "I asked you if you had any idea of where this 'Charms' class of ours is. Baka."
"What? What did you call me?"
"Never mind. Now where's this classroom?"
"Turn left here!" the silver-haired boy responded and swiftly they ducked into the elusive classroom. Most students were already there, save the Slytherin boys, and from her seat Hermione was shooting them dirty looks, for some reason or another. Draco snorted and shook his head.
"Mental, that one," he told the hybrid, "I suggest that you avoid her. Insufferable know-it-all if there ever was one. Avoid Potter too, while you're at it. And Weasel. Come to think of it, just stay away from the Gryffindorks entirely. They'll only get you in trouble."
"You know, Malfoy-kun," Gohan told him with a shake of his head, "You really should let people choose who they want to know on their own." the saiyan inclined his head as Harry sent a short wave his way and sat down calmly in a seat by himself, blinking when Draco seated himself next to him.
"Wow, you're suddenly social and you don't want to kill me, how sweet." Gohan crooned, whilst Draco smirked at the quip.
"Don't flatter yourself. You're the only other intelligent person in this classroom. At least, I hope so." he muttered, then scowled as Harry made his way over, Ron and Hermione trailing behind him.
"Ohayo gozaimasu," Gohan greeted, then gained a sheepish expression at confused looks from both Harry and Draco.
"I truly hope that that meant, 'shove off you stupid cow'," Draco muttered, and with a slight grin of amusement Gohan turned and shook his head.
"Sorry to disappoint you, Malfoy-kun." he told him, "Nothing quite so informal. It was more along the lines of a good morning."
"Right, you're still getting used to speaking English on a regular basis, huh?" Harry inquired, and the other boy nodded.
"Yes, and it's frustrating the proverbial hell out of me."
"What are you doing here anyway, Potter? Go the hell away."
"Hello to you too, Malfoy." Harry replied sarcastically, sitting down beside Gohan.
"Harry, are you going to stay here?" Hermione inquired quietly, confused that Harry would come in and sit with the new boy as opposed to the two of them like he always did in Charms. Harry shook his head despite himself.
"Yeah, I think I will. Don't worry about it." He told her mildly, and she narrowed her eyes questioningly, but didn't push it.
"Alright, then." they were all surprised that two of them left the issue be, and with not so much as a backward look Ron and Hermione went to sit at another table.
"Why are you here, anyway?" Draco snapped. "Are you scared that we'll contaminate you with our slimy-ness?"
"Oh, shut up, git. I'm not here because of you."
"Thanks so much," the Malfoy drawled, "I would simply hate to hold so much influence over your highness-"
"I'm here to talk to Gohan, not to you. Plus the fact that Ron and Hermione are dating, not that it's any of your business, you stupid reptile." Harry finished, glaring, the look on his face saying 'And don't you dare forget it!'. Gohan blinked but scooted over to make room for the other boy, just as Professor Flitwick scurried into the classroom, looking a bit flustered.
"So sorry for the delay." He squeaked, looking over his class. "Peeves." Was the only explanation, and the entire room broke out in snickers. "But I fixed him good!"
"What's Peeves?" Gohan asked, and both boys answered as one,
"Poltergeist."
"Peeves likes to prank people, but by now he should know not to aggravate a teacher." Harry added.
"What I want to know," Draco cut in, appearing to accept the fact that his arch nemesis was going to sit with them for the time being, "Is what the hell he dared to do!"
"Ah," Gohan said in amusement, "Now that you mention it, I kinda do too, now." Draco smirked and promptly began clueing the other Slytherin in on all of his exploits and how Peeves didn't dare to prank members of their house because the Bloody Baron, their House ghost, refused to let him. Harry absently shrugged again, not really paying attention to his rival as Professor Flitwick began explaining how to perform a charm to turn someone blue.
Gohan meanwhile was half-listening and fingering his wand, slightly nervous. Hell, how was he supposed to know what they were doing, he hadn't done any magic in his life! The only color changing techniques he used were of his own ability, nothing more. However, he did his best to listen to what the teacher was saying and when Flitwick gave them permission to try the charm on mannequin heads that were really quite disturbing and must have been used in beauty school his and Draco's were the only ones to actually work. Harry got it on the next try, and the rest continued to make attempts. The girl on the other end of the room, Granger, also got her's on the first try.
Gohan scowled. For some reason the girl just annoyed him, and he couldn't figure it for the life of him; maybe it was because he was exceptionally competitive. The saiyan blinked when he looked over and saw the muggleborn shooting him a very superior smirk and he glared. Gohan was shocked when his wand heated up slightly in his hand, almost responding to his anger. From beside her, Harry raised an eyebrow with an expression that clearly said "Is it just me or did the temperature in here just dropfifty degrees?", exchanging the look with the blonde beside him. The saiyan shrugged just a bunch of boys raced into the classroom, dripping wet. As it was, Gohan had to plaster his face to his desk to keep his snickers from being heard.
Crabbe, Goyle, and Blaise promptly had 5 points taken away and sat, scowling at anyone who commented on their soaking clothing. Despite himself, Gohan found himself feeling a bit bad about what he had done and declared it, Harry responding with a mild grin and Draco congratulating him on a job well-done, he had never much liked Blaise, apparently. As Goyle fixed a stupidly suspicious stare on him, Gohan merely smiled innocently and cheerfully waved, waggling his fingers teasingly. Sure, it was a good way to make enemies, as he was rewarded with several burning glares, but in Gohan's book it was worth it.
Oh Gohan-chan! Aoi sang in his head suddenly, and the saiyan got a strange visual of the Aoinu doing a strange happy dance. Gohan sweatdropped.
-Uh.…- He remarked in telepathy, feeling now was not the place to seemingly talk to oneself.
HiHi, Gohan-chan! She chirped, in a manner that was far too cheery.
-Uh, hi.-
Are they there? Did ya see 'em? Aren't they wet?
-Yeah Aoi. You did a damned good job on 'em too. They're glaring at me.-
I'll come over there and fry their pansy asses!
-Aoi, you're a water type.-
Fine, I'll get Hikaru to fry their pansy asses!
-Go ahead. But wait 'til later, okay?-
Okay! With that, the familiar voice left his head, and Gohan decided he had better concentrate on his scary mannequin head. The only problem was, that he kept trying to keep it a solid blue, but his wand insisted on adding silver and gold streaks, that while looked pretty was NOT what he wanted.
"Baka wand." He growled softly, glaring at it. If wands could smirk, that was what this one was doing. 'What is with this thing?' He thought to himself. Then Gohan shook his head, then smirked as Goyle glared at him again. 'Hey wand. Wanna cause some trouble?' He asked mentally, and his wand cooled, significantly. A smug, affirmative cooling. 'I shalltake that as a yes. Now...' Under the table, Gohan gleefully cast the blue charm, aiming it at the gorilla. Goyle's hair promptly turned bright, (Not to mention solid.) sapphire blue.
The boy didn't notice it at first, but soon snorts and snickers filled the air, and stricken, the bulky Slytherin made his gruesome discovery. As Flitwick changed his hair back to spiky bristly brown, Goyle shot Gohan a furious glare, which was happily returned. Like with Hermione, Gohan found that most people here seemed to rub him the wrong way, save very few. Harry quirked an eyebrow.
What's with him? He didn't act like this last night! At least, not really. The wizard thought to himself, focusing his gaze upon Gohan, who caught his eyes evenly. Harry shook his head. He didn't have a problem with the hair incident, in his mind the other boy deserved it. The rest of the class passed with the three pranked boys glaring solidly at the saiyan, who thoroughly ignored them. It was their own problem if they couldn't wake up on time.
Transfiguration was no better. There seemed to be a sort of cold war going on, there was no outright fighting, or even arguing, but everyone with half a brain could tell that something was up. It was strange, though, Slytherins rarely fought amongst themselves!
The last class of the day was Potions. That was the one Gohan was looking forward to. Though from what he heard, Professor Snape favored the Slytherins and despised Gryffindors, he liked the Head of House for reasons unknown, even if no one else did.
When they walked in, as expected, Gohan chose a seat in the shadows with Draco and Harry, who seemed to settle into a temporary truce. It worked in both their favors, Harry got someone intelligent to hang out with and Draco got someone who appreciated the fine art of sarcasm just as he did. It couldn't have been better. As they sat down and took out the supplies, Gohan rummaged through his bag.
"So... what do we do in this class?" The saiyan asked, shaking his bottle of cockroach legs with a disgusted expression. Harry grinned and shook his head, while Draco sighed.
"The class is called potions, idiot. We make potions." the blonde said slowly, as if speaking to a very small child. A very small, stupid child. Gohan promptly hissed at him.
"This class bites." Harry growled.
"That would be, hero, because you are a Gryffindork, and we," Draco emphasized the word 'we', "Are Slytherins. We are intelligent, whilst you have the intellect and wit of a white mouse. We appreciate cultured insolence, while you sit and drown in a pool of your own saliva-" Draco was cut off as Harry lashed out angrily, hand swiping roughly across Draco's cheek, leaving a red mark.
"Shut up, reptile." the emerald-eyed boy hissed, anger radiating off of him as Draco reached for his wand.
"Alright, bring it on, hero, I can take you!"
"No one will be taking anyone." Gohan said sternly, wrenching both boys back into their seats, "Honestly, if I knew that you were going to be this much trouble I would have sat by myself." the saiyan seemed honestly angry this time, and the other two fell silent as his eyes sparked furiously, "And for that matter, I don't want to hear anymore nonsense from either of you. I don't care if you are rivals or enemies or whatever you are, but I won't put up with immaturity. Deal with it yourselves, but I won't put up with this. So you can either go away and settle your little spat away from my vicinity, or you can both calm down and handle yourselves like adults." the saiyan's tone was scathing, and both Harry and Draco's cheeks burned pink.
"Ah. S-sorry." Harry stammered out, feeling indeed very childish, and grudgingly, Draco nodded, scowling darkly at their table, as if willing a hole to burn through it.
"That's better." Said Gohan in the same quiet tone, with a nonexpression generally associated with Piccolo that revealed nothing of how he felt. As Snape suddenly swooped in and announced the potion that they were going to prepare, along with several scathing comments, Gohan pulled out a spiral notebook and a black gel pen, to begin scribbling rapidly in Japanese every word the professor said. Head tilted, Harry leaned over and examined his potions book, only to furrow his eyebrows in frustration. Apparently, this was Snape's idea of a joke.
The potion they were attempting to make was a healing drought, but one wrong move and it would explode. How ironic. Snape obviously wasn't happy that Harry had actually managed to do a potion correctly last time. Damn that greasy bastard.
For once they were doing solo work, so everyone was on their own. The Potions Master had made it perfectly clear that no one was to help each other. Do it and die. Neville was having a hell of a time, and even Hermione had a frustrated look.
Gohan sighed as he watched everyone else work, before grabbing, as he called it, his demented looking pencil holder and plunking several ingredients in while holding his book in his other hand.
"Hmm, six drops of rat saliva? Ewwww. That's repulsive." The saiyan muttered darkly, grabbing a dropper and disgustedly administering the clear liquid. From his right, Harry snickered. His thoughts exactly. Then, a folded slip of paper was pressed into Gohan's hand from under the table, and with a raised eyebrow of curiosity, the boy opened it.
This is gross. Pass this to the reptile. Was messily scrawled in print. Gohan smirked and exchanged a glance with Harry, who shot him a wounded expression.
Just wait, it get worse. Draco replied, passing the paper back to Gohan.
How?
Snape hates the Gryffindorks but it's distracting when he gets all pissy. It's impossible for any of us to get any work done.
Excuse me, pissy? I'm the one he's swooping over.
Wow, sucks to be you.
Ha ha, pathetic Potter.
Shut up, reptile.
Now, now, children. Play nice, before I beat you.
Gohan, you're scary.
Here's to that. You need anger management.
Shut up. I don't piss myself off on purpose.
Really?
Yes, we hadn't noticed.
Your potions are boiling over.
At this, Harry and Draco both gave soft, agonized yelps that weren't heard, and glared at Gohan when they realized that for the time being their potions were still alive. Or as alive as a potion could be. They were too much alike, Gohan realized, and began to plot. Bwahahaha…
You're evil.
You're nasty.
You know it.
Idiot.
Git.
Do shut up. Gohan scrawled, and was rewarded with satisfying scowls from the boys beside him. In a moment of immaturity, the Boy-Who-Lived blew a silent raspberry. Gohan's smirk only widened and he pulled down his eyelid while sticking out his tongue. Harry tilted his head in slight confusion. What the hell was that! In any case, he doubted that it meant anything good. With a shake of his head, Harry began to ignore his classmate and stirred in his dragonfly wings.
Inwardly, Gohan smirked. He found he rather liked Harry, he really did. Draco too. Before, people only wanted to know him because he was league Champion, save Sasuke, Lance, and Yumi, and after Yumi rescued him from.. other things.. he had found it very hard to make friends. Either because there was no one very talkative up there, or they simply didn't like him. All the Kais save for North Kai seemed to resent him very much. Said that mortals shouldn't be allowed up there. BUT, Yumi and Sasshi were Kaioshins, and that made them superior. So what they said went.
How goes chem' ? Pikachu asked in his head in curiosity. If Gohan hadn't been so used to this by now he would have jumped and spilled his cockroach legs. But he merely smiled to himself.
-It's potions, Pik. Not chemistry.-
Same thing.
-Basically.- Gohan conceded, before looking to the front of the room after feeling a pair of eyes on him. At his desk sat Severus, and ebony met ebony in a silent stare down of sorts. The saiyan shook his head, then yelped loudly as Neville's potion suddenly exploded, drenching himself, Gohan, Harry, and Draco. The pudgy Gryffindor panicked and Severus growled, before swooping down to glower meanly at Neville, who cowered under the spy's glare.
"Mr. Longbottom. Did I not specifically tell the class not to stir their potion for more than six turns for each added ingredient?" Severus hissed, and terrified out of his wits, Neville nodded. Gohan shuddered. The potion burned on his skin, as tough as it was, and the sensation intensified the longer it touched him. Harry also had a slight grimace of pain but he hid it well, masking his emotions. Snape sighed.
"Twenty-fivepoints from Gryffindor, for your utter incompetence, plus a detention and staying after class to clean up your mess. And students who got potion on them, you are excused to go to the hospital wing. Save for Mr. Longbottom, of course." This was said with a sneer as the three boys left the room. Gohan sighed a hallway down and leaned up against the wall. Harry, who was walking with him stopped and quirked an eyebrow in slight confusion.
"What are you standing around for? The infirmary is a long way off. And I'm not sure if you're aware of this, but this is really quite painful." The black-haired wizard growled, turning and placing his hands on his hips. With a grin, Gohan reached to his belt and extracted a black and pink pokeball, twirling it between his fingertips.
"Promise not to tell?" The saiyan inquired mischievously, with a sly rise of his eyebrow. Both being naturally curious boys with insatiable talents for gathering secrets, Harry and Draco nodded, keeping their eyes on the ball being carelessly spun. "Really, I'm trusting you both not to tell, because if you do I can easily make it so you can never tell anyone anything." the saiyan threatened.
"No worries, Gryffindor pride."
"Slytherins don't tell on Slytherins." (Gohan was suddenly reminded of that ad: Friends don't let friends drive drunk) With a grin, Gohan tossed the ball in the air, and with a flash of white light, they caught sight of one of the most amazing creatures they had ever seen, even with what Hagrid had exposed them to over the years.
Pure silvery white shiny scales, with a dragon body, and very tiny; with silver eyes. Hell, it was so tiny that it could easily fit on Gohan's head. When it tilted its head, Harry saw two rows of needle sharp teeth, and the claws alone could slash him to ribbons. However, other than the fact that Gohan had a dragon at all, the strangest feature of all were the little animal's wings. They were quite large, considering the creature's body size, and as opposed to leathery wings like Norbert had, this dragon's wings were feathered in silvery white.
While Harry and Draco were looking very much like codfish, Gohan beamed and stroked the top of his dragon's head affectionately, like one would a puppy dog. The creature trilled and purred at him and rubbed its cheek against his.
"Hey there, Hikari. I'm sorry I haven't been able to take you out very often lately." Gohan apologized, and was rewarded by a coo, then a noise of concern when she caught sight of the splashes of potion on their robes. "We're alright, but I believe that we would appreciate it if you would help us out a bit with Morning Sun?" The saiyan asked, and Hikari leapt from his shoulder and hovered in the air with a flap of her wings. There was a soft humming noise and a warm, golden glow, and in seconds all pain was gone, as well the robes were as good as new. Gohan beamed while Harry continued to stand there awestruck. Draco was a bit more comprehensive, but still completely, for lack of better words, gobsmacked.
Hikari seemed to sniff and ruffle her feathers in indignation when no thanks came from either, (Yes, they are still in shock. Silly little bakas. Oh well, doesn't stop me from loving them both just as much.) and a small smirk grew across Gohan's features as he shooed Hikari to sit on Harry's shoulder with a stated,
"She wants a thank you. Can't blame her, really." Harry snapped out of it with a jump, and thanked the dragon perched on his shoulder, who cooed at him and nuzzled the messy, ebony hair. Tentatively, the Boy-Who-Lived reached out and ran a finger down her smooth back, between her wings. Hikari shivered in pleasure and arched her back, very much as a cat would. Not about to be left out for a single second, the blonde walked over and patted the dragon's head gently. A grin spread across his features, and emerald eyes met ebony in a knowing exchange. Somehow just being in Hikari's presence made him feel carefree and happy, like nothing could touch him as long as she was there with him. If Gohan felt like this at every encounter, it was no wonder why the saiyan never seemed stressed. Of course, he HAD only been there for a day, but still.
Draco suddenly felt an odd whooshy sound go flying through his ears and suddenly it was like he was melting into a puddle of warm, happy, squishy Draco-mushy-goo.
Gohan was ecstatic, but for different reasons. When creating Hikari, he had given her an excellent sense of character. Seeing as Harry had a silly, almost blissful expresion on his face, it seemed Hikari approved of him. Not even Sasuke had been accepted so quickly, and he was the truest person Gohan had ever met. Of course, Sasuke these days was discovering the horror of dirty magazines, so that may have had an effect. He always knew Sasuke was a perv. Needless to say, Yumi had NOT been pleased when she found Sasuke's collection the last time she and Gohan had visited.
Damn that had been fun.
But the fact was, though he could have easily just erased their memories, memories were things that no one deserved to lose and it would have weighed over his mind forever if he had been forced to do that.
"Interesting." Gohan mused, walking over and petting Hikari. "She must really like you for her to take to you so easily."
I like them. Hikari told him in DragonSpeak.
I can see that. Gohan replied in the same fashion, making the same trills, purrs, and chitters that categorized DragonSpeak.
They remind me of you. Said Hikari, tilting her head.
Really? How so?
It isn't the power, nor the aura, but the heart and emotions that I can sense. Dragons could see people's characters with just a single glance. Though even a fool can tell that they are very powerful. Very much like you in the fact that the black-haired one has a bit of a martyr complex, and the blonde's soul is very strong. Clouds of guilt hang over him, plus his personality feels like you. Kind of. Hikari declared, before a little dragon smirk graced her features.
-Hi there.- She stated to Harry, who jumped.
"What!"
-I said, hi. What, not used to a dragon talkin' in your head?- Hikari asked good naturedly. Numbly, Harry nodded. -Well, geez. Gohan, what's wrong with you?-
-Oh, hush.- Gohan chided, very used to speaking mind to mind. "Hey, you alright?" He asked in concern.
"How in the bloody hell are you doing that!"
-Dude, you can do it too. As long as you have a connection to a telepath. Just broadcast your thoughts. Visualize what you want us to feel, sense, or hear. Just relax, okay?- Gohan instructed to both, feeling very much like a teacher. Harry blinked, and Draco nodded. Somehow, the hybrid believed that Draco would be the one to get this quicker.
"That's it?" Both Hikari and Gohan nodded, looking very smug. "Okay then.." - Like this?- He thought very hard, and was surprised when Gohan broke out in a grin. And also at how truly easy it was for him to do it.
-Exactly. See, it's simple. And now that we have a link set up, we can talk like this in class as opposed to passing notes like we were before.- Gohan grinned a megawatt smile and slung an arm around Harry's shoulder and back around to Draco, taking care not to jar Hikari. "Let's go to the library or something, since we don't have to go back to class." The saiyan remarked, and Harry shook his head.
"No." Said the dark haired boy. Gohan quirked an eyebrow.
"Excuse me, who said that you had any say in anything?" Draco snapped, apparently remembering that the two were enemies.
"Was I talking to you, reptile?"
"Stupid Gryffindork-"
"Do I need to separate you two?" Gohan asked, raising an eyebrow, eyes narrowing.
"No, no…" Harry muttered, holding Hikari calmly in his arms.
"Good."
Let's go for a walk outside. After all, Potions was our last class of the day, and Snape isn't expecting us back.- Draco suggested mentally, obviously wanting to get some practice, and Gohan beamed.
-Okay, that sounds fun.- Gohan responded, absently petting Hikari's head.
-Where are we going?- She asked telepathically, and both boys stared at each other.
"You know," Harry stated, looking over the dragon. "I think that with some work, you could be almost tolerable, if you were threatened with death every time you made a snide remark, eh, reptile?"
"Shut up."
"Damare, both of you."
END CHAPTER-
Oleander
Small and pink
A more harmless plant you'll never seek
But if you make
The grave mistake,
One bite you take,
Your heart shall break.
--Falcon, on Oleander. (One of the poisonous effects of oleander is the stopping of the heart)
EXPLANATIONS:
I figure that I should explain this before people get confused and this story gets out of hand.
Q: Why are Harry and Draco even tolerating each other?
A: To begin with, they're only thirteen. Kids that age are very fickle. Plus that when they're that young, it wouldn't take much to get them to stand each other, because they're so much alike, and Gohan was a very good kick start. I always thought that it would be easy to get the two of them to be friends, or at least not bitter enemies, if they both had the same thing or goal that they wanted, which just so happened that they both wanted to be Gohan's friend.
Q: Why did he show them Hikari?
A: Because despite what he says, Gohan is exceptionally insecure and really wanted friends, and to do that he couldn't hide everything. He would have truly hated having to erase their memories, and if forced into that would more than likely leave the school.
By the way, Harry's referring to Draco as a reptile will more than likely be fairly permanent, as will Draco's referring to Harry as hero.