Disclaimer: I don't own Harry Potter or Kuroko no Basket!
...
...
2nd year – Teiko
"Come with me," Mac more or less ordered making Seijuro arch a brow at her. She just turned around and walked out of the gym knowing he would follow, and ignored the looks she got from the others on the team that had shown up from practice that day.
They walked in silence until they reached a park not far from the school, it was a park she and Daiki had been at often at the beginning of their first year when it was only the two of them and he still loved basketball. She saw that a few older teens had already arrived and smiled.
"Mac?" Seijuro asked looking confused and Mac almost smiled.
"I thought we could play a little street ball with them," Mac said, "it's been a while since I've got to play like that and Daiki won't anymore."
Seijuro blinked and looked at the court behind her, he saw the older boys who were looking at them with arched brows but a few were smiling a little. He wasn't sure why. He would guess they would be high school students at least, if not even university students.
"You want us to play them?" Seijuro asked.
Mac nodded, "it's been a while since playing has been fun. I thought you might like to play just for fun as well. Forget about how powerful everyone is becoming, forget about playing only for victory and making the school seem good. Just…let go and have fun."
Seijuro looked at her for a moment with an unreadable look on his face before he smiled and nodded, something seemed to lessen and his shoulders relaxed slightly.
"Alright," he said making Mac smile wider at him and turn to walk toward the group of older teens with Seijuro following after her.
"Potter-san," one of the boys greeted her with an easy smile, "it's been a while since you've been here. Where's Aomine-san? And who's your friend?"
Seijuro glanced at her when he mentioned Daiki and while he was sure no one else noticed he saw the tightening of the jaw as she smiled at the boy.
"I know," Mac said, "things have been busy so I haven't had a chance to come as often anymore. And, Daiki, is busy. But I brought another friend today, he loves basketball as well. Akashi Seijuro, he's on my team at school."
Mac glanced at Seijuro and smiled a little, "Seijuro, this is Nakatani Akio."
"Nice to meet you, Akashi-san," Nakatani Akio smiled easily and Seijuro nodded politely. "Let me introduce the others to you."
Mac sat down on the bench and gently opened her bag making sure that everyone was paying attention elsewhere. She smiled when she spotted Nao resting and blinking blearily up at her, she was very pleased with the magical changes Newt had done to her bag. Nao was much happier with it and he had room to run around while she was in class. She closed the bag again and smiled a little, she did feel a little strange being here without Daiki. It felt different and like she was losing something, but she really wanted to find some joy in basketball again and thought that Seijuro would need to as well.
She looked up and saw Seijuro greet the last one and look at her making her smile a little again, he was looking more relaxed but at the same time wary. He was hiding it well, though, and she was sure the others only saw a cold looking teen.
"Potter-san," Ikeda Juro grinned down at her, "I was starting to think you've forgotten all about us."
Mac chuckled and shook her head, "Nah, just been busy."
The older teen was four years older than her, so 17 and already in his second year at High School. His blond hair was reaching his shoulders and he normally fastens it in a ponytail with a rubber band when he played so it wouldn't get in the way. His grey eyes were sharp and were looking at her with a pensive look.
The others came to greet her as well, she felt a little uncomfortable with the attention but she knew they didn't mean her any harm. She had met them with Daiki and had used the time to get used to the way they acted and therefore was more comfortable with seeking them out to find the joy in playing basketball again.
Kawaguchi Ryuu was a serious type who barely smiled and looked more comfortable with a frown on his face than a smile, but Mac knew he was a good guy and had a soft side as well. His grey hair was short and blue eyes serious. He did give a small smile when she met his eyes though.
Kimura Hayate was a cross between Ikeda and Kawaguchi, not as serious but not as cheerful either. He smiled at her and gave her a wave, his sandy blond hair had gotten a little longer since the last time she saw him and he had pale blue eyes, in contrast to Daiki's navy blue.
Then, of course, there was Nakatani Akio, he was easy going and seemed to always be smiling. He was the one Mac got along with the best, and she knew he was also in his second year at High School. He had short dark hair and brown eyes that reminded her of chocolate.
Seijuro came up to her and she grinned at him, "ready to play?"
"Yes," Seijuro said.
"Alright," Nakatani Akio said, "I'll join you and we'll play the other three, ok?"
Mac nodded and dodged his hand when he reached out to ruffle her hair, he grinned at her and she scowled.
"Stop it," she said but there was no real heat in her voice.
"Sure, sure," he said easily.
...
Seijuro wasn't sure what to think as he played with Mac by his side, Nakatani was easy to play with and caught his passes and had a nice shot. He had not been expected Mac to drag him with her to a street basketball court after practice. It was – different from what he expected, too. It was fun and easy, like breathing and no expectations. He passed the ball to Mac who with an elegant twist was on the other side of Kawaguchi who had been guarding her before shooting and scoring another hoop.
Nakatani high-fived Mac and Seijuro smiled when Mac bumped his shoulder with her own happiness in her eyes and he realised that he hadn't seen that look in her eyes in what felt like forever. He made a note to make sure she wouldn't lose herself to the pain of their team breaking apart; they had to find some way to bind them together. He would do anything to keep a smile on her face, he promised himself.
Passing and setting up his teammates seemed easier and like breathing now as he played, he heard the banter and teasing between the others and the complete lack of…resentment and bitterness. It was refreshing, Seijuro thought as he stole the ball from Kimura and passed to Nakatani who again passed to Mac before getting the ball back.
...
"You're good as well," Ikeda commented when they had finished, and while Seijuro and his team had won it wasn't made a point of it. "Potter-san has talented friends."
Mac rolled her eyes and sat down next to Seijuro, before speaking up, "of course I do."
Nakatani smiled and looked between them, but he didn't say anything. Seijuro frowned wondering what he was thinking. The others were also looking at them with considering looks and Ikeda had a teasing look in his grey eyes.
"Are you dating?" he asked.
Mac choked and Seijuro arched a brow at the older teen who was grinning now.
"No!" both Seijuro and Mac said at the same time which of course got some raised brows and Seijuro glanced at Mac who was looking at them blankly now.
"We're not," Mac said steadily, "he's one of my best friends."
Seijuro felt warmth fill his chest at being so easily claimed as a best friend, he knew Daiki was her best friend but to be considered as one of her best friends was enough to make him feel accepted and warm. She was his best friend, without question and it was both scary and warming at the same time. Scary because being dependent on someone, to think of someone like that was a weakness and his father was always going on about how friendship would only bring him down. Warming because having someone like that was making everything in his life seem better.
"Okay," Nakatani said interrupting Ikeda who was about to say something again, no doubt to continue teasing them. Seijuro was glad the other teen interrupted before he lost his own temper and said something stupid. "That's enough, Juro."
"Fine," Ikeda said crossing his arms but his eyes showed his earlier merriment.
Nakatani shook his head before turning to Mac and Seijuro again, "you're both playing at Teiko, right?"
Mac nodded, "yeah."
"Oh, the Generation of Miracles," Kimura murmured and Mac tensed on the bench next to Seijuro who felt his own shoulders tense at the mention of the moniker other schools and even their own had been giving them lately.
"We've even heard of you in High School." Kawaguchi said a serious look in his eyes, "it must be hard."
Mac glanced at him before looking away, she wasn't about to say anything about it and she knew that Seijuro felt the same way. It was hard, but they wouldn't talk about their team or the problems within their team with anyone else. It was none of the business.
"Well," Nakatani said breaking the silence that fell over them, "you're welcome to come and join us here whenever you want. It was fun playing with you both."
Both Mac and Seijuro nodded and watched as the teens left leaving them alone on the bench watching the court as the sky was starting to get darker.
...
Seijuro blinked when Mac reached for her bag and opened it, he was about to say something but nothing came out when he saw the fox being lifted out of her bag. He blinked again and only closed his mouth when he noticed the amused look she shot him.
"What…" he started making the little fox cub growl at him and Seijuro felt like backing up but kept quiet as Mac started to pet the fox in a gentle manner to calm him. He wanted to tell her it wasn't safe, but it was clear she knew what she was doing.
"His name is Nao," Mac said, "I just got him."
"You got him?" Seijuro repeated.
"He's mine now," Mac nodded, "a friend of mine saved him after his family was killed by humans. So he is a little wary of humans, but he somehow decided I was okay and refused to let me go without him."
Seijuro looked at the f…no, Nao, and saw the way he burrowed into her hold and had stopped growling. His reddish-brown fur was only broken by the white mark on his forehead. He looked to still be quite young.
"Did you keep him in your bag?" Seijuro asked.
"Um, yeah," Mac said looking down at Nao, "he refuses to be left at home without me and I have to go to school, so…"
She shrugged and Seijuro stared at her for a moment before shaking his head and look at Nao again not saying anything but wondering how that worked.
"Anyway," Mac said breaking the silence, "are you okay?"
Seijuro glanced up at her again to find her looking at him with a worried look, the knowledge that she saw him as one of her best friends and had taken the time to spend the afternoon with him made up his mind. He sighed and looked out over the court, with the two hoops on each side and the worn chalk marks on the ground.
"I'm worried," he admitted quietly not looking at her but knowing she was watching him. "I'm scared."
Mac arched a brow at that admittance and gently placed Nao down so he could run around freely for a little while, but her eyes were on Seijuro who was looking lost and pained and…vulnerable.
"What are you scared of?" Mac asked when he didn't say anything else. She kept her voice calm and soothing, and he glanced at her for a moment before looking back over the court.
"Myself," he whispered. "Sometimes…I feel like I'm losing myself to…something. It's like I'm different and I don't know how to stop it."
Mac knew what he talked about, she had seen the change and knew it was a legitimate concern. She was also lost on how to answer him and reassure him that everything was going to be ok. To know that he was aware and worried… it made her heart break for her friend.
"Oh, Seijuro," she sighed, "I wish I could fix it."
He glanced at her and saw the sincere wish in her eyes and nodded, "I know. I'm not telling you because I expect you to be able to fix it. I just… I don't know." He frowned frustrated, he hated feeling helpless and lost.
"Is it because of the team?" Mac asked.
"Mostly," he sighed, "I feel like I'm losing control over them. We're winning, but at the same time we're losing. They'll leave us behind."
Mac inhaled and closed her eyes briefly and couldn't really argue with what he was saying, he was right. She felt it too, the feeling of being left behind and the gap between them all widening. Just how could they fix it?
"I know," she whispered,"but, Seijuro, we also have each other. Tetsu is also feeling the loss of the team, and he's doing his best in fighting for us all. We all have to keep fighting for us. We're a team even when we're falling apart."
Seijuro looked at her for a moment before he nodded. He would try to keep her words in mind but he could feel it happening as they spoke, his grip of who he was was slipping. He would try to keep holding on for the first person who had ever claimed to be his best friend and who needed him. He was going to try.
...
Sato's house
Mac shifted nervously on her feet as Sato stared at Nao in her arms, she was barely aware of Daisuke and Sachi gaping behind their father and Kaori blinking stunned next to her children as she waited for her professor to say something.
"You've got a fox."
It was a statement and not a question but Mac felt the need to nod anyway. Sato shook his head a little but he smiled slightly.
"I see," he said. "And how did you come across the fox? Is he magical?"
Mac glanced down at Nao who was growling softly as he eyed the others with wary brown eyes, she looked back up and explained meeting Newt and Tina Scamander and how she had met Nao. She explained what she knew of Kitsune's and that Nao was one before telling them about the changes Newt had made to her bag.
"You met Newt Scamander?" Daisuke asked breaking the silence first his eyes were wide and he looked at her incredulously.
"Um, yeah," Mac nodded.
"I'm so jealous!" he sighed before he smiled, "I love magical creatures and it was my favourite class. I really enjoy his book about magical creatures, and would have loved the chance to talk to him about it."
Mac blinked before smiling slightly, "oh."
"He won't tell anyone you're here?" Sato asked a thoughtful look in his eyes. "You know he's a close friend of Albus Dumbledore."
Mac nodded, "yeah, I know. He promised that he wouldn't tell anyone, and said he understood why I wanted to stay."
"Hm," Sato frowned, "I guess we just have to trust that he means that."
Mac looked a little worried but she nodded.
...
"Flipendo!"
Mac cast and the training dummy was knocked back several meters and she breathed out as she had been practising the jinx for the last fifteen minutes.
"Enough," Sato spoke up and she straightened and looked at him where he was seated behind his desk. "Good work. You have good power behind you jinxes and I believe you might be ready to try harder level curses and jinxes soon. It's important to build the foundation, though, so the higher level jinxes will work better and easier. This jinx is also known as the Knockback Jinx and has two more levels of power. The more powerful version of the Flipendo is Flipendo Duo and then Flipendo Tria. I want you to practice this for the next fifteen minutes, but first: what could defend against this jinx?"
"The shield charm," Mac said instantly, "it will rebound the jinx to its caster, or you have to dodge it."
Sato nodded, "and how does the knockback jinx feel to the one being hit with it?"
Mac took a moment to think before she answered, "well, like a blow to your chest and you're being knocked back with a loud bang."
"Good," Sato said. "Now, let's practice the level two and three."
Mac nodded and focused on the training dummy.
"Flipendo Duo!"
The red light shot out of her wand and knocked into the dummy making the dummy flew even farther back than before. The dummy came forward again and Mac cast the jinx again forcing it back. She repeated this several more times until Sato told her to change to the next level.
Mac inhaled and nodded and watched as Sato conjured more training dummies making her eye them warily. She was starting to feel tired, but she kept focused on the situation in front of her.
"Flipendo Tria!"
As soon as the jinx left her lips the blue light shot out of her wand and unlike the straight line of the other two jinxes it formed a sort of tornado and moved forward faster and faster knocking the dummies back even further and only Sato's shields hindered them from knocking into the bookcases and causing them to fall to the ground.
"Good," Sato said but Mac noticed that he looked a little surprised as he stared at the dummies. "You've got real power to your spells."
Mac smiled pleased.
...
"So, have you done your homework in Charms?" Sato asked after a lunch break and watched bemused as Nao refused to be let down from Mac's lap.
"Yes, sir," Mac nodded.
"Ok, so what makes charms different from transfigurations?" Sato asked.
Mac tried to remember what she had read in her Standard book of spells, grade 1 and repeat it to her professor.
"In transfiguration, you will change an object into something completely different," Mac started, "but with charms, you add certain properties to an object or creature. It focuses on altering what the object does and not what it is."
"Very good," Sato said and continued to give her more theory of charms and how they worked. She worked to write down a list of the different charms and what they did.
At the end of the lesson, she was asked to perform a cheering charm and did so nervously on Daisuke who had said himself willing to be her test subject. Mac couldn't help but feel nervous about it, but Daisuke just smiled and reassured her that it would be ok.
"Good work today, Mac-san," Sato said when the lessons were finished for the day. "I am glad to see that you're not so distracted anymore."
Mac nodded but didn't say anything, she knew she had been distracted the last few weeks and it had been affecting her magic lessons. She had been grateful that they hadn't commented on it and not pressed her about the reason why.
"Well, you should get going and start your day over again," Sato said in a clear dismissal making Mac nod before turning and leaving the study.
...
Teiko
"Are you ok?" Daiki asked giving Mac a concerned look.
"Fine, just tired," Mac yawned and gave her best friend a tired smile, "busy day."
Daiki nodded knowing what she meant, he gave her one more concerned look before turning back to the lesson still going on. Daiki knew she was going to magic lessons as well and was a little worried that she was doing too much, but knew better than to say something about it. She would just shake it off and insist she was fine.
"Hi Mac-cchi, Aomine-cchi!" Ryota grinned when they ran into him in the hallway outside of their classroom. "Come eat lunch with me!"
Mac exchanged a look with Daiki before nodded in agreement and followed the excitable blond toward the cafeteria.
"I have a photo shoot later today," Ryota said looking at them with a wide grin. "I barely have time for practice after school today."
Mac knew Ryota had been hand-picked by a photo magazine to be a model and she had to admit that he had the looks to be a model, but she wasn't sure she liked how arrogant he became talking about it. Or…the fangirls he got.
And talking about fangirls… Mac winced at the loud squeals that sounded as soon as they spotted Ryota in the cafeteria. She hid her scowl as she sat down next to Daiki on the regular table. Ryota hadn't sat down yet being surrounded by a group of girls.
Mac frowned and looked down when she saw the way Daiki was watching the girls that surrounded Ryota, she wasn't sure why she felt a heavy lump in her stomach at the sight and why did her chest feel so heavy?
"Hello," a quiet voice sounded making both Mac and Daiki jump and Mac looked up and saw Tetsuya sitting next to her already eating.
"You scared me, Tetsu!" Daiki exclaimed holding a hand to his heart.
"Sorry," Tetsuya deadpanned.
Mac frowned a little, "did we just ignore you when we sat down?"
Tetsuya's blank look was answer enough and Mac sighed feeling bad.
"I'm sorry, Tetsu," Mac said. "I didn't mean to ignore you."
"It's alright," Tetsuya said. "Are you okay, Mac?"
"I'm fine," Mac smiled at him, "I'm just tired."
Tetsuya looked at her for a moment longer before nodding and accepting her explanation. Soon also Shintaro and Seijuro came and joined them before Atsushi came with a snack covered tray. Mac gave Seijuro a look and he gave her a smile making her smile back, neither noticed the dark look Daiki sent them.
"Finally," Ryota sighed as he sat down but he was grinning.
Shintaro pushed his glasses back and gave the blond a cold look before he turned back to his food. Mac just shook her head and focused on her food. It felt a little awkward and the silence between them was…stifling.
...
"Midorima," Mac said calling the attention from the stoic green haired player who turned to look at her. "Could you help me with something?"
He stared at her for a moment before pushing his glasses further up his nose. Mac waited for him to talk.
"Help you with what?" he asked.
"My math homework," Mac frowned, "I can't understand it and I've been so tired lately that I can't find the extra energy to sit down and really study it. Could you help explain it to me?"
Shintaro looked at her for a moment longer before he nodded, "Ok, not that I care if you get it right or not."
Mac felt her lips twitch and nodded.
"Thank you," she said and he nodded again before turning around and walked toward his classroom for the next class.
Mac let out a soft sigh, she hated asking for help but she really was too tired to try to understand her latest math homework on her own and Shintaro was the only one she could think of to ask for help. Well, besides Seijuro but he had enough on his plate with basketball and his father, so Mac decided to not ask him.
Daiki stepped up next to her and gave her a look before they started to walk to their next class that was English literature.
...
"I don't want to practice," Atsushi said efficiently silencing the gym where the team was about to prepare for practice. Mac stilled where she was warming up and looked at the tall centre who was looking bored and mulish. "If we don't have to practice as long as we win, then I don't want to practice."
Mac frowned at his wording and wondering what he meant. If they don't have to practice as long as they win?
"Don't be stupid," Seijuro snapped and Mac glanced at him with a worried look in her eyes. "He'll never allow it!"
Mac felt like she was missing something now and she really wanted to know what it was, but she didn't really have time to think about it as the confrontation between Seijuro and Atsushi was still going on. She had a really bad feeling about this and she bit down on her lower lip as she watched the two teammates.
"Why? I won't lose," Atsushi whined before his voice changed slightly and he levelled a hard look on Seijuro. "Besides, I've only listened to you because I thought I couldn't beat you. But lately, I think that might not be the case anymore."
Mac inhaled sharply as the words, the challenge, registered in her mind. She knew that Seijuro wouldn't let that go and he would respond. The bad feeling flared up and she withheld a sob as she fisted her hands wishing she could intervene somehow, but how? A look at the frown and glare at Seijuro's face told her that interrupting would be a bad choice and he wouldn't listen to her or anyone else now.
"Shit," she muttered drawing the attention from Shintaro who arched a brow at her but she didn't look away from Seijuro or Atsushi.
"I don't want to listen to someone weaker than me," Atsushi said and you could have heard a needle drop in the gym as everyone was now holding their breath.
...
Mac stood helplessly at the side of the court and watched as Seijuro and Atsushi were playing one on one, a lot stood to lose at this match and Mac feared it was more than just Atsushi's attendance during practices. Tetsuya was standing silently next to her with a concerned look in his teal blue eyes, while Shintaro was on her other side not showing what he felt on his face but she knew he would be just as worried as the other two was.
"What?" Shintaro gasped when Atsushi blocked a shot from Seijuro and Mac swallowed thickly as she watched Seijuro on the ground of the gym breathing heavily with Atsushi towering over him.
"To think the game would be so one-sided," Ryota commented somewhere besides her but she didn't pay attention knowing that with Atsushi only one point from the victory would push Seijuro even farther.
Why couldn't she do anything? Mac asked herself with a bitterness she didn't know she possessed. It was almost like seeing Daiki losing his love for basketball all over again, watching how Seijuro was struggling and she knew he was struggling. Again, did she have to watch one of her best friends lose himself because of how powerful they had grown?
She dug her nails into her palm as she fisted her hands staring at the scene. She should be able to do something! Anything! She wasn't supposed to just having to watch this happening again!
"Honestly, I'm pretty disappointed," Atsushi said in a cold voice making Mac flinch for Seijuro who didn't move a muscle. "I can't listen to you anymore."
The lost and desperate expression on Seijuro's face hit Mac more than she could say and a tear escaped her eyes but she quickly reached up to dry it away.
"Whatever, when I make this I'm doing what I want," Atsushi said dribbling the ball.
...
He was...going to lose? He, Akashi Seijuro, was going to lose? Impossible! No way! Something was rising inside him as he stood still in front of Atsushi, and he felt his control slip. He remembered the conversation with Mac earlier that week and knew it was happening; he was losing himself to the other. But…but if that presence could keep Mac smiling and keep the team together, wouldn't it be worth it? He had to win, no matter who his opponent was! He had to win, it was everything! Only by winning could he keep her smiling; only winners could protect those they cared about! For her! For his best friend. He had to win.
Something snapped inside of him and it was like he could sense what was happening around him, his head snapped up just as Atsushi was moving to get past him and he saw what was going to happen and he knew he would stop it.
"Because I always win, I am always right."
...
...
AN: Thank you for reading! :)
I will admit that some changes are made to how Seijuro 'changes', but mostly it will be the same. Reasons for the differences are that the motivation behind the change is a little different from canon. Or should I say that the added wish of keeping Mac happy and smiling is the difference so that might lead him to act a little different than in canon.