Disclaimer: I don't own Harry Potter or Kuroko no Basket!
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1st year – Too Academy
Mac woke up early and looked over at the mattress and saw Shiro still sleeping peacefully. He had sometime during the night lost the covers that were now curled together at his feet and a hand was curled up under his face. Some drool was coming from his slightly opened mouth as he snored softly. Adorable.
Mac sat up and rubbed her eyes as she glanced at the clock. It was still early and she had magic lessons to go to, but she didn't want to leave and risk not being back when Shiro woke up and besides…she didn't think she would be able to focus on her lesson with the worry she felt for her little brother.
Getting out of bed she made sure to move quietly and picked Nao up when he came over to her having woke up at the same time as she had. She scratched his ear as she made her way to the bathroom to take a shower.
Stepping out of the bathroom showered and ready to face a new day she glanced into the room and saw Shiro still sleeping. She sighed softly as she wondered what to do with this situation. She had no idea on how to help Shiro because it wasn't like she could do anything about the shadow Daiki cast. He was a good basketball player and would remain so (even if he didn't enjoy the game anymore), so the answer wasn't really there. She knew that Shiro would have to learn to live with it, but how could she help him do so without hurting him and make him resent Daiki?
"Good morning, Mac," Tarou smiled when Mac entered the kitchen.
Tarou was already seated at the table nursing a cup of coffee and reading the paper, he was smiling at her over the paper.
"Morning," Mac answered distractedly.
"You ok?" he asked concerned.
"Just worried about Shiro," Mac sighed looking at her uncle properly. "I don't know how to help him."
Tarou nodded and sipped his coffee.
"It does seem like a tough situation," he said. "Are you going to your magic lesson?"
Mac shook her head, "no. I can't focus while worrying about Shiro and I don't want to risk being gone when he wakes up. He needs me."
Tarou gave her a look before he nodded and she knew that he didn't really like her skipping her lessons, but he understood her reasoning. She doubted that she would even go to her regular school today.
"I'll call Professor Sato on the Floo," Mac said and walked to the fireplace to do what she had said and was pleased that Sato had helped them get a Floo network connected to their apartment in case something happened and she needed to get in touch with them. She didn't have an owl and they didn't have phones, so this was the best solution.
Mac sat down in front of the fireplace like she had been taught and took a handful of the Floo-powder before she threw it at the fireplace and called: "Sato's house –office!"
Mac blinked as the office came into view and she briefly marvelled over the perspective she saw the familiar office from, she could see the legs of the desk she normally studied at and the moving legs of her professor who soon crunched down in front of the fireplace to face her.
"Potter-san," he greeted her.
"Hi Professor," Mac said smiling slightly.
"Everything alright?" he asked.
"Um, I don't think I'm able to come today," Mac said a little nervously. She knew her professor was strict and she didn't really want to face his anger, but Shiro was more important and if being there for him meant she had to deal with an angry professor then she would. It didn't' mean she wasn't nervous about telling him she wasn't coming, though. She saw the narrowing of eyes and slight tension in his strong jaw.
"Are you sick?" he asked.
"No, but…" Mac swallowed and gathered all the courage she had. "My little brother, Shiro…you remember Shiro? Anyway, he ran away from his place yesterday evening and came here, and he's still here and he's upset. I can't leave him and I don't want him to wake up when I'm gone, so I can't leave and I don't think I can focus with how worried I am about him because he ran away and he has never done that before…and…"
She was rambling and probably not making any sense at all but she couldn't stop the flow of words that escaped her mouth in such speed that she was slightly worried that her professor wouldn't catch them.
"I see," Sato said stopping her rambling causing her to blink and stare at him. He didn't look angry, luckily, but he did look a little strict as he watched her. She felt like squirming, but being in a Floo call and kneeling on the cold parquet floors made it difficult and she didn't want to cough sot so she forced herself to remain still and quiet. "I understand."
"I'm sorry," Mac felt compelled to say.
"I will allow you to remain home today, Potter-san," Sato said, "but I'm expecting you tomorrow and we'll find another day to catch up with what you miss today, ok?"
"Ok," Mac nodded eagerly. "Thank you."
He nodded and started to get back to his feet, "take care of your little brother, Potter-san."
"I will," Mac said smiling slightly, "thank you. Bye!"
She pulled back and felt her body go slack in relief and let out a small sigh as she sat down on the floor. She ignored the small amused chuckle coming from the direction of her uncle.
...
"Mac?" Shiro's voice sounded just as Mac reached her room again and she sped up slightly as she pushed the door opened to her room. Shiro was sitting up on the mattress now and big blue eyes stared at her when she stepped into the room again, his blue hair was ruffled from sleep.
"Good morning, Shiro," Mac smiled warmly. "Did you sleep alright?"
He nodded and looked a little shy and not like Shiro making her walk over to him and pull him into her arms. He felt a little stiff at first, but then he relaxed and burrowed into her hugging her tightly back.
"I was worried you were angry at me," Shiro admitted quietly.
"I'm not angry," Mac promised, pulling back and ruffled his hair a little giving him a smile. "Promise."
He smiled and nodded making her smile again and hugs him one more time before getting back to her feet and pulls him to his feet. She directed him to the bathroom and told him to get ready and change.
It didn't take long before he came back out and had changed back into the clothes he had used the day before and looked more awake and more like himself, even though he was frowning. She ignored it as she took his hand in hers and led him to the now empty kitchen.
"Sit down and I'll get you some food," Mac said and he nodded.
She grabbed the food and placed it in front of him before joining him at the table and started to eat. He looked at the food for a moment before he started to eat slowly. She didn't press him or force him to talk. He needed to think and prepare for the day and she didn't want to force him to say something before he was ready.
"Are you alone at home now?" Shiro broke the silence.
"Oh, uncle Tarou has left for work," Mac said, "but Taiga is still asleep. He'll probably wake up soon and go to school. At least he should."
Shiro nodded but didn't say anything else.
...
"Do I have to go?" Shiro asked looking at her with such wide eyes, pleadingly.
"Your mum and dad are very worried about you, Shiro," Mac said getting down so she was on his level and placed her hands on his shoulders. "They want you to come home."
"But…"
"Why don't you want to go home, Shiro?" Mac asked.
"I want to be with you," Shiro said looking away.
"I'll be with you for a while yet," Mac said. "I'll go home with you and if you want I'll stay with you as you speak with your parents."
Shiro looked at her for a moment like he was trying to figure out if she was lying or not. She just met his eyes patiently waiting.
"Ok," he nodded.
Mac smiled and squeezed his shoulders gently before getting up.
...
"Shiro!" Ayano rushed over to her son and pulled him into her arms as soon as she saw him.
Mac watched silently and felt bad when she saw the small shakes her shoulders were making and looked away. She didn't want to see something she shouldn't and she felt she was invading a private moment or something.
Takehiro was also home and had come and put his arms around his wife and son as well. She stood back and waited for them to reassure themselves that Shiro was alright and not hurt, she couldn't start to understand what they must have gone through when they realised that Shiro was missing.
"Thank you, Mac," Ayano said.
Mac blinked and saw Ayano standing in front of her. She must have gotten lost in thoughts because she hadn't noticed the older woman move.
"I'm happy I could help," Mac said quietly.
Ayano hugged her and Mac leaned into the hug before pulling back and noticed that Shiro grabbed her hand having moved back to her side and leaned against her as he hid his face against her arm. She used her free arm to stroke his hair slightly.
They moved inside and sat down, Shiro plopped down onto her lap, and Mac noticed that Ayano looked at her son longingly, but she didn't say anything.
"Shiro, why did you run away?" Takehiro asked going straight to the point and Mac glanced down at Shiro. She nudged him gently when he didn't say anything.
"I didn't want to be here," Shiro mumbled.
"Why?" Ayano asked hurt but calmly.
"I wanted Mac and she doesn't try to compare me to Daiki," Shiro said still refusing to look up.
Ayano and Takehiro exchanged looks and frowned as they looked at Shiro again.
"What?" Takehiro looked confused yet concerned.
Mac sighed softly when Shiro refused to say anything and hid his face against her shoulder. She looked down at him.
"You want me to tell them, Shiro?" she asked.
He nodded.
Mac looked up at Ayano and Takehiro who both looked to be worried and slightly impatient to learn what was wrong with their youngest son. Mac inhaled deeply before she started to explain what she had learned the night before and she even showed them the bruise from that boy from his school. She saw the anger in their eyes when they realised that their son had been bullied and hurt, she also saw the pain when they realised that he hadn't come to them with his worries and problems.
Shiro stayed in her lap the entire time Mac talked and she rubbed soothing circles on his back as she talked. She felt how tense he was and wished she could ease some of the tension for him.
"Shiro," Ayano said when Mac was done talking. "We're sorry we scolded you without knowing what was wrong, and we should have asked you about it before scolding you."
Shiro looked at his mother and nodded before he allowed her to pull him out of Mac's arms and into her own and hug him.
"We'll talk with your school about the incident and figure something out," Takehiro promised. "Just know that we don't compare you to Daiki. You're Shiro and you're our son."
Mac smile as she watched Shiro with his parents. They loved him and she hadn't doubted that they would do everything they could for their son.
...
Mac didn't arrive at Too before lunchtime and she ignored the looks she got the best she could. She sat down at her desk and sighed. She was worried about Shiro, and she wanted to help him but right now she couldn't do anything else. He was with his parents and they could handle this for now. She trusted them to do it and for Mac that meant a lot.
"Kenzie," Daiki entered the classroom a little breathless.
"Daiki," Mac smiled slightly but frowned when a panting Fujimoto came running into the classroom almost colliding with Daiki.
"Is Shiro back home?" Daiki asked when he reached her.
Fujimoto frowned but adopted a worried look when Mac looked at her.
"He is," Mac nodded.
"Oh, that's good, Aomine!" Fujimoto gushed. "I'm sure he's much happier now that he's home with your parents!"
Daiki glanced at her before looking back at Mac who was pulling out a book from her bag prepared to read for the remainder of the break. She pushed down the annoyance toward the other girl while gritting her teeth.
"Is he ok?" Daiki asked and the worry in his voice had her look up and meets his navy blue eyes, they seemed even darker in his worry and she felt momentarily lost in them before she managed to shake herself out of it.
"He'll be alright," Mac said smiling to reassure him. He met her eyes and she saw the concern and worry in his deep blue eyes, (had they always been that blue?) but also some relief as she managed to calm him down.
"Why did he run away anyway?" Fujimoto asked interrupting the staring contest Mac and Daiki suddenly had found themselves in.
Mac blinked and felt herself flush slightly before narrowing her eyes at Fujimoto who was glaring at her and latched on to Daiki's arm.
"That's between Shiro and his family," Mac said coldly.
"I was there last night," Fujimoto said puffing out slightly as she gave Mac a superior look.
"So?" Mac arched a brow. "He didn't tell you last night, so I'm sure Shiro wouldn't want anyone else to know."
"Kenzie's right," Daiki interrupted and sat down at his desk. "Shiro wouldn't want everyone to know his problems."
"But I'm just worried about him," Fujimoto said quietly. "And why does Potters-san get to know?"
Mac rolled her eyes but she didn't look over at the girl as she was sure she was pouting at Daiki. If this was how she had been last night then Mac understood why Shiro hadn't said anything when she was there.
"Kenzie is family," Daiki said a little sternly, "and Shiro has always been close to Kenzie."
Mac smiled slightly but hid it behind her book and pushed down the urge to smirk at the other girl.
"Oh, of course," Fujimoto said quickly probably picking up on the defensive tone in Daiki's voice. Too bad, Mac thought it would have been fun to see Daiki go protective over her against Fujimoto.
Mac had no idea where these vindictive thoughts had come from.
...
Mac ran faster than normal as she had once more told the regulars of the basketball team to run with the ankle and wrist weights on and she had already passed most of them with one lap as she pushed herself hard.
"What's with her today?" Abe groaned as she passed him.
"She's brutal," Inoue groaned beside him.
Mac didn't hear it as she ran to pass Sakurai and Namamura who both looked ready to collapse, but she didn't look at them as she passed them. She couldn't keep the image of a crying Shiro out of her mind and she worried even though she knew he was fine now with his parents. They would take it from there, but what about the fact that he thought Daiki was the one he was supposed to be like? What about the fact that the kids at his school expected him to be like Daiki and as good at sports like him? This wouldn't be solved by just a talking to, Mac knew that. She also knew that Shiro would be upset and that he was hurt by this whole thing. She hated that. Shiro was supposed to be happy.
The way Ayano clung to her son flashed in her mind only to be replaced with Takehiro who hugged both his son and wife while looking so relieved and loving. Like parents should. She felt the way Shiro hugged her and the loss she felt when he let go and went to his mother (like he should) and Mac felt angry at herself for feeling like she wanted him to stay with her. She didn't want that! Honest! She didn't. She just… felt needed and liked it.
She forcefully pushed the images out of her mind and focused on how to help Shiro instead, and she felt so helpless. She wanted to scare the kid, who had hurt Shiro, but… he was still just a kid and she was 15 years old and older and should know better. Besides, violence didn't solve anything. Well, it might make her feel better. No, she shouldn't think like that.
"Mac!"
She blinked when someone suddenly was in front of her and she had to skid to a stop before she collided with Susa who was the one to place himself in front of her. She frowned at him.
"You need to stop," Susa frowned at her.
"I need to run," she said.
"You already ran 50 laps, Mac," Susa told her and she blinked.
She had run 50 laps? She was sure she hadn't… she frowned again and this time it was directed at herself.
"You're exhausted," Susa said with a concerned look on his face. "Come on."
She hazily allowed him to lead her to a bench and sat down. When had her legs turned to jelly? And had it always been that hard to breathe? She coughed and gasped as she tried to catch her breath.
"Breathe, Mac," a voice said.
She tried, Mac thought.
"…Mac," the same voice sounded worried now. "Focus on my voice."
In and out, in and out, in and out, Mac thought to herself as she tried to calm her breathing and felt herself slowly come back from the rising panic as she had felt herself unable to breathe for a moment. She calmed and the breath came easier and she realised that it was still Susa who was beside her with Imayoshi standing close by.
"Here," Susa said relieved and held out a water bottle.
Mac took it and was glad the cap was already off and took a greedy sip of the cool water. It felt good as it washed down her throat and dry mouth. She drank until the bottle was empty and used the back of her hand to wipe her mouth when she finally finished the water.
"What had you push yourself that far, Mac?" Susa was frowning at her.
Mac shrugged and refused to look at the older boy.
"Mac you pushed yourself too far," Susa pressed, "why? You almost collapsed on the field and still, you didn't stop. You didn't even seem to notice when you fell and scraped your knee."
Mac blinked and quickly looked down at her leg and true enough her knee was slightly scraped and bleeding slightly.
"You didn't notice, did you?" Susa sighed.
Mac shrugged and poked at her knee curiously before wincing when the pain registered with her.
"Don't do that," Susa said exasperatedly.
"I'm fine," Mac said.
"You're not," Susa said and sighed. "Oh, thank you, Nakano-san."
Mac glanced up and saw the other third year give her a concerned look before he walked away and with him the rest of the regulars beside Susa and Imayoshi. She knew that if Daiki had been there he would be the one to fuss over her, but he wasn't there and she was torn between feeling pleased that he didn't see her like this or disappointed that he wasn't the one to help her. She didn't like that the rest of the team had seen her like this.
"I really am fine, Susa-san," Mac protested once more trying to take the first-aid kit from him but he pushed her hands away and gave her a look before he continued to work on fixing her scrape.
She hissed when he pours a generous amount of some sort of liquid on the scrape and clenches her hands into fists as she looks away from him and accidentally meets Imayoshi's calculating eyes, eyes that are actually open and revealed a pair of grey eyes.
"Why did you feel like running to you couldn't even stand anymore?" Imayoshi asked arching a brow. "Even with the weights on."
Mac shrugged.
"We should tell the coach about this," Imayoshi said.
Mac glared at him, "there's no need to do that! I'm fine!"
"You don't look fine," Susa said adding his thoughts as he finished placing the bandage over her scrape. Mac was sure it wasn't needed, but she bit her protest down.
"I just got lost in thought and didn't realise just how far I'd run," Mac said.
Susa sat down beside her and gave her a long look before he sighed.
"If you don't want to tell us, fine," he said, "but you need to talk to someone, Mac. Don't deal with everything on your own."
"I don't do that," Mac muttered ignoring how the words sound like lies on her lips. She didn't really do that, did she? She talked to Daiki…well, perhaps not that much these days, but…
She glared at the two boys exchanged looks and looked away from them. She was fine, she really was. She was just worried about Shiro. That was all. It was only the night before he had come to her crying and having run away from home. It was reason enough to be worried. She would be fine when the situation was calm again and everything was back to the way it had been.
"Alright," Susa sighed. "Just promise to not push yourself that hard again."
Mac scowled but nodded and got up grimacing slightly as her legs still felt weak and her knee hurt. How had she ignored that pain earlier?
...
"Mac," a soft voice said and she blinked and looked up from her book she had pulled out to read while she ate at the local Maji Burger. She blinked when she saw Tetsuya standing by her table.
"Tetsu," she greeted. "You look good."
"You look tired," Tetsuya said bluntly.
"Ah, so blunt," Mac smiled slightly. "Want to join me?"
"Alright," Tetsuya said and sat down opposite her and she noticed that had a paper cup in one hand.
"Let me guess," she said pointing at the paper cup, "vanilla milkshake."
"How did you know?" he deadpanned.
Mac snorted, "lucky guess."
He shrugged and took a sip through the straw. She watched him as they sat in silence for a little while and she thought he looked more content than he had before and his once haunted eyes weren't as haunted anymore.
"How is it at Seirin?" Mac asked breaking the silence.
"Good," Tetsuya said, "we are training hard to be able to get to Inter-High."
Mac nodded and took a bite of her burger, "and Taiga?"
"He's good," Tetsuya said. "He's here, you know. He's just waiting for his order."
Mac arched a brow and looked at the register and saw her cousin who was now turning around carrying his tray with a tower (there was no other word for it) of burgers. He looked around until he blinked and spotted her and Tetsuya.
"Ah, looks like he's coming over," Mac said.
Tetsuya nodded and made room for him to sit beside him in the booth. Mac watched as Taiga slid into the booth next to Tetsuya and smiled at her.
"You're here," Taiga said.
"Didn't feel like cooking," Mac shrugged.
Taiga nodded and Mac blinked as she watched him demolish a burger faster than most people, well Daiki might eat as fast as Taiga.
"You're going to choke," Tetsuya said and Mac saw how he glanced at Taiga.
"I'm not," Taiga scowled.
"You should slow down," Tetsuya deadpanned and sipped his vanilla milkshake.
Taiga scowled once more before taking a large bite of his next burger and swallow before starting to cough, and Mac arched a brow when Tetsuya reached out and clapped Taiga forcefully at the back until he coughed up the piece of burger again.
"Told you," Tetsuya said.
"Hmph," Taiga wiped his mouth and took a sip of his coke.
Mac felt her lips twitch amused as she watched them bicker and the easy tone between them. She remained silent though as she watched the two through the meal and she felt a little surprised seeing the easy friendship between the two. She remembered Taiga complaining about Tetsuya when they first met, now it looked like they were good friends.
"You're close," she commented at the end of the meal.
"We're not!" they both say and then glare at the other.
Mac chuckled amused and feel a little lighter than she had before entering the burger place.
"Sure you're not," she chuckled, "my bad."
"Anyway, how's the mini-Aomine?" Taiga asked.
Tetsuya blinked and looked at Taiga before looking at Mac who frowned at Taiga.
"His name is Shiro," Mac said, "and he's alright, I think."
"Oh, good," Taiga said.
...
"Want to play a game with us, Mac?" Taiga asked tossing the basketball between his hands as he looked at her. "It could be fun."
Mac almost said yes but then she remembered Susa's strict voice ordering her to not play any basketball for the rest of the day and Imayoshi had even gone so far as to voice his agreement with a serious voice without any trace of teasing. She had never heard him talk without the teasing note in his voice before and honestly, it creeped her out. Who knew she thought Imayoshi's teasing voice was better than his serious voice?
"I can't," Mac sighed pouting slightly.
"Ah, come on," Taiga urged.
"It will be fun, Mac," Tetsuya added.
Mac sighed, "I really can't. My captain and vice-captain ordered me not to play anymore today."
The light and shadow pair blinked as one and she almost laughed.
"Why?" Tetsuya asked even sounding worried.
Mac shrugged.
"Mac," Taiga frowned at her.
"I just overdid it at practice today, ok?" Mac looked away from them. "And they overreacted and told me not to practice anymore today."
"What did Aomine say?" Tetsuya asked.
"He wasn't there," Mac shrugged. "He doesn't know."
"You're not telling him?" Tetsuya asked.
"Why should I?" Mac asked. "I'm fine and there's nothing he can do about it. He has enough to worry about with his brother, anyway."
Tetsuya frowned but didn't say anything else much to Mac's relief.
"Well, I should get home," Mac said, "I have homework. See you later, Tetsu. Taiga."
The two boys waved at her but frowned slightly as they watched her walk away.
...
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AN: Thank you for reading! :)