Italic ("like this") means it's spoken in English.

Bold type + italic ("like this") means its spoken in Parseltongue.

Italic might also be used in flashbacks / or dreams but it will be made clear when it's dream or flashbacks...

Disclaimer: I don't own Harry Potter or Prince of Tennis!

...

...

Running.

Panting.

Splashing sounds as feet ran through the wet, cold floors in the large empty pipes. She was lost and she was breathing harshly. The breaths seemed so loud in her ears. Pant. Pant.

Swish, swish.

It was getting closer.

Closer…

She had to get away. It would find her. She…

"Bwa-ha-ha!"

Laughter echoed seemingly bouncing off the wet, dark walls.

Closer…

"It will get you, Potter!"

Closer…

She pressed herself against the cold wall praying to disappear.

Swish, swish, swish…

Cold yellow eyes glared at her….

Hari jerked awake all the way to a sitting position in her bed as her breathing came out in short pained breath and she felt her cheeks getting wet from both sweat and tears. Hari tried to inhaled and stop her speeding heart but the look of that being was like fixed into her brain and she couldn't breathe. She had to breathe…

Hari clutched the cover in her hands and the softness of the fabric actually served to calm her down a little, she stroked it as she realised that she wasn't there anymore. She was warm and she was safe. The fabric was soft and warm, not cold and wet like the concrete walls of the pipes. She managed to inhale deeply before letting it out in a relieved exhale.

A hand reached up and rubbed her eyes wiping away her tears against the back of her hand making her grimace at the disgusting feeling. She was relieved no one had entered her room during the nightmare because she honestly wasn't sure how she would have reacted, nor would she like that anyone saw her like this.

Forcing herself to get out of the warm and comfortable bed she stumbled slightly on her way to the bathroom. She cringed as she saw her too pale face with the seemingly too large green eyes staring back at her reflexion. Her eyes seemed puffy and red by the crying she had undoubtedly been doing in her sleep and her cheeks were filled with both wet and dried tear-tracks. Her few freckles seemed more prominent than they really were against her pale skin. Hari knew she was naturally pale, something she really hated, but her freckles were normally not that prominent.

She turned the sink on and cupped her hands to gather the water before she bowed down to let the water splash her face and she felt the coldness against her skin and shivered. It was an unpleasant reminder of her nightmare, but at the same time it woke her up a little more. Her hands moved to her hair that felt wet and disgusting from sweat.

She glanced at the clock and saw that it was nearly five in the morning. It really wasn't any point in trying to get any more sleep so she should just get ready for the day. With that thought, she undressed and jumped into the shower letting the warm water wash over her and bring the comfort that a warm shower could bring.

...

Hari walked back into the guest room she was sleeping in and closed the door behind her. She hesitated as she looked around the room, it was nice and better than the one she had with her aunt and uncle. For one, the furniture didn't look like it would break down at any moment. Nor was it filled with Dudley's broken toys.

She walked over to the window and pushed the curtains away as she looked out of the room, it was still dark out but she could see the small sign of light starting to show at the horizon. Her mind wasn't easily distracted anymore and she couldn't help but think back to the nightmare. She folded her arms around herself tightly as she repressed a shiver she told herself came from the cold ignoring that it really wasn't that cold in the room.

Why did she still have that nightmare? She didn't want to think about the incident that had almost killed her and her friends. She hated thinking about it, but her mind wouldn't let her forget it. Nearly every night did she have some part of a nightmare about it. While it varied in intensity it refused to let go.

She was letting him win by hanging on to it, Hari thought. She wasn't going to let him win… he was gone and he couldn't hurt her anymore. She knew that. But… what if… no, he was gone. She repeated it over and over to herself.

"He's gone, he's gone, he's gone…"

She couldn't stay still anymore, Hari had to get out. It was like the room was closing in on her and she felt trapped. She couldn't stay inside…she quickly changed into a pair of sweatpants and a little too large sweater both of them Ryoma's before she as quietly she could make her way out of the house.

The fresh air hit her and she felt a little better, her breathing came a little easier and she rolled her shoulders trying to relax. She started to jog down the street. It was something she had found out was helpful back at Hogwarts. To go out and run or jog as she processed the dream or when she was restless like she felt right now. It helped her and made her feel better.

It was Hermione who had suggested that she would go out and run for a bit after a nightmare if she couldn't shake it or get it to let go. She said it might help with some physical exercise and like normal she was right. Hari had stopped, well almost stopped, arguing with Hermione, realising that the other girl normally knew what she was talking about. Sometimes she went out and ran on her own but sometimes Ron or Hermione would come with her. They wouldn't force her to talk, but just be there.

Hari barely noticed that it was getting lighter out before she suddenly noticed that more people were starting to emerge on the streets. She glanced at the clock and saw that it was already seven thirty and she knew Ryoma would be up by now. She was unsure if they had noticed that she wasn't in her room anymore, but if they knew then they might be worried. She better go back.

Only…how did she get back? Hari frowned as she found herself at a crossroads and every house looked the same. Honestly, why did it have to look the same? What should she do now?

She walked around a little trying to find out what looked familiar, but she hadn't really paid any attention as she ran and now she wished she had. She might then have remembered something that was familiar to her.

"Eh? Potter-san?"

Hari glanced up tiredly having paused and was leaning against a wall when the voice interrupted her inner panic. She saw the dunk-kid, what was his name again…oh, Momoshiro, yeah, that was it. Anyway, Momoshiro was staring at her wide-eyed and he looked to have been out to run as well.

"Ah, Ryo-chan's friend," Hari said.

"Call me Momo-chan," he grinned easily, "but what are you doing here?"

Hari shrugged, "I went out for a run."

"Ok," Momoshiro frowned, "but…"

"I can't find the way back," Hari grumbled annoyed. "The streets here all look the same!"

Momoshiro looked way too amused to Hari's taste, but she guessed it was amusing for others but she just wanted to go back and rest. She felt tired now and hungry, surprisingly. Her energy was pretty low.

"I guess you would struggle when you're new here;" Momoshiro smiled. "Why don't you come inside for a moment and I'll show you the way back when I'm ready for school? I'm normally picking up Echizen on my way, so it wouldn't be any trouble."

Hari looked at him for a moment before she found that it really was the best solution, so she nodded and pushed away from the wall unable to hide the grimace that crossed her face.

"Are you alright, Potter-san?" Momoshiro asked.

"I'm fine," she said.

He looked a little unsure but nodded and let her dismiss the question like that. She was glad he didn't press it. She didn't feel like going into her problems with him or anyone, really.

"Ah, Takeshi," a woman said before stopping when she spotted Hari standing behind Momoshiro.

"This is a friend of Echizen," Momoshiro said when he saw where who Hari guessed to be his mother given the similarities was looking. "Potter Hari."

"Yoroshiku;" Hari bowed politely.

"Ah, nice to meet you too," the older woman said. "I'm Momoshiro Rio."

"She'll wait for me and I'll walk her back to Echizen's place," Momoshiro said.

Hari knew she was blushing as she once more explained that she was lost and the older woman smiled kindly at her and told her to come into the kitchen. Hari followed despite the uncomfortableness that had her really wanting to turn and flee. Momoshiro had run up the stairs to change leaving her alone with his mother.

Soon two younger kids entered the kitchen already dressed in their school uniforms and gave her curious looks. Momoshiro Rio introduced them as her two youngest children, Miku and Rin. Miku was a 7-year-old girl while Rin was a 9-year-old boy, both looking quite similar to their big brother, but didn't act as loud and boisterous as him.

"Here," Momoshiro Rio said and put a plate of food in front of Hari making her blink.

"Oh, um, thank you," Hari said shyly.

"You're welcome."

Hari watched as the family chatted and soon Momoshiro bounced into the kitchen again and quickly grabbed his food before plopping down on the free seat. He was talking to his younger siblings right away and had them laughing before Hari really understood why they did. She liked it, though. It was something about this family that reminded her of the Weasley's, only they weren't as many.

"Alright," Momoshiro said after gulping down his glass of milk. "Let's go."

Hari nodded and got to her feet. She turned toward Momoshiro Rio who was smiling at them.

"Thank you for the food," Hari bowed.

"It's no problem;" the woman smiled. "Come back anytime, Potter-san."

Hari smiled and wondered that she might just do that, but she wouldn't promise anything. She followed Momoshiro out and saw him grabbing the bike that was leaned against the house wall.

"Care to sit on the back?" Momoshiro asked looking at her.

Hari eyed it before she shrugged and nodded. She jumped on and held onto Momoshiro as he started to bike down the streets. She felt the wind against her face and the small thrill that came with the speed even though she wished he would go faster.

"Oy! Echizen!" Momoshiro called making Hari realised that they were back to where she was supposed to be.

She jumped off the bike and gave him a smile, "Arigatou, Momo-chan."

He grinned widely at her for some reason she couldn't understand but she just shrugged and turn toward the gate leading up to the house. She had barely opened the door when a slightly ruffled Ryoma exited.

"Hari!" He exclaimed when he saw her and she saw the many emotion that crossed his face. "You're back! Seriously, where did you go? Do you have any idea how worried I was? Gah, Hari!"

Hari grimaced guiltily, "I'm sorry, Ryo-chan."

He sighed and looked at her before he frowned, "what's wrong with you?"

"Nothing," Hari muttered.

He frowned at her again and well, Hari thought it looked more like a pout and he looked adorable like that, but she wisely didn't say anything. Hah, Hermione, look she does know when to keep her mouth shut, she thought.

"We'll talk later," he said, "I have to go to school. Oyaji and okaa-san are inside discussing where to start to look for you."

Hari almost wished she could go with Ryoma and Momoshiro (who was looking at them curiously), but she just nodded and waved at them. She sighed; this was not a good start on her day.

...

Hari sighed as she looked at the map, Rinko had told her to study it and that she had to learn how the neighbourhood looked if she was going to go out and run by herself. It wasn't like it was unreasonable of her to ask this, but Hari really didn't think it would help. The map was just as confusing as the actual roads.

"Hari-chan," a lazy teasing voice sounded and Hari looked up to see Nanjiro grinning down at her.

"Hai?" Hari looked at him.

"Come with me," he said and she gladly put the map away and got back to her feet to follow the older man out of the house and soon realised that they were headed for the shrine. She wondered why he had come back to the house to get her.

Rinko had left for work and Nanako had classes at her college so Hari had been on her own at the house, well besides Karupin. She smiled at how cute Ryoma's cat was, and she thought he was totally different from Crookshanks, who was not as friendly as Karupin.

"Here," Nanjiro interrupted her thoughts about Hermione's cat with pushing what Hari realised was a tennis racket into her hand. She blinked at it before looking back at the older man. "Let's play."

"I haven't really played much," Hari admitted.

"Ryoma said so," Nanjiro said, "but you'll pick it up again with practice. Furthermore…I'm bored and the brat is away at school so I don't have anyone else to play with."

Hari stare at him for a moment before she shrugged and walked over to the side of court she would use and saw the smirk on his face, she probably should be worried. He tossed the ball and served the ball toward her with a harsh and precise move causing the ball to fly past her without her having time to react. Yes…she definitely should be worried, but a smile was crossing her lips as she adjusted her grip on the racket and stared at Nanjiro.

"Just a wakeup call," he said. "What kind of handicap do you want?"

"None!" Hari said determinedly.

"Oh," Nanjiro smiled lazily. "Alright, if you are sure…"

Hari nodded knowing it was a bad choice, but she didn't feel right to play against him with a handicap. She wanted to test herself against him like Ryoma did.

Hari missed yet another ball and grumbled slightly as she pushed up from the dirt to glare determinedly at Nanjiro who looked entirely too relaxed on the other side of the net. She rolled her shoulder slightly as she got into position once more. She watched as he tossed the ball up and then hit it with his racket; she just managed to get her own racket up in time and felt the ball connect to the racket. She gritted her teeth when she felt it was harder than she thought, but she managed to hit the ball back.

Nanjiro hit the ball with ease and Hari ran to the other side to reach the ball before it went over the line, she reached it and managed to hit it back much to her surprise, but she did notice that Nanjiro didn't even move from his spot as he hit the ball again and this time she wasn't fast enough to hit it.

"One more time!" she said.

He smiled.

...

"You look like you've been run over," Ryoma's voice sounded making Hari open an eye to glare at him. She closed her eyes again and put an arm over her eyes and mumbled something.

"Sorry, I didn't catch that," Ryoma said.

"Your dad is trying to kill me," Hari muttered. "I'm sure of it."

Ryoma arched a brow, "oh?"

"Why didn't you say he was merciless when he plays tennis?" Hari whined.

She grimaced as she forced herself to sit up and felt the sore muscles and her arms felt like they would fall off.

"You already knew that" Ryoma pointed out sitting down at the free chair by her bed and she stuck out a tongue at him making him give her a look, "so mature, Hari."

"I thought so," Hari sniffed but her lips twitched. "You had fun at school?"

"Schools boring," Ryoma said, "but tennis practice was alright."

Hari snorted but nodded in understanding.

"So, what's wrong with you?" Ryoma asked bluntly.

Hari looked at him. "Why do you think something is wrong with me?"

"Hari," was all he said as he looked at her.

She rolled her shoulders and looked away from him. She didn't want to lie to him, but she wasn't sure she wanted to tell him either. She wasn't ready to talk to him about it because it meant that she would have to tell him about magic and what if he didn't react well?

"I'm not ready to talk about it, Ryo-chan," Hari said looking back at him to see the scowl on his face. "Please, just… give me some time."

He sighed but nodded. She smiled slightly and reached out to ruffle his hair making him lose his cap at the same time. He swatted her arm away with a glare and she couldn't help the laugh that escaped her as she saw his expression.

He did smile a little as he grabbed his cap once more from the floor and put it back on, she just smiled back at him and settled on the bed to talk more with her best friend. They had a lot to catch up on and in some way also get to know each other once more.

...

"Wow, look at you," Hari said when she saw Ryoma entering the house and wearing the white and blue jacket that signalled that he was part of the regulars. "Very handsome."

"Hari," he grumbled and Hari grinned as she saw him blush.

"You finally got your jacket," Hari said deciding to drop it right now as she took a closer look at her best friend wearing the regular jacket. It was something she knew meant more to him than he would admit and it did look very good at him. Perhaps a little big, but he would grow into it. "Congratulations."

"Thank you," Ryoma said smiling slightly.

"So, you've been a regular for a week now, right?" Hari said leaning against the table in the kitchen as he grabbed a glass of milk grumbling about Inui telling him to drink more milk.

"Shorty," Hari teased when she picked up on the grumble and laughed when he glared at her.

"You're not one to talk," Ryoma muttered.

"Perhaps," Hari smiled, "well? It's a week since you became a regular?"

"Yeah," Ryoma nodded.

"That means I've been here for nine or ten days already," Hari mused as she looked out of the window missing the way Ryoma looked at her. She sighed, "I wonder…"

She trailed off as she thought back to her friends at Hogwarts. Did they know she was gone now? Did they realise that she had left the Dursley's yet? She also thought it should be time for Hedwig to come soon; she was starting to get worried about her most faithful companion. It shouldn't take her that long to come to Japan, to find her. Had something happened to her? Hari really hoped not.

"It does seem longer than that," Ryoma commented effectively bringing her out of her mind once more. She looked back at him and smiled slightly, "I hope you'll stay."

Hari felt a warmth spread as he admitted to wanting her to stay. It had been good days for Hari, being here had her relaxed in a way she hadn't felt in what felt like years. Days spent around people who were genuinely interested in her and cared for her, while Ryoma was at school she would read in her magic books or play tennis with Nanjiro who was bored at the shrine. When Ryoma came back she would either watch him practice tennis or just talk with him, had him tell her about his tournaments in America before they moved back to Tokyo.

...

It was later that day that Rinko and Nanjiro once more asked her to join them in the office and this time Ryoma was home, but he didn't come with them. She pushed back the nerves as she followed them into the office and sat down once more.

"Don't look so scared, Hari-chan," Nanjiro teased. "We're not going to eat you."

He laughed and Hari smiled slightly before trying to relax.

"Hari-chan," Rinko started and leaned forward so she could look Hari in the eyes. "We've talked about it and I've done some research and given the situation and the recount of your life with your aunt and uncle we have looked into the option of adopting you."

Hari blinked and blinked as she stared at Rinko unable to form words as she opened and closed her mouth. They wanted to adopt her? Was that even possible?

"I know it's rather sudden and maybe also a little too fast," Rinko said, "but we do really want to have you in our family, Hari-chan. You've already settled into our daily routine and Ryoma is more open with you here."

"You…" Hari trailed off unsure and lost for words.

"I could use another tennis rival," Nanjiro added with a smirk.

"Dear," Rinko sighed exasperatedly.

"But…how…" Hari felt so confused and hopeful that she wasn't sure what to do with herself or who to look at. All she could think was that this had to be a dream. This couldn't be happening…

"I'm a lawyer, Hari-chan," Rinko reminded her kindly, "so I pulled some strings and I have the paperwork ready."

"So…" Hari blinked her hands fisted in her lap.

"If you agree then we would go ahead and put the paperwork forward and start the process of adopting you," Rinko said.

Hari felt her mind spinning as she looked between the Echizen's and tried to process the idea of being adopted by Ryoma's parents. That would mean that they would have a legal right to her and it would protect her against the Wizards should they find her, that had been something she had worried about.

"Would it be that easy?" Hari had to ask even as she feared the answer. Nothing in her life was that easy.

"Most likely," Rinko said. "I will go to England and meet your aunt and uncle, Hari-chan. If they sign the papers giving up their rights to you, then the adoption will go through without much resistance."

Hari felt a spark of hope, a stronger spark than before. Surely they would love to get rid of her and sign, right?

"If…if not...?" Hari asked.

Rinko got more serious and Hari saw her exchange a look with her husband who had been surprisingly silent as they had talked.

"Hari-chan," Rinko said, "I won't lie to you. If they refuse to sign the papers it will be more difficult. There are still options, but we will need you to tell us more about the treatment you received from them and put it in a lawsuit. You might also be required to testify against them in a court of law."

Hari swallowed and felt cold just at the thought of having to do that, she didn't want to. She didn't want everyone to know… She couldn't handle it.

"We'll deal with it if it happens, Hari-chan," Rinko said smiling at her reassuringly, "I will do my best to get them to sign the papers so it won't be necessary."

Hari nodded.

"So," Rinko suddenly looked a little nervous. "Do you want us to adopt you, Hari-chan?"

Hari stared at them unable to say anything as she did. It was so hard because of all the emotions going through her body as she realised that her dream, the thing she had always hoped for as she had been locked up in that cupboard was finally within reach. But…was it real? Did they really want her to join their family?

She had hoped they would let her stay when she got there, she had hoped that they wouldn't tell her to go back to England. Not in her wildest dreams or imaginations had she dared to even think about the possibility of them actually wanting to adopt her. Adoption was final, it was not something anyone would do easily or could change their mind about.

"You really want me?" she whispered unable to keep the burning question inside.

"Of course," Rinko smiled at her tears in her eyes. "You're a very special girl, Hari-chan."

Nanjiro nodded and smiled widely at her but didn't' say anything.

"And Ryo-chan…" Hari was scared he didn't want this, scared he would resent her for sharing his parents with her.

"He wants this too, Hari-chan," Nanjiro said. "We have already talked to him about it."

Hari stared at them for a long moment before she nodded her head slowly unable to keep the tear from dropping from her eyes.

"I want you to adopt me," Hari said.

...

Hari smiled softly to herself as she left the office unable to really believe what had just happened. Was it really true? They wanted to adopt her, the little-unwanted girl beneath the stairs. It was surreal and Hari couldn't wrap her mind around it, but she would do her best. She was going to do her best to be a good…what would she be to them? Daughter? Charge? Well, whatever she would be, she would be the best.

She went to find Ryoma, she had to see him. She had to tell him and see if he really was okay with it. If he wasn't okay with it, then she wouldn't do it. She entered his room to find him reading a book with Karupin curled up on the bed next to him.

"Ryo-chan," Hari called his attention her voice slightly uneven and he glanced up from his book. He immediately put it down and got to his feet. She didn't say anything as her words seemed to have disappeared again.

"Well?" he asked impatiently. "Did they ask you already or not?"

Hari snorted pulled out of her insecurities as he looked at her hopefully.

"They did," she nodded and smiled.

"Great! So, you're going to accept, right?" Ryoma asked, "because that would be the best choice! You're one of us already so, of course, you're going to become an Echizen!"

Hari laughed feeling relieved and rather stupid to have doubted how Ryoma would react.

"Of course," Hari grinned, "besides, you'll be my little brother for real then."

He blinked and then pouted, "Why do you have to be the oldest?"

Hari grabbed him in a headlock and ruffled his hair with her free hand even as he fought her hold, she felt so much better as she suddenly found herself wrestling with Ryoma. He somehow managed to make her lose her balance and fall down at the floor pulling him with her and they fell tangled together on the floor both of them laughing.

"You really sure you don't have a problem with your parents adopting me, Ryo-chan?" Hari asked when they calmed down and she sitting up on the floor.

"Baka," he said. "Of course I want that."

Hari smiled and before she could think about it anymore she hugged him, she didn't care that it meant that they fell back on the floor with Hari on top of Ryoma who hugged her back even as he grunted at the force she hit him with. She couldn't help the laugh that escaped her, even if it sounded suspiciously very much like a sob.

...

"So, you'll start Seigaku with Ryoma," Nanjiro said the next day and seeing that it was a Saturday Ryoma was standing beside her. "If there's not another school you rather want to go to, of course."

"No, I want to go to Seigaku," Hari said quickly. She couldn't even think about attending another school than the one Ryoma went to. She had come here to be closer to him after all. She glanced over at Ryoma who smiled but didn't say anything.

"That's great, because I have already talked to the school and registered you as one of their students," Nanjiro said without a trace of shame.

"Oyaji," Ryoma sighed.

"Brat," Nanjiro gave his son a look before looking back at Hari. "You start on Monday."

Hari inhaled deeply before she nodded trying to gather her thoughts and feelings about this, it was happening so fast. It felt almost unreal and unbelievable as she realised that she had already been registered for school. Oh, how was she supposed to be handling Muggle School? She was suddenly very happy she had joined Hermione in some of her individual studies for her muggle school back at Hogwarts. Hermione had said she didn't want to lose touch with the muggle world completely, and Hari had decided to join her. So, hopefully, that would be enough so that she had something to build on. Otherwise, she had no idea what to do.

Hari watched the school as Monday arrived and she sighed softly as she realised that this was really happening. She was starting Seigaku and Ryoma was just a few steps ahead of her with Momoshiro who had looked confused than happy when he realised that she was going to start school with them. He hadn't stopped chatting the whole way there and Hari kind of wished he would shut up so she could think, but on another note, the chatting was a welcomed distraction from her overly imaginary mind.

"Hari, come on," Ryoma called out impatiently and she took a deep breath before she walked up to her friend ready to start a new school. She could hope that this would be different from Hogwarts, right? Right. Of course, it would be. She was with Ryoma. Everything would be fine.

...

...

AN: About the adoption: I have no clue about how the legal aspects works or anything like that. So, this is just how I want it to go because it's a fanfiction and not real life. So, I make the decisions to make it easier for me as a writer. I'm sure that in real life it would be much more complicated and harder to do, but...this is the beauty of fiction. I can make decisions that fit my story. :)

Japenese words used:
Yoroshiku - Nice to meet you
Arigatou - Thank you
Oyaji - Old man/ dad
Okaa-san - Mum
Hai - yes
Baka - stupid/ fool