"Parseltongue"
"English"
-flashback or letter-
Disclaimer: I don't own Harry Potter or Prince of Tennis!
...
Hari followed behind the teacher that had introduced himself as Kawaguchi Kaede and would be her homeroom teacher. Hari guessed that meant that he was like McGonagall for her here, but he didn't look as strict as her. He was also considerably younger and looked to be just into his thirties.
"Wait here for a moment," he smiled at her making Hari nod as she paused just outside the door to the classroom for class 2-8. She could hear the chatter from inside the room die down as Kawaguchi cleared his throat to get their attention.
It was always scary to meet new people and she hoped that they would be nice, it sounded childish in her mind, but that was what she hoped for. Nice. She wasn't going to let them intimidate her, she told herself. She was going to get a fresh start and actually meet new people, Ryoma was somewhere in the building and she knew she could find him later. She wasn't alone even if she was in a different class.
Suddenly she was aware that the door opened and she saw Kawaguchi arch a brow at her and she realised she had spaced out and probably missed him calling for her.
"You ready?" he asked.
"Yes, sensei," Hari nodded and took a step into the classroom.
Hari looked at the class and saw that it was a mix of boys and girls and they were all looking at her curiously as she followed the teacher to the front.
"This is your new classmate, Echizen Hari," Kawaguchi introduced. "Echizen-san, why don't you tell the class something about yourself?"
Hari wondered if it was possible to get away with pranking the teacher as she inwardly winced at the request. She really didn't want to talk in front of that many people. She sighed before she bowed politely to the class.
"Hello, I'm Echizen Hari," she said calmly, "I'm 13 years old and just moved here from England. I'm not really that interesting, so… well, nice to meet you."
Hari looked up and saw Momoshiro grin at her but a confused look on his face as he looked at her had her realise that he did know her other last name and probably was confused to why she suddenly was called Echizen. She gave him a look and he nodded reading her 'I'll explain later' correctly.
She then noticed the other familiar person in the room and realised that Kaido was in this class as well, he looked like he was angry as he stared at her and she briefly wondered if she had offended him in some way before pushing the thought away.
"Well, Echizen-san," Kawaguchi said, "please take a seat next to Momoshiro-san."
Hari nodded before the teacher could ask Momoshiro to show who he was making some of the others to start to whisper as they looked at her.
"Echizen-san," Momoshiro grinned, "I think I have your name wrong."
Hari smiled back at him as she sat down in the free seat. "It changed."
Hari saw the considering look before she looked back at the teacher who called for attention again and started the lesson in literature.
...
Hari yawned and stretched as the day was over and she had gotten through the classes and survived. It felt good, but she really did need something to help her catch up to the curriculum because it was not anything she had been through before. It wasn't anything similar to what she had been taught at Hogwarts, and well, even if she had been attending a muggle school in England she would struggle because they were sure to have different classes. Hari sighed softly at the thought, but she was sure she would manage. Somehow. She always did.
"So, Echizen-san," Momoshiro said making her glance over at him to see the curious look on his face, she also noticed that Kaido had turned his attention toward her. She had managed to postpone their probing at the new name during the breaks and she knew that it was not likely to be able to avoid it anymore. It didn't mean she wouldn't…tease them, though. "What's with the name change?"
She shrugged and grabbed her bag before getting up.
"What are you talking about?" Hari smirked at him. "Name-change? I don't know what you mean."
He scowled and Hari turned to walk out of the classroom to find Ryoma and perhaps watch him as he practised tennis.
"Hey!" Hari yelped when she suddenly found her arm grabbed and then pulled at making her stumbled as she was forced to follow Momoshiro through the corridors.
"Rainbows and flowers is a great combination," Hari heard and almost lost her footing as she turned wide eyes to her left to see Kaido following with a scowl. Her mouth opened and closed as she again wondered what was wrong with him. Why did he go and say so…so random things? Rainbows and flowers? Seriously?
"Eh? Momo?"
"Wait, isn't that…"
Hari noticed some of Ryoma's friends from the tennis club, Kikumaru and Fuji she thought, as she was being dragged through the halls to wherever Momoshiro had decided to take her. She grumbled slightly but didn't try to break free from the hold on her arm as the two also joined them on their way to…wherever.
"Saa," Fuji said after a moment, "why are you pulling Potter-san after you like that?"
Momoshiro didn't answer as he stalked down the stairs making Hari yelp as she almost stumbled and lost her balance. She would have if not for Fuji who reached out to steady her. He smiled pleasantly with his eyes closed when she looked at him.
"Oi, Echizen!"
Hari heard a loud voice yell and glance over to see one of the first year boys with the unibrow point at her but look at who she realised was Ryoma over his shoulder. Ryoma who blinked and then had the nerve to look amused.
She also realised that they were on the tennis court and the rest of the regulars and most of the club was already there including an older woman in a pink training suit.
"Hari," Ryoma said looking at her then looking at Momoshiro who finally let go of her.
Hari scowled at him before she rushed over to Ryoma and placed him between herself and Momoshiro.
"Your teammate is scary, Ryo-chan," Hari whined dramatically, "he kidnapped me."
"I didn't kidnap you!" Momoshiro protested.
"You did," Kaido said.
"Eh, what did you say, mamushi?" Momoshiro growled turning to face Kaido who was already ready for a fight.
Ryoma glanced at Hari over his shoulder and arched a brow at her, "I thought you were supposed to be the older one?"
Hari stuck her tongue out at him but stepped out from behind him, "doesn't mean you shouldn't protect me against kidnapping peaches."
Ryoma snorted.
"Why did you drag Potter-san here, Momo?" Oishi asked with a worried frown.
Momoshiro and Kaido stopped arguing and turned toward them.
"And why is Potter-san wearing our school uniform, nya?" Kikumaru asked his head tilted to the side curiously.
Ryoma looked at Hari who just smiled innocently.
"Echizen-san," Momoshiro stressed the name, "started in our class today."
Hari almost laughed at the way the others blinked and turned to look at her eyes round and unbelieving as they did. She pushed away the unsettled feelings she got at being the centre of attention.
"Eh?"
"Echizen?!"
Hari heard Ryoma sigh and glanced at him to see the tired look on his face. She reached out to pinch his cheek. "Don't look like that, Ryo-chan! You'd think it was a bad thing."
He reached up and swatted her arm away before rubbing his cheek while glaring at her.
"I told you," Hari said looking over at Momoshiro, "it changed."
She paused.
"Or, it will change," she corrected, "so, to make it easier I just told the teacher to call me that."
"I'm confused," Kikumaru sighed with a pout.
"You're not the only one," Inui said while scribbling in his notebook. "As far as I know Echizen doesn't have a sister and there's nothing that indicates a cousin that's from England. He also clearly introduced her as his friend Potter Hari from Surrey, England."
Hari blinked at him.
"Do you make note of everything?" she asked curiously.
"Saa," Fuji spoke up still smiling and looked like this was an everyday occurrence. "Why don't you tell us what's going on, Potter-san?"
Hari scowled at him, "didn't I just say my name will change. I'm going to be Echizen Hari."
"But not yet," Fuji said.
Hari looked away from him and her eyes landed on the older woman who had been silent until now but she saw the calculating look in her eyes.
"Hari is getting adopted by my parents," Ryoma decided to explain and Hari felt a spark of warmth in her chest just hearing the words. "And that's why she's started Seigaku today as well."
"Really," Kawamura said his voice kind and Hari looked over at him to see him smiling at her looking sincerely interested.
"Hai," Hari nodded but didn't elaborate. She didn't feel like going into the details and she wasn't one to spill her secrets and home life to strangers. "So, Ryo-chan is my little brother now!"
"I'm not!" Ryoma protested.
"I'm the oldest, so you're my little brother," Hari grinned.
"That doesn't matter!" Ryoma pouted, um, glared. "I'm more mature."
"Shorty," Hari shot back, "I'm the oldest."
"I've never seen Ryoma-kun like that," Kachiro Kato commented to the other two first years. Hari could hear them, but she decided against saying anything about it.
"Huh," the woman said before smiling at her. "I'm Ryuzaki Sumire, the coach of Seigaku tennis club."
"Echizen Hari," Hari bowed, "nice to meet you."
"Nanjiro really adopted a kid," Ryuzaki said a little stunned. "Who would have guessed?"
Hari shrugged. She knew Nanjiro wasn't really the kind you would guess to adopt anyone, but he was a dedicated father whatever anyone else said. Hari knew he had given up on his first dream and was now focusing on his new dream that was Ryoma. Even if Ryoma tried to deny it.
"Why change the name?" Horio asked.
Hari glanced over at him before she shrugged carelessly as her mind went back to the day they talked about the adoption and the name had been brought up.
...
-Flashback-
"What do you want to do about your name, Hari?" Rinko asked.
"My name?" Hari's brows furrowed confused.
"Do you want to keep Potter or do you want to change it to Echizen?" Rinko clarified. "You can legally change your name when you're adopted. We will understand if you wish to keep Potter, but you're welcome to change it to Echizen as well."
Hari blinked and looked at Rinko before looking over at Nanjiro who was grinning at her.
"I…" Hari frowned slightly. Did she want to change her name? Potter was her parents' name and it was a connection to them. Should she keep it as a sign of respect to them? They did die to save her, and Hari would always respect their sacrifice and look up to them for that. Though, changing her name didn't really mean she wouldn't feel the same for her parents because of it.
Changing her name would give her a fresh start and she would be seen as one of them, she wanted that. She wanted to be part of that family and that meant sharing the name, right? Would her parents resent her for wanting to change her name? Would they understand?
"I want to change my name," Hari said determinedly and looked up to meet their eyes.
-End flashback-
...
Hari knew she had made the right decision. She had thought about it a lot since then and she also realised something she hadn't thought about when she had made the decision. She would gain more protection against the wizarding world. They would be looking for a Potter, not an Echizen.
"Why not," Hari said.
She walked to the side and stood outside the fence when Ryuzaki called for the practice to start again. She met Ryoma's eyes and shook her eyes when she saw the question in them, she wouldn't join them. Not right away because she wasn't ready yet.
Watching them practice was really an eye opener for Hari. They really gave their all and she felt determined as she saw the skills in each of the regulars. It was clear that they were very good and she wanted to get to their level. The feeling of excitement and determination filled her as she watched Fuji calmly return a ball against one of the non-regulars making him gape.
...
Hari walked away from the practice and made her way to the place where she had gone with Ryoma to play tennis before. She wanted to play, she wanted to hold a racket and feel the ball bounce off it. She was slightly surprised when she actually found the place only getting lost once.
She rented a court and a racket before walking to the assigned place and opened the door and stepping into the court. She remembered Ryoma showing her how the machine worked and put the coins into the slot before taking her place.
The first ball came and she swung her racket hitting the ball and watched as it bounced off the wall. She continued and did it over and over and over and over again.
Her shirt was getting wet with sweat and she wiped her brow with the back of her hand as she breathed hard, but she still kept hitting the balls that came flying at her.
Finally, the machine stopped and she sat down on the court feeling her breath coming out quickly and stared at the many balls surrounding her on the court. She blinked because it was much more than she thought and she groaned at the thought of having to put the balls back.
She got up and started to gather the balls as she thought about the changes in her life, and she really hadn't predicted that her life would change this much by leaving to see Ryoma. She knew that Rinko probably would meet eagerness from the Dursley's at the prospect of getting rid of her for good, and in some way, Hari did feel bad about that. Petunia was her mum's sister and it hurt to know that she didn't want anything to do with Hari, Lily's daughter, though, for the most part, Hari felt relieved just thinking about the chance to be free from them and actually have a chance of a new family.
...
Hari watched Ryoma play with Nanjiro at the same time she was reading the book she had been told to read by Kawaguchi-sensei. Yet, her attention was often drawn from the book to Ryoma's struggle against his father who didn't even look to be affected by the match.
"Where did you go today, Hari?" Ryoma asked bringing Hari's attention back from the book.
"Hm?" Hari blinked.
"You disappeared from watching us practice," Ryoma said and Hari realised he had stopped playing and both he and Nanjiro was looking at her now.
"Oh," Hari said. "Well, I just took a walk."
"A walk," Ryoma looked as disbelieving as he sounded.
"Yes, you know, putting a foot in front of the other," Hari said with a smirk, "that kind of walk."
Nanjiro laughed and ruffled Ryoma's hair before doing the same to Hari who grumbled.
"I know you didn't just go for a walk," Ryoma gave her a look as he dodged Nanjiro's arm. "So, where did you go?"
"I went to practice tennis," Hari sighed knowing better than to lie to him. "I went to that practice court we went to last time."
"Oh," Ryoma said. "You could have joined us at school."
"I'm not part of the Tennis Club," Hari shrugged.
"Then join," Ryoma said.
"I will, but not yet," Hari said and smiled at him when he frowned. "I just want to get better first and get used to being here before I join anything."
"Ok," Ryoma sighed.
...
"Good job, Ryo-chan," Hari smiled and tipped his cap down into his eyes.
"Hari," he whined and she grinned.
Hari had watched the regulars' practice again feeling the intensity in their play and realised that she had a lot to work on to get to that point where she was ready to join the Tennis Club, even if it was the girls she would have to join. She hadn't really watched them play because she liked watching Ryoma much better, but she was sure they were good as well.
"Ah, Echizen," both Hari and Ryoma turned toward the speaker who turned out to be Momoshiro.
He blinked before laughing.
"I think we need to do something about that," he said and the others behind him nodded.
"Call me Hari," Hari said with a shrug, "I'm used to being called by my first name."
"Saa, Hari-chan," Fuji smiled. "You're back watching Echizen play tennis?"
"Yup," Hari nodded, "I always liked watching Ryo-chan play tennis."
"She did," Ryoma nodded.
Just then Hari caught sight of something white coming flying toward her and before she could really blink she was being bombarded by a white owl. She stumbled back slightly as she ducked and turned to look for the snow-owl that came back toward her.
"Oy! Watch out!"
"Is that an owl, nya?"
"Saa…"
Hari held out her arm and smiled when Hedwig landed on her shoulder making Hari lower her arm as she felt the talons dig into her shoulder perhaps a little harder than normal. She then started to nibble at Hari's loose strands of hair and make soft cooing sounds.
"Are you seeing what I'm seeing?" Hari heard Momoshiro ask.
"Burning! An owl!" Kawamura suddenly yelled startling both Hari and Hedwig (who gave a startled cry) making Hari wince as it was directly into her ear, and look over at the third year. Ah, he had a tennis racket in his hand (who had given him that?) and that explained the yelling. Hari did find it fascinating to watch how he changes personality by holding a racket.
"Nya, nya!" Kikumaru jumped up and down, "I've never seen an owl up close before, nya! So, cool!"
Hari saw that Fuji's eyes were actually opened revealing beautiful blue eyes as he stared at Hedwig. Wait, why did she think beautiful…quickly she pushed the thought away and assured herself that it was just shock of actually seeing a response from the boy that had her think that.
Even Tezuka blinked a few times as he watched rather stoically from his spot beside Oishi who looked fascinated and like he wanted to start fussing over something, but Hari wasn't sure what.
Kaido looked like his scowling self, but Hari could see a spark of interest in his eyes as he stared at Hedwig.
"Ah," Hari smiled reaching up to stroke her white feathers. "This is Hedwig."
"Hedwig?" Momoshiro repeated. "It's yours?"
Hari frowned at him as Hedwig gave an offended squeal, "Hedwig is a girl, just so you know, and yeah, she's mine. She was a present from a friend when I turned 11. She's been with me ever since."
Ryoma hadn't said anything and Hari glanced at him to see him blink and stare at Hedwig who turned back to stare at him with her yellow eyes.
"Saa, why are Echizen looking like he never seen her before?" Fuji asked.
"Because I haven't;" Ryoma said without taking his eyes off Hedwig.
"No, when I left Surrey I told her to come to find me in Tokyo," Hari explained. "So, she's been making her own way here."
Hari noticed the letter tied to her leg and reached out to take it, she ignored the looks she got and smiled at Hedwig as she took the letter from her.
"I will get you a snack soon," Hari promised her friend.
"You mean she just found you…on her own," Kikumaru asked.
"Yes," Hari looked at him briefly, "she's good like that."
"Good data," Inui was muttering making Hari wonder what he possibly could need this data for, but she let it go.
"And…is that a letter?" Kawamura asked carefully and she noticed that he hadn't the racket anymore.
"It is," Hari nodded, "she's good at carrying letters."
"Strange…" Momoshiro and Kikumaru both blinked at the same time.
Hari shrugged knowing it was strange for muggles, but she wasn't going to say anything more about it. She couldn't really say anything else, so she just had to let them think it was strange.
"Can I pet her?" Kikumaru bounced over barely looking like he managed to contain himself from reaching out to touch her.
Hari glanced at Hedwig who was now looking at Kikumaru with her sharp yellow eyes. Hari nodded and Kikumaru reached out and laughed delightfully when he touched the white feathers.
"So soft, nya," he exclaimed. "You're beautiful, Fukuro-chan."
Hedwig preened making Hari chuckle.
...
To say that Nanjiro was surprised when he saw Hedwig for the first time was not an understatement, Hari wasn't sure he would find his voice again at all the amount of times he opened and closed it. Nanako had blinked then smiled cooing over how pretty Hedwig was making Hedwig preen proudly.
Hari was a little nervous about the reaction to Nanjiro because she didn't know what to do if he said she couldn't keep her. Hari couldn't lose Hedwig, and she would hate to have to decide against the adoption because of this. Luckily Nanjiro had said it was okay for her to keep Hedwig as long as she was the one to take care of her (like anything else had been an option).
Though, there was another issue that came back at her for full seeing Hedwig resting on her perch in her room later that night. Magic. More precisely her magic. She would need to tell them about her magic if they were really going to adopt her.
"What should I do, Hedwig?" Hari mumbled making Hedwig open one eye to look at her. Hari couldn't help the smile as she felt better just being able to talk to Hedwig again. "How can I tell them? What if they react like aunt Petunia and uncle Vernon?"
It was a deep worry she felt as she sat on the bed. Hedwig cooed and Hari looked up to see Hedwig flap her wing toward the desk and she looked to see the letter Hedwig had brought with her. She had forgotten about that.
Opening the letter she saw unfamiliar scribbles and her hope that it was from Ron or Hermione fell away. She glanced at the bottom of the page and blinked. Sirius. It was from Sirius.
"You saw Sirius, Hedwig?" Hari murmured.
Settling back on the bed she read the letter.
...
-Letter-
Hi Hari,
I'm sorry we didn't get to spend more time together before I had to flee, Hari. I would have loved the chance to get to know you again. I loved seeing you and just get to talk to you once. I often told myself that I would accept anything if I could just talk to you, just hold you once. But, who could know that just talking to you once I want to talk to you even more? I wish… Okay, it's probably not good to dwell on wishes and dreams. That's something Dumbledore would say at least. Who knows, perhaps he's wrong this time?
I got a hold of a paper and saw…I have no words, Hari. I am so sorry for the trouble you're in and I wished I could do something about it. I almost turned myself in to get your name cleared, but then I realised that it wouldn't have done anything good. They wouldn't believe me. You must hate me now, I'm sure. I keep failing you as your godfather, Hari. I can only hope that you will find your happiness somewhere out there one day and that I might get a chance to see you once more. One day I would really like to tell you about your dad and mum, Hari. Tell you about the best friends I ever had.
Remus is alright, I know you're probably worried about the old wolf. He is back at the cottage and resting after the full moon. He's sorry about what has transpired as well, Hari. He tried talking to Dumbledore and even Fudge, but they wouldn't listen. Or Fudge wouldn't. Dumbledore believes you, but his hands are tied. He can't do anything about it.
I have gotten out of Britain now and am…safe. I will travel and see the world, but I wish I could be with you in England. I wish I could offer you the home like we talked about. I wished I could be there for you like I should. Like I owe James.
I know James and Lily would be so proud of you, Hari. I know I told you when I saw you but you really do look a lot like them and have so much of them inside of you. Remember that those who really love you never really leave. They're right there, Hari, inside of your heart.
I have to go. I take it this owl is yours; I've seen her with you before when I watched you (as Padfoot) on the grounds of Hogwarts with your two friends, Ron and Hermione. Tell them hi from me, ok? They're good friends to have, Hari.
Love,
Sirius.
-End letter-
...
Hari wasn't sure what she felt having read the letter. While he did sound concerned and she was sure he did care about her at least in some way, but…she couldn't shake the feeling that he really only saw James in her. Though, could she blame him? He had spent 12 years in Azkaban and Remus had said that the place was horrible and those Dementors… She shuddered just thinking about the Dementors and the memories they brought with them.
"Not Hari, not Hari… show mercy…" the echo rang in her ears and she gritted her teeth as she tried to force it out. She got to her feet and slammed her hand against her desk wincing as the pain registered.
"Hari!" Ryoma knocked on the door before opening it. "What's going on?!"
Hari blinked looking at him before his question registered in her mind and she looked down at her hand.
"I just knocked it against the desk," Hari said as calmly as she could. "It's nothing, Ryo-chan."
He frowned at her but much to her relief he didn't ask anything more even if he knew she wasn't telling the truth. She just wasn't ready to talk about it, at least not yet.
"Meow," Karupin entered the room looking at them before his blue eyes landed on Hedwig.
Hari glanced at Hedwig who was staring down at Karupin without blinking who was giving Hedwig the same look. Hedwig puffed out her chest and screeched slightly.
"Meow-ow," Karupin tilted his head.
Hedwig settled and gave what could only be described as a royal nod before turning back to her slumber.
"I guess that's that," Hari blinked.
"Huh," Ryoma agreed.
Hari shook her head at the strangeness of Hedwig; you really would think she was some sort of queen. But Hari loved her anyway.
...
"Rinko is coming back tomorrow," Nanjiro said one morning and Hari looked up from her breakfast to look at Nanjiro. He was reading but glanced over at her with a kind smile when he saw the look on her face. "She'll have the paperwork then, Hari-chan."
Hari smiled before looking down at her plate feeling her heart beat harder in her chest. She would have to tell them before they signed any papers, she told herself. She had to. Nothing good would come of hiding it and she really should have told them before Rinko left for England, but… she had backed out and she hated feeling like a coward. She was a Gryffindor and it was time she acted like one.
A hand went up to her forehead where her scar was. Perhaps they wouldn't care about her scar or her magic? Perhaps… she felt hope.
...
AN: What do you think?
I have now caught up with the chapters posted at AO3, meaning that it will be longer between updates, unfortunately. I will try to have a new chapter ready as fast as I can.
To those of you who left a review: thank you so much for taking the time to leave a review! It means a lot and helps to keep me motivated. I have left a PM to those of you who have an account and open for PM. I will take your votes into consideration when I make my decision on the pairing. :)
Still, time to let me know what pairing you vote for! Fuji, Sanada or Yukimura? :)
Thank you for reading!
Japanese words used:
Sensei - teacher
Saa - filler
Mamushi - viper
Hai - yes
Fukuro - owl
