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

...

"Parseltongue"

...

...

Hari walked up to her room after saying goodbye to her friends with mixed feelings. She was happy because this was the best birthday she'd ever had by far and she'd had fun with her friends and family. Yet, she was also sad because her friends would leave and she wasn't sure when she would see them again. She was going to miss them.

She remembered the apprehension she had felt when they first arrived and knew that they had been through some rough changes in their relationship. It used to be Hogwarts that bound them together, but the school wouldn't be their connection any longer. Hari couldn't help but think that their relationship was stronger for it because now they would be connected because they chose it and their friendship had survived the change.

Hari sighed as she pushed the door to her room open and stepped inside and stilled when she saw the small pile of presents on the bed. She blinked. She remembered Seiichi saying that he had sent something over for her but that couldn't be all of this…

"Aren't you going to open them?" Nanjiro asked from behind her and she turned to see her family standing there. They smiled at her.

"You…they're really for me?" Hari asked.

"Of course they are," Ryoma huffed. "Who else would they be for?"

"Shut up," Hari laughed.

"Come on," Ryoga smiled. "I'm curious."

Hari walked over to the bed and sat down in the middle of it before pulling the first present over to her. She was aware that her family sat down around the room as well and Hedwig hooted from her perch.

She read the note on the present she had picked and saw that it was from Nanjiro and Rinko. She swallowed before she slowly started to open it. She didn't want to rush it but drag out the feeling of opening her presents from her family for the first time.

"Thank you!" She said when she held up the sweater and noticed the owl on it. She laughed. It was perfect!

"I thought you would like that," Rinko smiled.

"I love it!" Hari grinned.

She opened two more gifts from Rinko and Nanjiro and smiled at the new tennis gear and equipment. She could tell that Nanjiro had been the one picking these gifts.

"Open mine now!" Ryoma said pushing one over to her.

Hari nodded and started to open it and almost laughed when she saw that it was a book about tennis and how to improve. That was so Ryoma… She smiled and hugged him making him blush slightly. Ryoga gave her a few movies that he had talked about but she hadn't seen.

"Thank you," Hari smiled at them after hugging them (again). She had trouble putting words on how she felt. It seemed impossible to describe the way her heart swelled and how she felt accepted and a part of their family. It wasn't just that they had given her presents. She didn't need that, but it was the overall experience with the party they'd had on the beach and how they had been there and a part of it, and then this. She had never had anything like that before. At least not since she was a baby and she (obviously) didn't remember that.

"You're welcome, Hari-chan," Rinko said smiling warmly and seemed to understand what was going through Hari's head. "You're family, and we love you. We are happy you were born."

We are happy you were born.

Hari knew there were tears in her eyes as she bit her lip and looked down not able to meet their eyes and not able to say anything in fear of starting to cry. No one had said that to her before…

"You have a present left," Ryoma said making Hari look over at the last present and she knew it was from Seiichi. She also knew that Ryoma had purposely pointed it out in order to lighten the mood and give her something to focus on.

Hari pushed back the overwhelming emotions the best she could before reaching out and pulled the last present over. She couldn't help but wonder about what Seiichi could have given her. She pulled off the paper and blinked when she saw the box inside. It was just a regular brown box and it said nothing about what was inside of it.

"A box?" Nanjiro asked looking sceptical and not that impressed. "Would have thought the boy could do better than that…"

"Stop it, Otou-chan," Hari sighed. "I haven't opened the box yet…"

"Calm down, dear," Rinko told her husband with a shake of her head while Ryoma and Ryoga snorted amused.

Hari lifted the lid and blinked a couple of times because inside she found da lot of puzzle pieces. She picked one up but it wasn't possible to guess what the motif could possibly be by just looking at one piece and found that even if she tried to look at more she couldn't guess what the motif of the puzzle was.

"A puzzle?" Ryoma arched a brow. "Hn, I guess that's pretty cool. What is it of?"

"Don't know," Hari said turning the box around and could not see a picture of anything at all to give her the answer.

"There's a note," Ryoga pointed out picking up a small card that had fallen off the bed and handed it to her.

...

Dear Hari-chan!

I know you might be confused about my gift. I promise you that I have a reason for why I gave this to you. Take your time in putting it together and have fun. I will wait until you're done before I mention the message of this puzzle. It is designed by me and I really hope you like it.

Again, happy birthday, Hari!

Yukimura Seiichi.

...

"He designed it," Hari said with a smile. "I wonder what it is of…"

"How many pieces is it?" Ryoma asked curiously.

"Don't know," Hari shrugged getting off her bed and walked around the bed and to where she had more room on her bedroom floor. She wanted to start it and see if she could get a peek of what the design was. She felt really curious.

"You're starting it now?" Nanjiro asked and Hari nodded.

Rinko smiled and pulled Nanjiro from the room leaving Ryoma and Ryoga with her and they sat down to watch her as she emptied the box onto the floor and started to try to get a look at the pieces and organize them.

"Do you like puzzles?" Ryoga asked after a while.

Hari shrugged without looking up. "Never really tried before, but I think it looks fun."

"He is creative with ideas for gifts," Ryoma commented. "Do you like it?"

"Yes," Hari nodded, "I do. I wonder what he has designed…"

"I wonder what he wants to say…" Ryoga said.

Hari nodded and frowned as she realised that this would take a while. She really wanted to know what he was trying to say through the puzzle.

...

Hari felt tired when she met the others the next day. She had stayed up too late with the puzzle before she remembered that she had to go to sleep because of the match. She yawned as she listened to the others talk about the match and wondered what the puzzle could possibly be off. So far it was only colour and not any shapes visible from the small part she had gotten done. In other words; nothing to reveal the image.

"Before the match be sure to warm up!" Oishi said.

"Hai!" Hari and the others said and she shook herself in order to focus on what was happening now and not the unsolved puzzle back home.

She started to jog along with Ryoma and saw the others spread out around the court as she jogged with her brother. She knew she had to get her mind onto the game because she was going to be playing in the first double match with Kawamura. She had not played with him very often so she was a little nervous about how well they would match each other, but Ryuzaki had said that she wanted to power from Kawamura with the flexibility from her.

"You ready?" Ryoma asked glancing at her with a knowing look.

"Yes," Hari nodded. "I'm ready."

"Good," Ryoma said. "You'll do fine. You just have to remain focused and do your best."

Hari nodded.

"I wish that Ron and Hermione would be here," Hari said after a moment.

"It's strange that they're not," Ryoma admitted glancing at her. "You…"

Hari looked over at him when he trailed off and saw that he was looking straight ahead and frowning slightly.

"What?" She asked.

"Nothing," he sighed.

"Ryoma?" Hari blinked as he picked up the pace and she felt confused and curious about what he wanted to ask or say. She also felt a flash of concern as she picked up her own pace in order to keep up with him.

Hari ended up with the court by herself while Ryoma had gone to get something to drink. He had not said anything about what he had been about to say and she sighed. Well, she would ask him more about it later.

"Hari-chan," a voice said and Hari spun around and smiled when she saw Saeki and Kisarazu standing there.

"Jiro-kun!" Hari grinned and jogged over to him and hugged him.

"You'd think you hadn't seen me in weeks and not just a day," Saeki laughed as he hugged her back. "You had fun yesterday?"

"Of course," Hari grinned up at him when she pulled away. "I'm happy you all made it too."

"It was fun," Kisarazu commented.

"Yeah, it was," Hari agreed. "So, you're the first one here?"

"I'm surprised you got here without getting lost, actually," Saeki smirked and looked around. "And before the rest of your team as well."

"Haha," Hari glared at him before her lips twitched amused. "I…kind of had company."

"Kind of?"

"Well, Ryo-chan is nearby," Hari admitted. "He just went to find something to drink."

"I knew it," Saeki laughed. "You would have ended up lost if you had been on your own."

"No, I wouldn't," Hari denied. "It's not me that gets lost, but the others who keep moving around and making it harder."

"Sure it is," Saeki agreed.

Hari huffed, "you're making fun of me."

"Wouldn't dream of it," Saeki grinned.

...

"They look to be close," Horio commented as he saw Hari talking with Saeki and Kisarazu. Horio was (like always) walking with Kachiro and Mizuno and Sakuno and Tomoka. They had met Fuji, Kawamura and Kikumaru close by and knew they too saw Hari talking easily with Saeki.

"They sure do;" Fuji smiled. "He was there yesterday, too."

"The rest of the team as well," Kikumaru added. "They really do know our Hari-chan."

"Wonder what they're talking about," Kachiro said.

"Who knows," Horio said sullenly. "But she shouldn't be that close to the other team before a match!"

"There's nothing wrong with it," Sakuno said almost timidly.

"No, there's not," Yoshida said coming up startling them.

"Yoshida-senpai!" Sakuno said surprised.

"Hey!" Yoshida smiled. "Sorry for being absent lately."

"Hari-chan said you were sick," Kachiro said shyly. "Are you feeling better now?"

"Yes," Yoshida nodded. "I'm better."

"Good," Sakuno smiled at her.

...

Hari smiled at Saeki before she waved and turned to go over to her own team when she noticed them arriving. She smiled wider when she noticed Yoshida and surprised the other girl when she hugged her.

"Welcome back!" Hari smiled. "Finally someone sane around here that can help me keep these runts in line!"

"Oi!" Momoshiro protested loudly.

"Hari-chan is mean, nya!" Kikumaru whined while hugging her. "Be nicer, Hari-chan!"

Hari groaned and pushed at him. "You're just proving my point!"

"Eiji!" Oishi sighed. "Calm down."

Hari sighed as she was released but smiled amusedly. She never got tired of this team.

"Gather around!" Ryuzaki called them. Hari walked with the others where Ryuzaki was standing and saw the annoyed look on Ryoma's face and saw him glance over at Aoi and knew the other boy must have done something to get Ryoma annoyed at him so fast.

"The game starts now!" Ryuzaki said. "First, doubles 2, Kawamura and Echizen Hari. Show them Seigaku's power and flexibility team!"

"Yes!" Kawamura said.

"Sure will!" Hari grinned.

"Let's take the lead right away!" Oishi said.

"Yes!"

Just then Oishi's phone buzzed and he pulled it out and read the message on it before grinning.

"It's from Tezuka!"

"Really?"

"Tezuka-Captain?"

"Let me see, let me see."

"Really?"

"What does it say?"

"Let's not get careless." Oishi read out loud.

Hari smirked, that sounded like Tezuka alright!

"That's it?" Kikumaru blinked.

"The juicy man represents the sense," Kaido hissed making Hari stifle a laugh.

"He hasn't changed at all," Fuji commented with a smile.

"That's more like our Captain anyway," Ryoma said.

Hari could tell that they all calmed down more as they talked about the message and knew that Tezuka was following them from Germany. Even if he wasn't here to take part in the game he was still here in a way that was important and helpful.

"Oh," Oishi said. "He also said; happy birthday, Hari-chan."

Hari smiled and nodded, "he even remembered? Well, say thank you to him when you reply."

Oishi nodded.

...

"Welcome to the semi-finals! Seigaku vs Rokkaku! Doubles 2 will now begin!"

Hari stepped onto the court with Kawamura and shared a smile with him before looking over at the other said of the court. She saw Kurobane and Amane standing ready and they seemed confident. She noticed the long racket Amane had and remembered seeing it once before. If she remembered correctly it had been their coach that had made it. In fact, she thought Saeki had told her that their coach had made all their rackets.

"One set match! Rokkaku's Kurobane to serve!" The referee called out.

Hari felt the familiar rush of anticipation and excitement as Kurobane prepared to serve the ball just as Kawamura started to chant like he normally did. She smirked as she noticed the startled looks from Kurobane and Amane.

"Hey! Hey! Bring it! Burning! All right, chump! Come on!"

Kurobane said something about no hard feeling and winning just as he served the ball and Hari barely had time to blink before the ball got past her and hit Kawamura in the stomach making him fall back.

"Kawamura!" Hari called out and she could tell the rest of her team and coach also reacted with concern and shock.

Hari didn't run over to him but she wanted to. He was already getting back to his feet with a thoughtful look on his face as he did so. She looked over at Kurobane with a pensive frown. He really had power in that serve… They would need to find out a way to counter that or they would not make it.

...

15-0: Rokkaku

Hari narrowed her eyes. The technique he used was high level and she could tell that he was better than she had first believed him to be. That was on her. She knew better than to underestimate someone but she had a feeling that she had done so with him. It annoyed her.

The next serve came at her and she gritted her teeth as she put all her power into it and managed to return it but Amane used his long racket to hit it back over the net.

"Leave it to me, Hari-chan!" Kawamura yelled.

Hari did and without looking knew that Kawamura had used the style Hadoukyo (a style that used 120% of an arm's strength) that he had copied from one of the Fudomine players. Kawamura had worked hard to perfect that style and had used it in almost all of his matches since. So, to see it being returned like it was nothing was enough for Hari to feel a little worried.

...

30-0: Rokkaku

...

Kurobane served again and while Hari again managed to return the ball Amane reached it and returned it once more. Kawamura used his power again and returned the ball and Hari was sure that it would be out of reach for Kurobane now but he managed to reach it and returned it once more and taking another point.

...

40-0: Rokkaku

...

The cheers from the others could be heard loud and clear but Hari didn't focus on this as she focused on the match and tried to think of a way out of this.

...

"Hm," Fuji commented. "Looks like a rough one."

"Hari-chan is not that power-player like the others are," Kikumaru said worriedly.

"She'll figure something out," Ryoma said confidently.

"You think so?" Horio asked sceptically. "I think Momo-chan should have played this one."

"Something different isn't necessarily bad," Kaido hissed never looking away from Hari and Kawamura. "Hari-chan might be the one to break them free."

...

1-0: Game Rokkaku!

...

"…"

"…"

"Arhg…"

...

2-0: Game Rokkaku!

...

"…"

*sigh*

"…ugh…"

...

3-0: Game Rokkaku!

...

Hari wiped her brow as she let out a frustrated sigh. This wasn't working and she was only holding Kawamura back. There was no way she could do anything in a power match and it wasn't like Kurobane and Amane was only using power-based moves…

She frowned.

Shit. She was an idiot… She looked over at Ryuzaki and saw her looking serious and a little pensive. Was she regretting putting Hari in this match now? Did they all think she was ruining their chances at winning? Maybe she shouldn't be playing this kind of matches…she wasn't as strong as the others… she had no use in power based matches.

She looked over at Kawamura who was looking determined and knew he hated to lose when it came to power. He always prided himself of his power play and knew that it was his strong suit and she was messing it all up because he had to cover for her more than not.

But she was no use in…Wait. She had already thought that, but why did it sound a little different in her mind now? She was no use in power matches. Ryuzaki knew that. So why had she put Hari in this match? If she had wanted another powerful player she would have had Momoshiro play. But she hadn't and had told Hari to play. Why?

"Are you going to serve today or?!" Someone from the crowd yelled.

Hari ignored them and looked at Kawamura again who glanced at her and arched a brow. She wasn't a power-player like him. But she was more flexible and had better agility than him and she was faster. Maybe she could use that in order to fight back?

Filled with new determination she bounced the ball a couple of times before she tossed it up in the air and did her slice serve.

Kurobane went for the ball and Hari followed it up ready when the ball was returned and had already jumped up and managed to direct the ball to the opposite side and away from both Kurobane and Amane with a clean hit.

The silence fell when she landed and the ball got past them both giving Hari and Kawamura their first points.

...

15-0: Seigaku

...

Hari rolled her shoulder and smiled.

"Well done, Hari-chan!" Kawamura said.

"Let's do this, senpai!" Hari smiled at him.

He nodded.

"Oh," Fuji smiled. "This is becoming interesting."

"Yes! They got a point!" Horio cheered along with Kachiro and Mizuno.

"Go Hari-chan! Go Kawamura-senpai!" Tomoka cheered jumping up and down and waving her pompoms.

Yoshida smiled as she made a note in her notebook and glanced at Inui who also looked to be taking notes. Her eyes found Hari again and she couldn't help but wonder at the steps she had been taking in her game… she really had developed since she had started, Yoshida thought.

...

30-0: Seigaku

...

40-0: Seigaku

...

"Hm," Saeki sighed.

"I thought Bane-chan and David-kun had this in the bag!" one of the kids around the team said as Hari served another ball and it went past both Kurobane and Amane.

"Hari-chan is good," Saeki said. "We all know that and Kawamura isn't to be dismissed either."

"I'm surprised they put Hari-chan against Kurobane and Amane," Shudo Satoshi commented and glanced over at Saeki. "I was expecting her against you."

Saeki nodded thoughtfully. He had also expected that Hari would be put together with Kikumaru or Fuji against him and Itsuki.

"Why? Why?" Itsuki asked. "Why did they not put her against Saeki? Why? Why?"

"I guess their coach has something in mind," Saeki said and watched as Hari and Kawamura won their first game.

...

3-1: Game Seigaku!

...

4-1: Game Rokkaku!

...

4-2: Game Seigaku!

...

4-3: Game Seigaku!

...

They had almost caught up with them! Only one game more and they would be at a tie! Hari could hear the cheering from her team while she saw the frowns on the Rokkaku team. She knew they would push back even more now but she had faith in her and Kawamura. They had found a way to play that mixed well together and with a little more push they would find a better way for Kawamura to use his power.

"Burning!" Kawamura yelled fired up. "Yes, baby! Burning!"

Hari shook her head slightly with an amused smile as Kawamura served the ball and she was prepared when Kurobane returned it. She ran forward and used all her strength in order to hit the ball back. She could tell that it was real power in this return and she gritted her teeth as her arm felt a little tingly after returning the ball again. But that didn't matter as the ball went past the Rokkaku players.

...

15-0: Seigaku

...

"Yes, burning!" Kawamura yelled.

"Good serve, Kawamura!" Hari grinned over at him.

He grinned back almost looking scary but she just smiled. "Ready, Kawamura? The real game begins now."

"You bet!" He said. "Burning!"

She nodded and looked over at Kurobane and Amane. They would step up their power now and she knew that it would be hard for her to keep up, but she had done her best and she would be able to do it. And she would use her own skills in order to give Kawamura the best opportunity to use his power that had been building up all the while they had played. The more intense the game got the more he got riled up and she knew he was burning (yes she used that word intentionally) to use it.

The ball rallied back and forth a few times and Hari even managed to return the ball in a place where Kurobane was forced to return it toward Kawamura who was standing behind her ready to send the ball back and she could almost feel the heat from it as it zoomed past her.

...

40-0: Seigaku

...

"They really are turning it around," Oishi commented.

"Hari-chan is making it possible," Fuji nodded. "She's allowing Kawamura to build up his power and are starting to manipulate where Rokkaku is returning their balls setting Kawamura up to use his strength in order to return the balls again."

"Woah," Kikumaru smiled. "They're a great team!"

"The design monitors the wound," Kaido hissed.

Hari somehow heard them and smiled slightly. They seemed to be optimistic. That was good.

...

4-4: Game Seigaku!

...

It was a tie!

Finally, Hari thought. If she was going to be honest she felt exhausted and her arm kind of hurt, but she knew she had to stay focused and that it was no time for her to let those things distract her.

She wanted to win. She wanted to win with Kawamura who was the kindest person on this team.

She frowned when she noticed Amane (or David as she had heard someone call him) tie his hair up and saw the almost shocked look from the rest of his team. She had no idea why, though. But she had a feeling that he was becoming even tougher now.

"Ah, now you've done it," Kurobane said.

"Eh?" Kawamura asked.

"He's serious now!" Kurobane said.

Well, it was about time, Hari thought not that impressed. They had tied their pretty solid lead. In her mind, it was past the time to get serious.

...

Hm. Oji was sitting on the bench and felt that this was not going the way he had hoped. He could tell that his two players were getting nervous and on edge. That was not good.

He looked over at the two Seigaku players and allowed himself to linger on Echizen Hari. She was good. The way she had turned this around and used her skills in order to do so.

Well, played, he thought as he glanced over at Ryuzaki at the other bench. That woman was always a challenge. She must have known what she was doing when she put Hari on this match. In a match that should not have been the kind of match that would fit her.

He sighed.

This was not going to go well…

...

5-4: Game Rokkaku!

...

Hari frowned slightly.

Okay, she hadn't really expected the game to be completely theirs yet. It was clear that Rokkaku had more to give.

She looked at Kawamura and saw the determination on his face. He nodded at her and she remembered him telling her about the new move he had worked hard on getting ready. He was now letting her know that he was ready to try it.

She nodded.

Rokkaku had the serve and she returned the ball and stepped back in order to give the court to Kawamura. He had already gotten into his stance and (if she was being honest) looked rather scary and un-Kawamura-like. His eyes almost burned red and she could only imagine the kind of fiery aura that would be surrounding him if such a thing was visible.

"It's the one-hand Hadoukyu!" Horio yelled excitedly.

No, it's not, Hari thought, eying him curiously from the corner of her eye. It's different… for one he was in a running stance or something like that and he was now moving with force and determination. She could see the strain he put on his ankles and not to mention his wrist on his right hand as he hit the ball and it shot over to the other side of the court making both Amane and Kurobane lose the hold of their rackets and making them fall to the ground by the pure force of the hit. The ball ended up lodged in the netting behind the pair and it looked scorched and Hari would swear she saw smoke coming from the ball.

Shocked and slightly scared silence fell for a moment as Kawamura dropped to the ground breathing heavily. Hari smiled but she would admit that she felt a little worried as well.

The cheering from the crowd got louder as the stunned silence fell away and Hari heard Tomoka and Sakuno call out their name for the move Kawamura had just used:

"Dash Hadoukyu!"

Well, it fit, Hari thought as she walked over to Kawamura and smiled down at him. He smiled back up at her and she held out a hand and helped him back up to his feet.

"Good one," Hari smiled. "But we're not done yet!"

He nodded still breathing a little harder but he had started to get control over it again.

...

5-5: Game Seigaku!

...

5-6: Game Seigaku!

...

6-6: Game Rokkaku!

...

"Game and match to Seigaku! 7-6!" The referee finally called causing Hari to sit down on the court feeling exhausted and sore. But she smiled happily. They had won!

...

"You won!" Kikumaru beamed and hugged Hari who smiled tiredly at him and winced slightly as he hugged her. Her arms ached but it was worth it.

"Well done," Fuji smiled.

"Thanks," Hari smiled.

"You two are a good team;" Momoshiro smiled.

Kawamura laughed and smiled at Hari who nodded in agreement. It had worked surprisingly well, though, she wasn't sure she really was the best to be put in what should have, and kind of was, been a power match.

"Kawamura-senpai isn't hard to work with," Hari said.

"Good job," Ryoma smiled at her and she felt warm seeing the pride in his eyes.

"Thanks," Hari smiled.

"Good game, Hari-chan," Yoshida smiled at her and Hari smiled back. "I have my observations of the game here for you to look at later."

"Great," Hari said. "Thank you."

Fuji and Kikumaru were the next ones up and Hari glanced over and saw that they were playing Saeki and Itsuki. This would be an interesting match as well. Hari smiled. She was curious to see what Fuji and Kikumaru could do, but also Saeki. It was too bad that she couldn't cheer for him, though.

...

Hari smiled as she watched Fuji and Kikumaru thank Saeki and Itsuki for the match. It had been an interesting one just like she had thought. Saeki had managed to lock down Kikumaru's acrobatic play for a while until Kikumaru had managed to break free again, but he had used too much of his stamina doing so and had been so exhausted that Fuji had to play on his own for a while.

But Saeki's ability to see Kikumaru's movements and reading them was not the only talent that Rokkaku had in this doubles match. Hari would admit that she had been surprised when Itsuki could hit a sinker. Meaning that the ball didn't have a spin to it and therefore making it difficult for Fuji to use his favourite and best moves.

Of course, Fuji was called a tennis genius for a reason and had managed to make Itsuki hit his sinker balls so they hit the net and therefore adding the spin he needed to his balls and managed to use his favourite Tsubame Gaeshi.

And added to the fact that Kikumaru managed to get enough stamina back at the end they won the match 6-2.

"Good match, Jiro-kun," Hari smiled at him when he stepped off the court.

"Thanks," he smiled back though she saw the trace of disappointment in his eyes. "They got us, though."

"Well, I was impressed by you," Hari smiled.

He laughed and ruffled her hair, "well, I'm glad. Did you learn anything?"

"Always the teacher, eh?" Hari laughed back but swatted his hand away.

"Of course," Saeki smiled.

"Well, then, yes," Hari nodded, "I did."

"Good." He said. "Maybe we'll play each other next time, eh?"

"That would be fun," Hari grinned.

She nodded once more and jogged back over to her own team and looked at Ryoma who was up next.

...

"So, how did it go?" Seiichi asked over the phone later that night.

"Well, we have to go back tomorrow," Hari said.

"Really?" Seiichi sounded surprised. "Why?"

"Because Ryo-chan's match against Aoi-kun isn't over yet," Hari sighed. "They played for over three hours and the referee had to stop the match because of the setting sun. So, since no one won they have to continue the match tomorrow."

"Huh," Seiichi said. "I haven't heard of that actually happening before. Echizen plays Singles matches, right?"

"Yes," Hari said. "Today it was Singles 3. If he wins we're ready for the finals because we won both of our doubles."

"You did? That's great," Seiichi said. "You played in the doubles, right?"

"Yes, with Kawamura-senpai," Hari said. "My arm still hurts."

"A power match, huh," Seiichi said sounding a little worried. "You're okay?"

"Yes," Hari smiled and looked down at the puzzle before her and tried to figure out the right spot for one of the pieces. "I am. Just a little sore."

"Okay, that's good, then," Seiichi said. "So, what are you doing now?"

"Besides talking to you," Hari grinned even though he couldn't see her.

"Yes," Seiichi laughed.

"Working on your puzzle," Hari said.

He was silent for a moment and she thought she heard him inhaled but she wasn't sure.

"I see," he said. "Take your time with it."

"I'm curious;" Hari said. "Can't you just tell me what it's off? It will be easier to find the right pieces then."

"No," Seiichi said and she could hear the smile in his voice. "You'll figure it out."

"Fine," Hari sighed. "I will. But I do think you could help me a little."

"I can say that it's of something important and something I really treasure," Seiichi said.

Hari blinked, "hm. Well, I guess I will see."

"Yes, you will," Seiichi said quietly.

Why was he suddenly sounding nervous?

"Sei-chan?" Hari asked. "You okay?"

"Of course I am," he said with a lighter voice.

"Alright," she said.

She heard the door open and close downstairs and smiled slightly, looked like Ryoma was back again. He had dragged Nanjiro out to play tennis right after they got back. She had not bothered to go and watch.

"Seems like Ryo-chan's back;" Hari commented.

"Oh? Did he go somewhere?" Seiichi asked.

"Went out to play tennis with Otou-chan," Hari said. "He is really riled up for the match."

"Sounds good," Seiichi said. "Can't be easy to have to pause it like that."

"No, but Ryo-chan can handle it;" Hari said confidently. "Though, I doubt he'll get much sleep…"

Seiichi laughed.

...

Hari stayed up late working on the puzzle and she could make out more and more of the image that was on it and she couldn't help the lump in her throat and the rapid heartbeats as she tried to keep from thinking about what it could be. She didn't want to be disappointed.

It was not intentional but finally she fell asleep on the floor in the midst of the puzzle and the beginning shape of something.

It was hours later that the opening and closing of a door startled her awake and she blinked as she realised that she had fallen asleep on the floor. She pushed herself up and grimaced as her muscles protested the movement had not enjoyed the hard surface she had slept on in addition to feeling it from the match the day before.

She rolled her shoulder lightly and winced but it didn't feel to be too serious. She rubbed her eyes and glanced out the window and she could still see the stars on the sky. So it was still night time, so who had left the house?

She looked to see the perch Hedwig usually used empty and knew she must still be out to look for food or just flying around doing whatever it was she did during her flight. Hari yawned and got to her feet and made her way out of the room and to the bathroom where she splashed some water on her face.

"Wonder who left…" she murmured.

She stepped out of the bathroom again and noticed that the door to Ryoma's room was open and she walked over to it and looked inside. She smiled. The bed was empty and his pyjamas were left on the bed.

"I guess I'll follow him," Hari said to herself rubbing at her eyes.

...

She found her way to the courts just as it had started to get light outside and before she could see the court she could hear the sound of tennis balls being hit and the thudding of them bouncing against the courts. She was not surprised when she spotted Ryoma and Aoi already playing each other on the court they had used the day before. She stopped walking as she watched them and decided against making herself known. It was too much fun to just watch.

So, she walked to the trees and looked up with a pensive look before she somehow managed to climb up to the nearest branch and settled on it. She made herself comfortable and grinned seeing that she had the perfect overview of the court and could see Ryoma and Aoi perfectly. Suddenly something white caught her attention and she smiled as Hedwig landed on her arm and hooted softly.

"Hey girl," Hari smiled. "You came to join me?"

Hedwig nibbled on her hair and Hari stroked her feathers as she shifted her eyes to the court and saw the smile on Ryoma's face. Hari arched a brow because not everyone could make Ryoma smile like that. She looked at Aoi who was smiling like had done yesterday and seemed even more pleased. Probably because of Ryoma's smile. He had been trying to get Ryoma to show more emotions the entire game the day before.

Hari lost track of time as they played before they stopped and walked off the court and she saw them picking a patch of grass underneath a tree a little to the right from her but hidden by the court. The only reason she could see them was because she was still up in the tree. She saw Ryoma drinking some ponta while Aoi had some water.

"There they are out," Hari commented to Hedwig. "Asleep…so troublesome, but amusing…"

She stayed in the tree and allowed her mind to wander. She wondered if Hermione and Ron had gotten home alright. She had forgotten to check the notebook that would allow her to write to them. She would have to do that later…

Hari wasn't sure when but suddenly her team had gathered underneath her tree and they seemed a little rattled and stressed. She blinked. When had they arrived?

"Still can't find Ryoma!" Horio reported as he and the other two first years came running up to them.

"His family?" Ryuzaki asked concerned.

"His dad said he had left earlier," Fuji said. "Hari-chan as well…"

"Hari-chan is probably lost," Momoshiro snorted, "but Echizen… Where can he be?!"

Lost? How rude! Hari scowled at them from her tree.

"Kaido warm up just in case," Ryuzaki ordered and Kaido hissed something.

"Oi!" Hari called out. "How rude! I'm not lost!"

They all startled and it was amusing to see them look around for her but seeing nothing.

"Up here," Hari said.

They looked up and blinked. Hari knew she must be some sight sitting in the tree with Hedwig in her lap looking content and half-asleep.

"Hari-chan!"

"What…"

"When did you get up there?!"

Hari shrugged, "and Ryo-chan is over there." She pointed behind her and watched them make their way toward Ryoma and Aoi who were still sleeping. Hari decided it was time to get down and jumped off the tree easily landing on her feet and casually made her way behind the others.

"Ah…"

Fuji laughed lightly and met Hari's eyes. She could tell he was amused.

"Should I wake them?" Kawamura asked.

"Of course," Ryuzaki sighed with her arms folded over her chest.

"What have they been doing?" Kikumaru asked curiously as Kawamura tried to wake them up.

"I think I can guess," Fuji smiled.

Hari shrugged, "what do you normally do on a tennis court?"

"You mean…they have been playing?" Sakuno asked surprised.

"Mm," Hari smiled. "Until recently. Then they fell asleep. Guess they got rid of the restlessness that was keeping them awake all night."

"And you watched from a tree?" Fuji arched a brow.

"As good as observation spot as any," Hari shrugged with a smile.

The others shook their heads but had gotten used to her in some way so it wasn't that surprising any more. Hari smiled as Ryoma and Aoi woke up and looked confused for a moment before Aoi startled and seemed to remember that he should be with his own team. He rushed off and left the rest amused or exasperated.

"How cute," Hari smiled reaching out to ruffle Ryoma's hair making him scowl at her and swat her hand away. "You're adorable when you wake up."

"Shut up," Ryoma blushed and got up.

"Go and wash your face," Ryuzaki sighed.

"Okay," Ryoma said and jogged away with one last scowl at Hari who just laughed.

...

"Game and match! Seigaku's Echizen! 6-4!" The referee finally called out.

Hari smiled happily. He finally managed to win. It was not an easy victory either, because Aoi was good. He was probably one of the best players Ryoma had played against so far.

Cheering filled the air and Hari smiled as Momoshiro threw an arm around her shoulders grinning happily.

They were ready for the finals!

...

...

AN: What do you think? XD

Hope you liked it! :) I hope there wasn't too much tennis in this... I tried to balance it out, but I don't know if it turned out to be too much or too little. Always difficult to get right. :)

Merry Christmas (though a little late)! XD
I also wanted to thank you all for the support and everything for this story 2019! I can't believe it's already almost 2020... This year has gone by so quickly. I really do appreciate the readers and every review, favourite and follower. XD Happy New Year everyone!