Over the next week each of the couple's went out after school learning some more about each other everyday. However, the Host club could tell that the new students were keeping something from them when asked about his childhood, Harry would quickly change the subject with Hermione or the twins help. Hermione always kept a scarf on and long sleeves even though the school remained quite warm she would not remove any of her outer clothes to cool down.
Haruhi-chan noticed that Hermione would unconsciously rub her left arm when she was doing schoolwork or reading a book by the library window. She would get a far off look that was almost haunted. Hermione's eyes would tear up then she would shake her head, rub her eyes and go back to work. Haruhi-chan wasn't sure what happened in her past but Hermione seemed strong and doing well. There were times when Haruhi-chan wanted to ask what was wrong but she didn't feel she should know yet since they had just started dating.
Mori-senpai was in a similar situation with Harry. Ever since their chaste kiss last week. Harry withdrew from the group a bit. He would rub his forehead where his hair covered a noticeable scar. Mori-senpai could see it partially but Harry's long bangs hid it most of the time. On occasion, there was a brief glance that Mori-senpai could see he wanted to swipe Harry's hair aside and see the whole thing. He knew it was jagged.
He also knew there was a nasty scar on Harry's arm, he saw part of it when Harry reached for the tea set during the Host club. Harry realized it was showing and quickly pulled down his sleeve. He looked down in shame. His eyes swimming with unshed tears. He shakingly excused himself to the bathroom. Where Mori-senpai found him bawling his eyes out. Harry was inconsolable. Mori-senpai tried to comfort by pulling him into a tight hug but it made Harry cry harder. His whole body was shuddering. Mori-senpai's uniform was soaked by the huge tears coming from Harry's eyes. More than 10 minutes had gone by with no stopping in sight, Mori-senpai softly kissed the top of Harry's head then he whispered into Harry's ear.
" Harry, I'm sorry for whatever happened in your past but that's where it is at. Please look at me. I want to help you but I can't if you don't open up to me. What happened to you my sweet?" He spoke in a smooth baritone that caused Harry to slow his tears down, he was still choking a bit but he looked to be minutely calming down.
"I'm not supposed to tell anyone. I have an oath that I took. I'm not allowed to tell anyone who wasn't there or has explicit permission to know," Harry mournfully shared.
" Is there any way you can get permission so you can have someone to talk to about everything that happened to you?" Mori-senpai asked with hope in his voice. He wanted to take care of Harry, to hold and comfort him, to grow with him.
" I can but I have to be careful. I'm hiding from some dangerous people and I have to be subtle in contacting them. Hermione and the twins know some of the truth but most of the information they are not allowed to know either. I wish I could tell you but I can't before permission is given," Harry told Mori-senpai. Harry wanted to tell Mori-senpai what happened to him not long ago but the statute of secrecy kept Harry quiet. He would have to contact Kingsley Shacklebolt for permission. However, this offered a complication since Harry and the group ran off shortly after the final battle to escape the wizarding world and the dangers that were lurking in the background there.
" I'll let you know when and if I have been given an answer, but it may take a while to get to me since I have to be sneaky contacting my minister," Harry told him. Mori-senpai smiled.
" Soon, I hope. I can see that there is much you have to say but I can respect the need for secrecy. I have many of my own for my family and it's businesses," he said in understanding and sincerity.
Harry thought over his options and decided an encoded patronus would be the best way to talk to Kingsley Shacklebolt. He sent his stag with a simple message: meet me for afternoon tea at the house of padfoot in 3 days time. He hoped Kingsley Shacklebolt would be there, he had much to discuss and probably had a lecture coming his way for leaving. Harry came back to the living room in the apartment he shared with Hermione and the twins. He sighed and fell onto the couch where Hermione was reading a large book on advanced charms. Even though they had been out of Hogwarts for over a year she still tried to learn something new about magic. He loved that about his pseudo sister. She knew something was on his mind but knew not to ask until he was ready to talk about it. Harry knew he would be in for a lecture if Hermione knew he was planning on stopping in London in only a couple of days for a few hours. Thankfully, it would be a Sunday so everyone most likely had plans and wouldn't notice his absence.
To keep up appearances he asked Mori-senpai out in front of everyone. Thankfully, in private he asked Mori-senpai to cover for him. Harry couldn't wait to get permission to talk to him about more of his past. He was actually looking forward to opening up to someone who didn't have to live through what he had to the past 17 years of his life.
As the next couple of days ticked by everyone could tell Harry had something on his mind. He was very jittery and full of energy. Mori-senpai smiled at Harry knowing the cause of his excitement. Everyone tried to calm him down slightly to no avail. Hani-senpai walked over to Harry during their Host club proceedings and sat down at the table where Harry was entertaining a few girls who looked at him with mirth.
"Can you young ladies give us a moment. I need to talk to Harry, he seems excessively excited?" Hani-senpai asked, charming the girls into leaving quickly. "So Harry what is going on that has you bouncing around like me after too much cake?"
"I have something to ask of someone but I can't divulge it just yet, but in due time I may give you more of a hint. And don't worry Mori-senpai knows what is going on, mostly, but he will find out everything here soon," Harry replied almost in code. Hani-senpai was reassured slightly that Mori knew what was going on.
" Okay Harry. Good luck then," Hani-senpai answered with a boyish smile before skipping back to his table and placing a large bite of cake into his mouth. Harry shook his head at the boy and his antics even if Hani-senpai was about the same age as him. Harry looked up and saw Mori-senpai smiling softly at him. Harry returned one back which caused several girls that noticed the interaction to swoon at the sight of blossoming love.
On Sunday afternoon, Harry snuck off to a remote wooded area to apparate to London. He had to make a stop in Turkey, he researched the area beforehand to ensure his safety and security. He breathed in deeply to calm his mind and relax before twisting on his heel and arriving in a secluded area a few miles from Istanbul. He was sweating from not using so much of his magic he waited for a few minutes before twisting again and landing a couple blocks away from Grimmauld place. His senses were heightened as he walked to his godfather's home. He was worrying about how Kingsley would react to once again seeing him. Or the possibility of there being a trap waiting for him. The anxiety from the war had him jittery. Especially, when he was in England.
He approached the house quickly and did a scan of his surroundings, nothing seemed to be out of place, he climbed the stairs slowly as if he was headed to his doom. In a way he could be it would all depend on Kingsley's attitude towards his questions. He took a deep breath and opened the creaking door. He stepped inside the stale air and gloominess.
He walked into the kitchen and cleared his throat at the sight of the minister. Kingsley turned around and the sound and a smile shone on his face, he walked over to Harry and pulled him into a bone-crushing hug.
"It's good to see you Kings," Harry gasped out. Kingsley bellowed a laugh.
"It is good to see you as well Harry. It has been awhile since I have seen you. You look much more relaxed than the last time I saw you. And it appears you have gained some weight as well. How are Hermione and the twins doing?" Kingsley asked.
" I will but first I need to ask you about the little girl in the woods, why was she there?" He raised a brow in question.
"Why she only wanted to taste a dollop of strawberries and cream down by the dried up river," Kingsley replied.
" They are doing well. The twins are still up to their pranking ways and Hermione is still absorbing any and all knowledge she can get her hands on. Oh and I know she won't mind me telling, but she has a girlfriend and they are cute together. Haruhi really has brought her out of her shell. I'm happy for her. She has been making friends as well. Which I'm glad especially after the turmoil we endured recently. Oh and of course I have made a few friends as well as I found someone who understands me and my secrets. He asked about my past but seeing that he is a muggle I can't tell him anything really. I told him that I can't tell him anything without permission. He understood the need for secrecy as well since he helps with his family's business and the need for discretion. I told him I would ask for permission. He told me that he would support whatever decision you make," Harry said with a giggle thinking about Mori-senpai.
Kingsley was shocked at the difference in Harry when he began to talk about this mysterious boy. But he also could tell that Harry needed someone he could talk to about his past. Kingsley knew it would help Harry heal from the mental and emotional trauma of the war. But before he could grant clemency of the statute he needed more information about the boy.
" Well, it seems that you are happy Harry. But I need more information before I can grant you permission to let this boy know about magic. First, what is his name?" Kingsley asked.
" His name is Takashi Morinozuka," Harry answered quickly.
" Hmm. That is an interesting name Harry. Where is he from?" Kingsley asked next.
" He is from Japan," Harry replied.
"Okay. Now why do you want him to know about your past magic and all?" Kingsley asked the question he really wanted the answer to.
" He brings out my happiness, he allows the demons of my past to be locked away tightly as if they'll never return. When I see him smile it brightens my whole day. I trust him with everything but I can't tell him everything yet. He cares for me, he makes sure I eat, he makes sure that I am able to get plenty of rest, he makes sure that I am taken care of and happy and everything. I feel protected around him, that no matter what happens he has my back,"Harry answered with a bright smile on his face. Kingsley liked his answer but he wanted to meet the boy first.
"Harry I just need to meet the boy and then I will give you permission to talk to him about everything. Is there any chance I can meet him now?" Harry was not ready for that question but he thought about it for a moment.
" You can, he is probably with his cousin at the moment. I can call him after I side-along you with me. But it will take us a stop on the way since I'm a long distance from here," Harry said.
"Well let's get going then Harry," Kingsley chuckled. Harry grabbed his arm and twisted stopping back in Istanbul for a moment before apparating back to Japan. He landed them in a secluded park about a block from his apartment. They walked to the building quickly so that Harry could call Mori-senpai. Mori-senpai wasted no time answering his phone when he saw who was calling.
" Harry I'm so glad to hear from you. I hope everything went well. Did you get permission from your minister?" Mori-senpai wasted no time asking.
" Pretty much a yes however he wants to meet you first before I can get permission," Harry replied.
"When can I meet him?" Mori-senpai asked.
"Ummm... Now if you want he is in Japan standing next to me," Harry replied not wanting to say too much on how Kingsley arrived.
"Okay I'll be right over then give me 5 minutes," Mori-senpai hung up quickly before nearly running out of a cafe near Harry's apartment.