xanxus.
The Japanese kid will be a good Don.
He knew it even before they fought.
He knows by the way his Guardians looked at him.
He may have been scared and rather pathetic then but once he accepted his role in their Family, he grew up. Tsunayoshi matured and when the time came Xanxus knows he will love the Famiglia as his own.
.
Varia is coerced into attending the Inheritance Ceremony, for the second time. Coerced because they went to the first one of their own volition and Xanxus did not want be forced into a suit for another one when the first one still counted in his mind.
Tsunayoshi was already been accepted by the Sky ring so the entire ceremony is practically theatre.
But it is not too great a waste of time.
The Famiglia is his life - both the main Family and his Varia.
He will suffer through the fanfare if it means the Famiglia would live another day.
.
Out of the corner of his eye he sees Squalo's remaining hand twitch.
A tell very few could recognize for what it was.
Intruders.
Squalo turns his body slightly to block him from the windows.
He swearst if anyone interrupted the ceremony he will shoot on sight. He absolutely does not want to do this again.
Not a chance.
.
Fortunately, whoever is lurking has the decency to wait until after the show to reveal themselves.
It is unheard of that anyone would attack while the inner circle of Varia was present.
A man in robes runs up from behind him and grab his arm urgently pulling him back into the hallway.
Xanxus jams his gun into the man's chest.
"Harry," he hissed. "It's me."
"Black? Why are you here?" He keeps his voice low though he knew his people were watching from all corners of the room.
"You need to get out of here-"
"No, you need to get out of here. The fuck does this look like to you?"
"That's not the point!" Black insists," That's not the point. You really need to get out of here. They're coming for you. We couldn't stop them."
Several cracks echo around them and he knows the hallways will soon be stormed at supposed gun shots.
The last thing he sees is Squalo sprinting towards him before his world dissolves in a swirl of color.
.
Sirius will freely admit that the past several months have been a series of mistakes.
They should not have gone after Harry without a plan and they most definitely should not have allowed the Order to find his location.
And now, several of their allies are undergoing serious medical treatment because they snuck up on his godson – ex-godson.
If they waited and actually spoke to him, their allies wouldn't be in critical condition.
If they had actually bothered to listen instead of snatching him of all things six order members wouldn't have been shot.
Harry shot them.
If he was not already so disillusioned he would have cried.
Four were injured on their collection of him and the others had been a consequence of their arrival at headquarters – his weapons had since been confiscated.
And now, Harry is magically bound to a chair scowling at everyone present after being silenced once he had begun to continuously harass everyone around him.
The whole situation is a bloody mistake.
.
xanxus.
Those scum, those trash, those fools.
He has never been so angry in his life.
Never.
Nothing compares to the ferocity of the pure wrath coursing through his veins.
They took him.
He let them take him.
Then, they took his guns.
He has ¾ of a mind to burn them to the ground.
The other ¼ was curious.
.
sirius.
He watches as Hermione flits around near the entrance of the room Harry is being held in obviously wanting to speak.
She was one of the few to openly object to their plan.
It probably stems from the fact that she regrets ever stepping foot in the Wizarding World.
Moony is in the basement preparing for the full moon it was barely evening but with the current threshold of stress –
Sirius pulls out his wand and Harry's eyes narrow in suspicion, even when he cancels the silencing charm.
"The fuck do you want, trash?"
"Harry-"
Xanxus glares and Kingsley promptly shuts his mouth.
"Let's get some things clear, trash.
"One: the name is Xanxus
"And two: if you don't answer my questions, I will burn you to the ground."
.
hermione.
She feels utterly horrid about the entire situation.
Harry has not been a part of the Wizarding World for over a decade.
He is not one of them and there is no reason why he should be forced to fight their battles.
Battles they already lost.
Looking at the man before her, she knows there was no way they could force him to do anything against his will.
She is not surprised that this Harry – no – that Xanxus is different than the Harry she knew.
He is, in fact, a grown man and Merlin knows what kind of life he leads – by the scars on his face she assumes it has not been a peaceful one.
Why no one else understand that she hasn't the faintest.
She did her best, alongside Sirius and Remus, to slow the Order in their search but it seemed inevitable that they would find him.
She was under no illusion that they wouldn't take him and she wasn't blind enough to ask him to fight a war they lost years ago.
But she feels the power dripping from his words as he speaks and she wonders why he is bothering to listen to them at all.
.
sirius.
Molly gasps when she enters the room and he wants to bash his head against the wall.
"Are you alright, dear?
"Why is he tied up?"
No one answers and she banishes the ropes.
Everyone moved forward at once but Xanxus stays seated.
"First question: Who the fuck are you?" He glared at the matronly woman – something that had not changed through the war.
"Harry-" she tries.
"Wrong. Strike one. Who are you?" he leans back in the chair he was very recently bound to with a casualness of a man self-assured enough to recognize when he is in control.
.
xanxus.
He rather blatantly surveys the room.
There is a woman about his age standing in the door way, a bald man to his right, and Black against the wall to his left.
The woman attempting to fuss over him is revolting.
He recognizes that she probably means well but, hell, only Lussuria is allowed to talk to him like that.
"Answer the question."
The woman at the door steps forward.
"We are The Order of the Phoenix.
"The organization was started by Albus Dumbledore during the first war and reconvened during the onset of Voldemort's return."
He notes which individuals flinch at the name.
"Since you're here, the war is still being fought."
The woman shakes her head appearing rather vexed.
"It could have been prevented, but the second war only lasted two years before it was lost.
"Since then, we have become a major steeple of the underground rebellion.
"We heal the wounded and home children who have been misplaced.
"In the beginning we raided Death Eater bases and had spies within the Ministry but then people grew fearful. A raider group was caught and their families were murdered and they were imprisoned.
"The movement still has small groups that have taken over the fighting, but we have become less of a militia and more of a rehabilitation center."
He mulls over her words and the passion in her eyes – she is a strong Cloud.
"You said the loss could have been prevented. Explain."
"Ever since the first war, Dumbledore advocated for defeating the Dark Lord through peaceful means." She scoffs.
"While our enemy was using the Torture Curse and Entrails Spells, we have been stuck using Binding Hexes and Stunners." She spits the last word with such distain he finds himself impressed.
"Hermione, dear. If we had fought like they fight we would have been no better than them." The matronly lady attempts to sooth.
"I would rather be like them now than have lost the war." She growls. He decides then and there that he will take her with him when he blows this joint.
The woman is seemingly appalled by her words and he asks before he was stuck listening to something tedious.
"So, why the hell am I here?"
With a set jaw and clenched fists the Cloud speaks.
"They want you to win the war."
.
hermione.
The laugh that explodes from Xanxus is the most mocking she has ever encountered.
Xanxus then smirks at her and asks the one thing no one was expecting:
"How much?"
Unlike the others, she is not taken aback at the seemingly outrageous question.
Unlike their world, the Muggle World is not in a state of chaos – not all of it at least.
They took him from an apparently sophisticated event – if his clothes are anything to go by – but he is armed.
And she is not naïve enough to believe the only weapons on him are those guns.
The rest of the room is entirely bewildered.
"You're telling me," Xanxus laughs, "that you expected me to kill someone for free?"
The last word was spat with more incredulity then she thought was possible.
No one speaks despite – or maybe in spite of – their gaping mouths.
.
xanxus.
He stands quickly, nearly knocking over the chair.
"Ragazza, where are my guns?" he questions the Cloud and ignoring the wands pointed at his person.
The girl disappears through a side entrance.
"Now," he addresses the room, "I am going to walk out that door and I'm taking the womanl with me."
"Just a minute, why don't you just sit back down and I'm sure we can work something out-"
"Do I get a say in this?" The cloud very nearly drawls. She stands in the doorway his guns in hand.
"No." He stalks across the room, retrieving his weapons, and motioning for the Cloud to follow.
He turns at a shout to see a red beam of magic hurtling towards him but before he can react, the Cloud practically growls as she throws up a shield and begins shooting spells.
In that moment, she reminds him of the kid's Cloud, the one who wants to bite everyone. That kid is an animal, totally feral. If he possessed any subtly, he would have been Varia quality.
Xanxus cocks a gun, "Push me, and I will burn you where you stand."
.
hermione.
She generally prided herself on keeping her head in tense situations, but when that stunner was cast at the very man they wanted to save them –
It was cowardly.
It was despicable.
It was unforgiveable.
She cannot remember what precisely transpired, but the next thing she knows she is being directed into a car with heavily tented windows.
With half a mind, she slides across the backseat allowing Xanxus to join her.
"With no due respect, boss," a silver haired man turns in the driver's seat to face them, "what the ever loving fuck."
The scarred man smirks, "She was being wasted."
She looks around the inside of the vehicle – it has been years since she has last had contact with the real world.
"-do you even know her name?"
She blinks and turns her gaze to the man next to her.
Does he remember her name?
It has been over ten years after all.
The long-haired man sighed and rubbed his eyes, "What's your name, ragazza?""
She blinks at him with furrowed brows and a foggy mind.
"Did you harmonize with her?"
She is terribly confused as Xanxus looks her over.
"You were like this too," he gives by way of an answer.
The man sighs again, "Again, what the fuck, boss."
She watchs the stranger look at Xanxus and then nod before he turns around and puts the car into gear.
"I'm glad you're alright… shitty boss."
.
xanxus.
After the Cloud managed to harmonize, she practically shut down.
It happened – to some extent – to his other guardians and Brow Nei had determined it to be their bodies going to shock after merging with his corrupt flames.
However, the only other guardian to be that strongly affected was Squalo when they were fifteen.
He is not actually concerned.
Xanxus leads the Cloud out of the house and several blocks away before he deems them safe and pulled out his phone.
"We need a lift," he speaks before the other end has a chance.
"The shark is near your location," responds the nasally voice of the not-baby.
"Charge my account," he abruptly ends the call not waiting for a response.
"Come on, ragazza. It's time to move."
.
squalo.
He is more pissed than he was worried. Well, not really. His worried and pissed levels are about 50:50.
The boss wa snatched – which was ridiculous in its own right – but it happened under the watch of some of the most powerful people in the world.
God knows what Timoteo was thinking, but the kid is furious. He truly considered Xanxus family and not just Familgia.
He took charge of the situation and was doing his best to maintain peace before fingers started to be pointed.
Initially, the Varia was out for blood – and still is – but they still have not figured out a way to kill an unknown enemy. So, using his authority as second in command, he banished them to headquarters.
Afterwards, he accosted Mammon and obtained the boss' location.
He is however, surprised to see the boss picked up a stray.
A stray who harmonized with his Sky almost as strongly as he.
It is not so much a cause of concern as it was a matter of intrigue.
Regardless, Xanxus is adamant in her being Varia quality and he finds himself believing it as fact – even as she was in shock from the harmonization.
The Cloud – whatever the hell her name is – wasn't going anywhere.
And maybe that wouldn't be so bad.
.
hermione.
Honestly, Hermione had no idea where she was going or what was actually going on.
At some point she was ushered out of the car and into what she vaguely recognized as a private jet.
The long haired man said something to the pilot before handing Xanxus a bottle of something that was most definitely alcoholic.
It too a while, but her head eventually began to clear and she realizes she was totally impulsive.
She attacked the Order!
Sure she had harbored the desire for years but…
They were supposed to be allies!
She is conflicted, on one hand she is mortified that she lost control but on the other hand she is surprisingly proud at her ability to protect Xanxus whether or not he actually required it.
"Your head should be clearing up by now."
The long haired man sat across from her and gracefully crossed his legs.
She pushes herself off of where she was leaning her head against the wall and meets his gaze head on.
"Since the boss is shit at explaining anything, I'll give you the run down."
He speaks without waiting for a response.
"In our world there are powers beyond what your world understands.
"We call these powers flames and there are seven basic types.
"Sun, Rain, Mist, Storm, Lightening, Cloud, and Sky."
She opens her mouth but he continues before she can speak.
"Pure Skies have the property of harmonization.
"Which means that over time the collect people, we call them Guardians.
"And as soon as we step off this damn plane, this will become your life."
.
squalo.
The woman is taking his explanation surprisingly well – but maybe being magical helped with that? He knows jack shit about magic, so what would he know.
The opposite is definitely true.
As soon as he finishes speaking, he watches her narrow her eyes and ask the one thing that everyone asks first.
"What does any of this have to do with me?"
He gives a toothy grin, "There are two types of flames: active and inactive.
"Individuals with inactive flames can awaken them through accessing their Dying Will.
"This usually occurs when they are placed in a life threatening situation – be it intentional or not."
The woman glares at him obviously wanting him to get to the point.
He gives a sharp laugh.
"Like I said Skies collect people, one of each attribute through a process called harmonization.
"Harmonization can occur partially or totally depending on the situation.
"Now, if you are who I think you are, than it is likely that a partial bond was formed before either of you were flame active.
He uncrosses his legs and leans forward.
"You want to know what any of this has to do with you.
"You, Hermione Granger, have formed a complete guardian bond with the boss.
"And after some training," he looked her over, "you will be able to take over as Varia's Cloud Officer."
.
hermione.
Merlin, Hermione has so many questions.
She is a Cloud.
What does that entail?
She is bonded to Xanxus?
Who else is he bonded to?
But the first question to come out of her mouth is:
"How do you know my name?"
The man scoffs and crosses his arms.
Only his left hand is gloved.
"I fucking listen," he snaps.
"To wh-"
A heavy hand lands on the back of the seat next to her instantly cutting her off.
"OI, shitty shark, how long till we land," Xanxus somehow manages to sprawl dignifiedly in the chair next to the long haired man.
"You have legs, shitty boss."
Xanxus responds with a grunt and looks right at her.
"You doin' alright?"
She looks back and forth between the men, incredulous.
"How could you talk to each other like that?! Aren't you friends?!"
Xanxus snorts a laugh, "We haven't been friends since for fucking ever."
.
xanxus.
He watches the woman, Hermione – Squalo figured it out and he sort of remembers her – put two and two together.
It was fucking hilarious.
The only one they ever told was Lussaria and the baby certainly knew. Levi walked in once – he stopped trying to get into his rooms after that – and Primo only knows what the brat knew.
"If we ever fucking land," he ignors Squalo rolling his eyes, "It's going to be a shit storm.
"When your people showed up we were in the middle of an event.
"Both my men and the kid's kids will be demanding an explanation.
"So, stick close and keep your mouth shut until we make it to HQ."
"Actually, we will be landing at the airfield near HQ," Squalo interjected.
"Figured it would be better than parading her through the Main House."
"Knew there was a reason I kept you around."
"I'm sorry but, headquarters for what?"
"It's our base," he gives a non-answer.
"And who are you?" The woman askss obviously pissed at the evasiveness and he was loving every moment.
He smirked wickedly, "Varia."