Thank you for the long wait! Last year was so crazy and stressful, but here it is! Next to be updated: My Eye Marshmallow

Enjoy!

After the patrol guards incident, things definitely had changed within the Dursley household. Of course, their hatred towards Harry haven't diminish one bit but rather intensified as a result of this incident. However, compared to the past, the Dursleys were certainly less hostile in the sense that they would resort to verbal abuse rather than physical violence.

And whenever Harry displeased them in anyway, they would command him to go to his cupboard instead of giving him another beating. And consequently, due to this recent development, Harry's injuries were able to heal to Giotto's relief. So finally, things were looking good for Harry... within the Dursley house at least because on the school grounds, for instance, Harry was still in danger.

Due to the fact that Dudley was warned by his parents to restrain himself and not beat Harry inside the house, he decided to vent his frustrations on Harry when they were at the kindergarten. And suffice to say, Dudley only became more aggressive since then.

However, Harry wasn't stupid. Every morning, he would wake up much more earlier than the Dursleys, cook their breakfast and leave the house as fast as he could. Afterwards, he would hide in a safe place so that Dudley wouldn't find him.

But that wasn't the only tactic that Harry utilized. During class time, Harry would blend in with his classmates rather than constantly being alone and let himself be the perfect target for Dudley.

Avoidance. That was what Harry needed because for sure, if he confronted Dudley, he knew he would lost the fight before it even began due to his smaller physique and lack of training.

Nevertheless, Dudley was relentless. He would incessantly chase after Harry every day. In fact, this morning, like usual, Harry set the food on the table, grabbed his backpack and left as quietly as possible.

Since there was ample time, he didn't see the need to rush and was actually having fun jumping into the small puddles. Giggling, Harry turned to Giotto with a mischievous glint in his eyes. "Daddy, if the water 'touch' you, you lose, 'kay?"

And without hearing Giotto's response, Harry began his attack, kicking the water high into the air as Giotto dodged every attempt. And just like that, the two had spent perhaps twenty minutes fooling around until suddenly, a loud, demanding voice called from behind. "Hey, cousin!"

Harry stiffened and without looking back, he sprinted forward as fast as he could, clutching the straps of his backpack tightly, knowing that Dudley was hot on his tail.

"Stop right now or you'll regret it!" Dudley yelled from behind, his face turning red from both anger and exhaustion.

Harry stuck out his tongue despite the fact that Dudley couldn't see it; he'd be a fool if he had listened to Dudley's demands. Alas, the father and son entered the building and Harry looked around wildly, searching for a place he could temporarily hide in.

"The teachers' lounge," Giotto advised and Harry nodded. Sparing a quick glance behind, Harry dashed into the room and noticed that none of the teachers were present, which doesn't surprise him as the teachers were probably in their respective classrooms, preparing for their lessons.

Harry lowered his body, and hastily crawled underneath someone's desk, shifting his body into a fetus position in order to make his presence even more inconspicuous. Harry listened intently and sighed inaudibly once he heard the thundering footsteps becoming lighter and lighter, notifying Harry that Dudley had left the area.

Harry poked his head out, getting ready to crawl out when all of a sudden, the sound of someone's footsteps were coming closer. Harry looked at Giotto, who then reassured him by saying, "I'll go check."

However, just as he was nearing the door, the door unexpectedly creaked open with Giotto standing face to face with... Hibari. Hibari of course didn't spare Giotto a single glance and had, in fact, walked through Giotto's intangible body.

Hibari strolled over to his desk and pulled his rolling chair out slightly. When he sat down, Harry leaned back in order to avoid Hibari's legs and feet from touching him and thereby alerting Hibari of his presence. But of course, that in of it itself was a challenge as Hibari was practically invading Harry's personal space, leaving Harry with no room to squirm and be comfortable.

The brunette had even covered his mouth, afraid that Hibari would feel the warmth of his breath against his leg, though that probably wouldn't happen seeing as Hibari was wearing a long, black trouser.

A minute had passed.

By now, Harry's heart had stopped palpitating as loudly as before and had resumed to its normal, calm rhythm. Okay, he could definitely do this.

Four minutes.

Harry's back was starting to itch, but he didn't dare to make a move recklessly, all the while hoping that the itch would go away. Meanwhile, Giotto lowered his body, his eyes aligned with Harry's line of vision. "Harry, perhaps it would be better if you get out? Isn't it comfortable?"

Harry pursed his lips; yes, this was very uncomfortable. But wouldn't he get in trouble if Mr. H saw him hiding under his desk? Besides, this could be his secret mission! If he hid under Mr. H's desk and remain undetected the entire time, Harry could officially call himself the best "hide-and-seeker."

Now, all he need to do was wait. Wait. Wait...

Ten minutes.

To be honest, Harry was starting to sweat. Was it just him or was it actually getting hot in here? But once again, he remain frozen-

Hibari shifted his leg and this time, he crossed his left leg over his right, nearing smacking Harry's face had he not dodged at the last second.

"Harry, you're making me nervous," Giotto remarked. "Are you sure you don't want to get out?"

Harry thinned his lips. No.

Fifteen minutes.

Twenty minutes.

Thirty minutes, and so on and so forth. Throughout the entire time, Harry persevered and the hands on the clock landed on: 8:17, just 13 more minutes before class officially began.

But suddenly, Hibari stood up, stacking the papers and folders together.

'Victory,' Harry thought and grinned at Giotto as Hibari walked towards the door.

But just when he touched the doorknob, Hibari spoke for the first time whilst he was in the teachers' lounge, "If I were you, next time I wouldn't hide underneath someone's desk, herbivore. Time for class." And then he left, leaving Harry flabbergasted and disappointed.

Giotto looked at Harry and teased, "Mission failed, child."

Harry pouted at his daddy with a mock glare.

The following day, Harry followed his usual routine but this time, he didn't dilly-dally on his way to school; in fact, he had rushed here, hoping that he would get here before Hibari.

Let round two commence.

He opened the door and, to his disappointment, Hibari was already by his desk with his planner out. "Yes?" Hibari asked without looking at his guest, and Harry merely walked towards his teacher and plopped down, sitting on the floor.

Both of them didn't say anything and Harry, finally having enough of his awkward silence, took out his unfinished drawing from his backpack and started coloring. He would usually engage in a conversation with Giotto, but his daddy had always warned him to not speak to him when there was a third party present in order to prevent unnecessary gossips and negative rumors about Harry from spreading.

Harry knew that no one but him could see his daddy and despite the fact that he doesn't like this limitation, Harry had come to accept it after beaten by the Dursleys for speaking to his so called "imaginary friend."

Nevertheless, in spite of everything, Harry love his daddy and that would forever remain true.

Harry glanced at his drawing whilst nibbling his lower lip; hmm, he definitely need a bright orange for daddy's hair, otherwise the drawing would be incomplete. As such, Harry shuffled through his backpack and all he could find was a couple of pencils and his homework packet.

What to do...

Harry glanced up furtively and lightly pulled on Hibari's shirt, then quickly retracting his hand in case Hibari would assault him for dirtying his person. When nothing happened, it was then that Harry opened his mouth. "Um, Mr. H, d-do you have an orange color pencil?"

Hibari turned to Harry and, perhaps a second later, he abruptly stood up and walked over to another teacher's desk, taking out a pack of color pencils from the drawer. After he handed it over to the child, he sat back down and continued his work.

"Thank you," Harry muttered, and began drawing.

Definitely, Hibari's non-responsive and stoic persona wasn't something that Harry was used to, but... at least it was better than those who would constantly hound him. Besides, Harry, admittedly, quite like this comforting silence and would most likely need it from time to time.

He peeked at Hibari again.

Yes, he could certainly get used to this.

Harry huffed, plopping on the sofa with his back hunched.

Growl.

He was so hungry, and there was still a hour or so before snack time. Thanks to Dudley, his lunch was ruined and seeing as the lunch break was nearly over, Harry couldn't get a second serving, so he was forced to relent.

"That fat pig," Harry muttered under his breath, glaring at Dudley's back. One day, he promised to himself, one day Harry would get revenge and make sure that Dudley could no longer bully him.

Oh, how he wish he would leave his relatives' house and never see them again.

Growl.

Harry rubbed his stomach, swallowing the saliva in his mouth a couple of times. He closed his eyes, picturing warm chicken soup in his mouth. And in his hands were two fat chicken wings as Harry happily munched on them, loving how tender and crispy it were. He would then ripped apart few packets of ketchup and squeezed it on top of the chicken wings before proceeding to sink his teeth into the nice, fat meat once again.

Harry began to drool.

Thwack.

"Ow!" Something dropped from his head and Harry looked down: a Hershey chocolate bar.

He looked around, wondering if it was Dudley trying to tempt with his food with the sole purpose of watching him suffer, but his pig of a cousin was nowhere in sight. In fact, he was snorting loudly with his friends (see, Harry always knew that Dudley was a pig- perhaps he was one in his previous lifetime).

Who could it be, though?

"Harry, go thank Mr. Hibari," Giotto stated, gesturing his head toward the kindergarten teacher that was currently walking away from them.

"Okay!" Harry get back, and ran up to the man before grabbing Hibari's hand and thanking him sincerely. "Thank you for the chocolate, Mr. H." Harry's eyes sparkled; it was a first for him to have someone other than his daddy to treat him this nicely.

"Your welcome." Hibari cocked his head, "Go eat it, before I take it away, herbivore."

Harry shoved the entire chocolate into his mouth.

And from then on, Harry would often hang out in the staff room next to Hibari. Whether it was in the morning before the bell rings or during lunch where he would stay within Hibari's vicinity or greeting his teacher farewell every time after dismissal, Harry gradually began to spend more and more time with the new kindergarten teacher.

In a way, he had gained a new friend; his second to be exact (his first friend would be his daddy, of course). And that had made him feel so giddy inside.

Harry looked up, swirling his head and when he caught Giotto's eyes, he smiled widely. 'Love you, best friend number one!' he mouthed, raising one finger.

Then he turned to Hibari, wanting to recite these words to him. But when Hibari turned to him, Harry suddenly felt shy. "Um, Mr. H, thank you f-for being my best friend number two."

"...Hn." Hibari stared at the small child beside him and looked away.

A tolerable herbivore.

At the very least, Hibari would call him that.