Chapter 14: Dangerous Deals
Alfred and Feliciano walked back after their detention with Umbridge. Feli was still crying and Alfred felt like it, but he wasn't going to give the toad the satisfaction. Italy was remembering the fall of Rome while America was remembering the Civil War. They were still in shock she found away to hurt them.
Neither could tell anybody or else the others could get hurt. Alfred was determined to protect Arthur, Matthew, Ludwig, and even Ivan from that toad. What kind of hero would he be if he let them get hurt? But he wasn't feeling like much of a hero right now. He felt guilty. It was his fault that Feliciano got hurt too.
"I'm sorry, Feli." he mumbled softly.
"Ve~ for-for what?" the Italian sniffled.
"For letting that toad torture you."
"That wasn't-a your fault." Italy scolded softly. "She was torturing you-a to. Should we tell Inghilterra?"
"No. We can't tell anybody." America replied flatly.
"Ve~ not even Luddy?"
"Not even him." Alfred agreed. "She'll hurt them too. We gotta be the heroes and protect them by keeping quiet."
"Me protect-a Luddy? I can't-a do that, I'm useless." Italy replied glumly.
"You're not useless. You make killer pizza and pasta and your pizzelles are good. You're an amazing artist. Plus you captured Iggy during World War II and I had to go save his ass."
Italy smiled. "Ve~ you're-a right. I also kept Turkey away when I was little." He thought for a moment. "Okay. If it keeps Luddy safe, then I'll keep quiet."
Italy dried his tears as they reached Gryffindor Tower. Alfred gave the password and they walked in. The common room was empty but that was probably because everybody was at dinner.
"Ve~ what spell is did she use?" Italy asked.
"Dunno. Iggy might know, but we can't ask him without him getting suspicious."
"Vhere is your bruder und Feliciano?" Germany asked Canada as the North American feed Kumajirou.
"I don't know, eh." he replied. "I'm worried about Al though."
"Vhy?"
"Because he's been acting a little out of character, eh." Matthew said. "He's been jumpy."
"Are you sure it's not him being bipolar as usual?" Ludwig asked.
"He can't help acting 'bipolar,' as you put it. You can't be the personification of a country with so many diverse people and not be a little on the bipolar side. His people and government are always arguing about something and it has a tendency to take its toll on his mood." Canada told the German. "Also he is literally related to everybody in the world. That means he contains a little of everyone's personalities. Don't tell him I told you that though."
"Vhy don't you vant him to know you told me that?"
"He may or may not be self-conscious about not having a completely unique history that doesn't involve other countries. And before you say 'What about the Native Americans?' let me tell you that he doesn't remember a whole lot about that. He represents America after Europeans started settling it just as I represent Canada after it was colonized. There may have been a nation personifying the Native American lands, but they're most likely not around anymore thanks to Europeans. And if they are, they've never made contact with us. If you want to talk about them, talk to Mexico. Spain didn't kill them off when he was forming his colonies like England did." Canada explained. "Actually, I know more about them than Alfred because of the French and Indian War. France made friends with the Native Americans and traded with them. England tried to ignore or kill them."
"Who are you?" Kumajirou asked.
Canada sighed. "I'm Matthew. You live my house. Remember?"
"The house Prussia breaks into?"
"Oui."
"Vait, vhat does it mean by mein bruder breaks into your house?" Germany asked.
"He says I make 'awesome' pancakes, so I occasionally wake up and find him in my kitchen. It's similar to how Alfred comes home and finds Rosa with her boots on his table." Canada explained. "No matter how many times I change the locks, he finds his way in, eh."
Finally, America plopped down next to Canada. Italy soon followed and sat next to Germany. Alfred absentmindedly picked at the sleeve on his bomber jacket while Feliciano started doodling on a napkin, neither bothering to get food.
"Vhat's vrong, Feli?" Ludwig asked.
""Ve~ niente. I'm just-a not hungry." the Italian replied.
If they watched closely, they could see his hand shaking. Both nations were rather pale and Feli lacked his usual smile. Arthur was even looking at them with concern. He glanced between Umbridge and the two, knowing she was the root of their strange behavior.
Canada and America were having a hushed argument about something but nobody knew about what because it was so quiet. Nobody even knew the obnoxious American was capable of speaking so softly. Though England could tell the American was trying to assure his northern brother that he was fine. But the Canadian wasn't buying it.
Arthur decided it was time to pay Allen a visit. If anyone knew what the American was hiding, he would. The 2Ps had a nasty habit of spying on their counterparts.
"What do I own the pleasure, Artie?" Oliver asked.
"I need to speak with Allen. Now." Arthur replied. "I don't have time for games, Oliver."
Oliver disappeared. He returned a moment later with 2P America. Allen was carrying his baseball bat, complete with fresh nails and suspicious red stains. Needless to say, Alfred's counterpart wasn't in a pleasant mood. Then again, when was he?
"What the fuck do you want?" Allen growled.
"I need to speak with you about Alfred. He's been acting strangely and I was wondering if you knew anything." Arthur explained. "Knowing him, I won't get the truth from him."
"And what the hell makes you think I know anything?" the 2P demanded.
"It's no secret that your kind is always bloody watching ours. I was just wondering if you noticed anything off." England replied. "It may have something to do with a toad like woman in a hideous about of pink that would make our Poland die."
The other American cracked a smile in spite of himself. He heard Felic's gripping many times about how Feliks wore a lot of pink.
"Can't say I have. Wouldn't by any chance be the fucking bitch Lucino nearly killed, would it?" he asked.
"That's the one." England confirmed. "It appears she's been torturing him and she just started torturing Feliciano."
"That's fucking wonderful. Now I'm going to have to listen to my Italy bitch about that." the 2P growled. "And only I can torture that burger eating bastard. Fine, I'll help. But I'm not happy about it. And you won't be allowed to interfere next time I decide to visit my counterpart's dreams. Understand?"
"Yes." Arthur hesitantly agreed, telling himself to cast a spell on his former colony later.
"Good." Allen said. "I'll get that information for you one way or another."
The American disappeared. As England closed the curtain, he could hear Oliver screaming at Allen for his foul language. Arthur knew the 2P America only did it to piss off 2P England.
The island nation didn't like how Allen ended the conversation. He started to fear for his former colony's safety. Because having the 2P magic trio start messing with dreams eventually lead to a game. And people got seriously hurt in those.
I'm being seriously mean to America and Italy, but I tend tend to do that to my favorite characters. Pizzelles are Italian cookies that look like waffles. You even have to use a pizzelle iron to make them. I also put my theory one Native America in there. Also, I explained why America is sometimes so moody. And the Prussia breaking into Canada's house will be important later. If you see any mistakes, tell me and I'll correct them. Thank you so much to my reviewers and followers. I don't own Hetalia or Harry Potter.