Japanese Vacation

Chapter 22

The Fight Before the Storm

Hermione resolutely turned back to her sandwich, the researcher in her wanting to go and grab one of them to study.

Draco frowned. "That shouldn't be possible. Maybe he's part mushroom?" He was stretching it, but he'd seen stranger things. The blast ended skewts for one.

Haruhi shrugged finishing her food. "watch this." Hs straightened up a bit and looked at Tamaki. "Tamaki-sempai, I'm sorry I just was not expecting you to come right up to us. I'm not mad at you but please let us eat in peace."

As if nothing happened, Tamaki stood up with a smile, all the mushrooms disappearing. He sat down next to Kyouya and continued to eat his own food.

All of the Hogwarts students blinked, mouths gaping slightly (even Draco's).

Hermione now wanted more than anything to study those mushrooms. They had to be magical in nature, but, if they were, then it was something that had never been seen before, as she'd never heard anything like it.

Harry just shook his head and turned back to his food. Never again would he say that Hogwarts was strange.

--

"How?" Draco asked.

Haruhi laughed a bit at Draco's reaction. "No idea."

The others continued eating except for Nekozawa who was giving Tamaki a confused stare before going back to his food.

Draco shook of the strangeness of the situation and finished not long after. "Anything else you would like to do?" he asked.

Haruhi thought for a moment, "Not that I can think of."

Draco nodded. "Well, we can always return if you think of something." He glanced back at the rest of the group and winced slightly. "Ready to meet up with them?

"If you want to, no rush." Haruhi laughed looking at the group.

Draco seemed to relax slightly. "So, how did you end up going to Ouran?"

Haruhi thought for a moment. "Well I'm there on a scholarship; I did really good back in middle school and ended up filling out the papers myself." She shrugged. "How'd you end up at Hogwarts?"

--

"Well," Harry said. "This is the Wizarding World. Congratulations, you're the first muggles without Wizarding relations to experience it."

The group laughed a bit.

"Well thank you for inviting us." Kaoru and Hikaru said together.

The others only nodded while Nekozawa smiled to Hermione and nodded as well.

Hermione smiled back. It had only been fair that she invite him along.

Harry shrugged. "Well, it was better than you all thinking that we were part of the green witches with warts on their noses." He laughed a bit.

The Hitachiins laughed with a nod.

--

"I was on the list since birth. My whole family has been for generations," he shrugged. "That's just the way it is, if you're a witch or wizard you get the invitation."

"Hm." She leaned her head on her hand. "That's interesting. So what happens if someone is born without powers? Assuming that has ever happened."

"They're called a squib, and end up leaving the Wizarding World for the muggle one. Some families get rid of the child before it grows, and it never knows about us." It was said with such ease, as if there was nothing strange about that.

"That's horrible..." Haruhi looked down at her plate.

Draco blinked. "Would you want to grow up with brothers and sisters that could do magic while you knew that you'd never be able to? It's considered being merciful. They used to just kill them."

Draco shrugged. "Squibs have been known to become resentful of their families and their own inability to perform magic."

"But still!" She stood up with her palms on the table. "It's not right to throw away your child like a defective toy!" She could feel anger rising in the pit of her stomach. How can anyone talk so easily about giving away their children? It's just not right!

Across the café, the Hogwarts students jumped, turning toward Haruhi and Draco.

Draco felt his lips purse as he stood as well. "I would not expect a muggle to understand our ways," he sneered, finally getting upset.

Haruhi raised her hand and quickly smacked Draco. "I may be a muggle but," She stopped straightening up. "Only a cruel, or very ignorant, person would be able to talk about something like that and not care!"

Draco's eyes immediately cooled, and he straightened as well, looking very much like his father only hours before. "Do not judge what you do not understand Fujioka-san, as it will gain you many enemies in life." With that Draco spun on his heel and stormed away, his cheek reddening where she had slapped him.

"Good luck finding your way back to the apartment Malfoy-baka!" She yelled after him leaving the restaurant and began to head back to the school then back to her home, slamming the door as she went and kicking her shoes off. After noticing that the note was still on the tv she ripped it down and stormed into her room, again slamming the door.

--

"Oh that's not good." The Hitachiins jumped up watching the two leave.

"Someone should find Malfoy-chan before something happens."

Hermione and the twins both looked to Harry.

"Why me?"

"You're in charge," the Fred said.

"And he wont take kindly to me going after him," George continued.

"Like he'll appreciate me," Harry grumbled, but stood to go after Draco. "If I'm not back in an hour send someone after us and make funeral arrangements," he said, heading out after Draco.

"I wonder what happened," Hermione said.

Tamaki was near frozen. "I've never seen Haruhi so upset before."

Nekozawa stood and walked to the table the two had been at, stooping down he picked up the bag Haruhi had accidentally left behind. "She left this as well." He picked up the blue and silver material. "Oh my…these look expensive…"

The twins gaped, eyes wide. "He bought her Quidditch robes."

"Custom Quidditch robes."

Hermione could keep from gaping either. "Even I know that those aren't cheap."

Nekozawa placed the robes back in the bag and shook his head.

The Hitachiins looked around. "Maybe we should all call it a day." Kaoru picked up his cell phone and noticed that it did work where they were. He quickly called Haruhi's phone but got no answer. "She's not answering her phone…"

Fred frowned. "That's not good."

"If there's one thing we've learned it's to never let a girl simmer after they've gotten angry."

"It only makes things worse."

Kaoru nodded and tried again only for it to go straight to voice mail. "And now she turned it off…"

Both Fred and George, though they really didn't know that much about phones, winced. That didn't sound good.

--

Harry followed after Draco fairly easily with the people staring after the angry young man.

"What did you do this time, Malfoy," Harry demanded when he caught up. Though, on hindsight, it probably wasn't the best opening sentence he could have used.

"Go away, Potter," Draco growled.

"Can't do that, Malfoy," Harry said, sounding rather put out about the idea. "See, Dumbledore put me in charge, that means I have to deal with everyone's hissy fits. Unfortunately, that includes yours."

Why was he saying this? He was only making things worse.

"I don't need your help, Potter."

"You're going to have to meet up with her again," Harry said, instead of answering Draco's comment.

No reply.

"What did you guys argue about anyway?"

"Squibs."

Harry blinked. "What?"

"We were talking about squibs," Draco growled. "She didn't like that we give them to the muggle world. It's better than killing them."

Harry blinked. "I suppose," he said.

"Just who does she think she is?" Draco demanded. "She's here for one day, and already she's making judgments. This is why muggles shouldn't know about us!"

"Okay," Harry said slowly. "This is just one thing, Malfoy. And you've got to stay with her for a while. Wouldn't it be better to . . . make peace?"

"Malfoy's don't apologize."

Harry sighed. "Well, maybe you should make an exception this once," Harry said, not looking at Draco.

"Why should I, Potter?"

"Because things can be very awkward around Fujioka if you don't. And since you have to stay with her, it's best if things are at least calm."

"Is that why you forgave Ohtori?" Draco sneered.

"No," Harry turned to look at Draco. "I forgave him because he apologized. Or as much of one as I'm sure to ever get."

Draco frowned.

"Alright, look," Harry said, one of his hands coming up to rub the back of his neck. "I know I'm crap at this. But, you seemed to like her."

"I do not, Potter,"

Harry frowned at Draco. "Were you or were you not being her friend?"

Draco blinked. "I was being nice."

"Exactly. And, friends sometimes have to apologize. And, I'd do it soon."

Harry shrugged then and walked away, leaving Draco to stare after him.

--

Hermione stood just outside the restaurant, waiting for Harry. She wasn't exactly worried, but she wasn't exactly not either. Those two never had gotten along.

Nekozawa stood next to Hermione, both their bags and Haruhi's in his left hand while his right rested on Hermione's shoulder.

Several minutes passed before Harry came back into view, looking none the worse for wear.

"Well?" Hermione asked when he got closer.

Harry shrugged. "I think he was calmer."

"So where is he?"

"Thinking," Harry said. "He should be along shortly."

Hikaru looked at Harry, hoping he would understand better then the others had. "Haruhi-chan turned her phone off…"

"Oh god," Harry sighed. "Malfoy's certainly going to have his work cut out for him," he said, his eyes closed.

"So what happened?" Hermione asked.

Harry shook his head. "That's between them."

The others shrugged.

Nekozawa looked down at the bags, seeing the blue material peek out. "I hope Malfoy-chan isn't too upset she accidentally left these here…"

Harry frowned. "What is it?"

"Quidditch robes," George said.

"Custom ones."

Harry blinked, jaw dropping. "You're joking me?"

The twins shook their heads.

Harry shook his head. "We can only hope that he remembers that she was as angry as he was."

The others nodded as they all looked around.

"Mori and I have to get home… bye guys!" Huni and Mori both waved as they walked back, Mori remembering where they had to go.

The Hitachiin twins looked at each other. "Uh… are we going to have to take him back to Haruhi's place?"

"A ride would be appreciated," Draco said from behind them, his voice still rather cool.

Even Harry jumped, not expecting Draco to be back yet.

Hikaru sighed as Kaoru nodded. "Alright…"

Nekozawa held out the one bag. "She was pretty angry too…"

Tamaki nodded. "I've never seen her so upset…"

Draco took the bag with a nod at Nekozawa. "Shall we go then?"

Harry blinked when Hermione gave him a small push and sighed. "Don't go all Ice Prince on her, Malfoy. I really don't think that will help anything."

Draco just hitched an eyebrow at Harry and didn't say anything. Harry rolled his eyes.

"Fine, whatever," he turned to Kyouya. "Can we go now?"

"I'll see you later, Harry," Hermione said, giving him a quick hug, which Harry stiffly returned.

Kyouya nodded and lead the way.

Tamaki looked at the Weasley twins.

"Bye everyone," Harry said, waving at them all.

"See you tomorrow, Harry," Fred and George said, before turning to Tamaki.

Tamaki nodded and lead the way back to the car.

Hermione sighed. "I'm ready whenever you are," Hermione said, turning to Nekozawa. This was the worst way to end the day.

Nekozawa nodded.

Draco just waited for his ride to decide to leave.

The Hitachiin's looked at Draco and both sighed. "Lets go."

"Can't let Haruhi be alone much…" Hiakru stopped as he heard a roll of thunder and looked at his twin.

"We have to get there now." They both grabbed one of Draco's arms as rain began to fall from the sky.

Draco's cool look vanished as he was suddenly yanked along. "What?" he managed to yelp out.

The two nearly ran to the car and when they got there they all but threw Draco into the back, following him.

"Haruhi-chan's terrified of thunderstorms…" Hikaru banged on the drivers window as he started the car. "To Haruhi-chans! And make it quick!"

Draco blinked. He hadn't expected that. Though he supposed that it made more sense than them not wanting to get wet.

--

Hermione pulled her robe up over her head to avoid the rain.

Nekozawa pulled his own robe off of him and placed it over Hermione's head, while he motioned for the driver to start the car.

Hermione smiled up at Nekozawa. "What about you?" she asked.

Nekozawa shook his head as they arrived at the car and he opened the door for her. Hermione quickly climbed in so that Nekozawa could get in out of the rain.

Nekozawa shut the door and ran around to the other sliding in. "Home please." He quickly buckled himself in as the driver started off towards home.

--

Harry didn't even flinch as it began to rain. He was used to worse than this while playing Quidditch. As they approached the car, Kyouya opened the car door for Harry.

Harry climbed in. "Thanks," he said.

Kyouya nodded and climbed in behind him snapping the door shut. "Home." He told the driver who nodded and started the car.

--

Soon the twins were pulling up to Haruhi's apartment building and they shoved Draco out. "You both better be at school tomorrow."

Draco stumbled, turning briefly to toss the twins a glare before heading upstairs.

Haruhi had been out looking at a few things in the livingroom when she heard the first bit of thunder and hid under the table, which was where she was even now.

Draco opened the door and pulled off his shoes, setting the bag down by the door. Silently he listened, wondering where Haruhi had went.

Thunder clapped again.

Haruhi jumped a bit, hitting her head on the table from underneath but still she held her ears.

Draco's head turned toward the living room. "Fujioka-chan?" he called as he approached, his earlier anger dissipating.

There was a soft whimper that came from the living room just loud enough for Draco to hear. Draco quickened his pace. Once in the living room he glanced around. At not seeing her, he squatted down to see under the table. Then, he crawled forward.

"Fujioka-chan?" he called again, extending a hand to rest on her shoulder.

Haruhi jumped looking at Draco, her eyes filled with fear. "I...It's nothing….. Just go to bed I'll be fine….." Even as she spoke her body trembled.

Draco shook his head negatively. "No. I don't leave my true friends when they need me."

I have too few of them to do that

Haruhi continued to shake as she looked into his eyes. "I'm…. sor-" She was interrupted by a roar of thunder that made her jump yet again, this time not hitting her head.

"It's okay," Draco said, a soft smile on his lips. "Here," He reached both arms out to pull her out from under the table. All that hitting her head could give her a concussion . . . and the twins would probably kill him if Haruhi wasn't in school tomorrow.

Haruhi reached out, moving to come out from under the table when thunder clapped and she jumped into Draco's arms.

Draco's arms tightened around Haruhi, a little surprised at how fast she had come at him.

"It's okay," Draco said, rocking slightly. After a moment he spoke up again. "What's the main problem with the thunder?" his voice was quiet not wanting her to think that he was ridiculing her.

Shaking, she only shook her head. "I…don't know…"

He frowned slightly, looking around the living room, trying to find a way to help. She tended to jump whenever the thunder clapped, speaking of which there it went again. His arms tightened around her once more.

So, something to take care of the sound. Noise . . . the television was noisy. And so was the . . . Radio, at least, that's what he thought Granger had called it.

He spotted one near the television. It might be enough.

"I'll be right back," he whispered, standing and moving over, fumbling a moment before managing to turn it on, and turning it up, hoping to drown out the sound. Then, he was back with Haruhi.

Haruhi focused on the music and soon found herself relaxing. "Thank you…." She still shook but not as bad as she had been.

Draco nodded, his chin resting lightly on her head. "It won't last forever," Draco said. "The storm. Everything has an end."

Haruhi nodded, clinging to the front of Draco's robes. "I'm sorry for what I said… you're not cruel…or ignorant…."

"It's alright," Draco replied. "Everyone says things they don't mean occasionally. It's best to just . . . forget about them." He glanced up at the window, seeing the occasional flash streak across the sky.

As she finally calmed down she suddenly snapped her head up to look at Draco. "Please tell me someone grabbed my bag!"

Draco jerked back slightly, to avoid getting his chin hit, and nodded. "It was remembered; it's sitting by the door. It was figured that you hadn't meant to forget it."

Haruhi nodded and rested her head on his chest not thinking and relaxed. "Thank you…"

"You're welcome,"

--

Harry stared out the window, watching the rain drip down the window, and, now that things had finally calmed down, allowed himself to think. The topic was the recent mobbing. Of all the things he had expected, that had not been one of them. He didn't even know why they'd done it. It couldn't have been for defeating Voldemort, could it? After all, Voldemort had stayed to England and, as far as he knew, had never even looked at Japan. So why was he famous here?

It was something to look into.

--

Allanasha Ke Kiri: Heya everyone. I know I said that the next chapter would be coming soon but … well, obviously it didn't. At least you didn't have to wait 4 months for an update though … like some of my other readers … (winces) ANYWAY!!! … here's your next chapter. And I hope you've enjoyed it ^_^