Wow! I'm so pleased with all my reviewers. I want to thank you for your kindness and patience at the wait on updates.
Disclaimer: I do not own Death Note or Harry Potter...if I did, then L would be stalking Harry as well as Kira.
The Opening
Harry flushed lightly at seeing Ryuzaki on the stoop. "H-Hello, Ryuzaki…come on in." Harry blushed once more before stepping back, allowing the man to step inside. "I just got done with it. Tell me what you think, okay?"
Ryuzaki looked around with interest. Last time he was here, he didn't get much a chance to see the inside, as there were more important things to look at (the cakes and Haruhi). But, as he was looking now, he could see that the place was tastefully decorated with cozy looking booths and chairs for those who decided to eat at the bakery. There were also bookshelves full of books, for those who wanted a quiet read while they waited on their orders.
Harry, noticing that Ryuzaki was looking around from where he was standing, smiled nervously. "I figured I could get more profit if I sold teas and coffees as well as cake, and had the place more like a café."
Ryuzaki turned back to Haruhi once more, giving him a pleased look. "You will do very well. The decorations are something that both adults and adolescences will enjoy."
Harry turned to get the cake, in an attempt to hide his blush before giving the detective a small smile. "Your encouragement means much to me…now, why don't you sit at a booth? It'll be more comfortable to talk sitting, and you can try my cake."
Ryuzaki blinked before obediently crouching in a nearby booth as Harry brought the cake and some silverware over. Harry, noticing his sitting position, blinked, but did not say anything. After all, there are other habits some people have that are considerably more bizarre. Who was he to dictate how another person sat? Instead, he busied himself in cutting a slice for his new friend.
Surprised by a lack of incredulity that most people reacted with whenever they saw him sitting, he found himself liking Harry more and more. It was nigh impossible to find another person who wasn't bothered by his actions.
It was as Harry was cutting the cake, though, that he frowned, noticing a blemish on Harry's hand. Like lightening, his hand reached out to grasp Harry's wrist, pulling it under his scrutinizing gaze.
Ryuzaki frowned once more. "Haruhi….who gave you these scars? 'I will not tell lies'?" Harry blinked, trying to gain the use of his hand back to no avail.
"N-No one…It's okay, Ryuzaki. The person is in jail." With that, Harry tugged his wrist out of Ryuzaki's grip, and placed the cake slice in front of him.
Seeing that Haruhi wouldn't budge, Ryuzaki let the subject drop for today, not wanting to get into a possible fight with the one person he wanted to court. He needed Haruhi to see that, though he can provide for (and protect) him, Ryuzaki also wouldn't push and be overbearing in his attempts.
'After I leave,' the detective promised himself. 'After I leave, I'll look into who could have possibly hurt him.'
It was after nearly two hours of talking and a "getting to know you" session that L finally had to tear himself from Haruhi's presence.
"I enjoyed your cake very much. I'll be sure to buy all my cakes here now," L said, stepping out of the bakery with a box holding the rest of his cake. Smiling, Harry stepped out, seeing him off.
"If you ever need anything for any business meetings or for a gathering, I can also make these cakes as individual servings," Harry added.
They stared at each other a moment before L quickly muttered a 'goodbye,' and left. Harry stayed, watching as he left into the distance.
~~~Scene Change~~~
The next day proved to be hectic for Harry. It was the official opening of his shop and, so far, has been drawing a large crowd. It was a crowd large enough that, if L had been there, Light would not have had to be worried about attracting the detective's suspicious attention.
As such, L was not there, though Light just assumed that L would come later when he was finished interrogating Misa once more, and Light would be able to finally get a glimpse of who could have possibly met L.
The length of the line slowly shortened until Light was able to get a clear view of the owner of the bakery. And…surprisingly enough, did not fit any of Light's expectations.
Perhaps spending time around L had skewed his perception…after all, after spending any amount of time with L, one starts to understand why not wearing socks could be advantageous. They cling almost uncomfortably to the foot and- but no…he was drifting, and had almost forgotten the reason for coming here to begin with…
Stepping up to the counter he ordered a green tea before taking in the owner's appearance. Funny, he imagined that L would only be interested in another person if that person had the same personality as L himself. He imagined that the person would have had unkempt hair, and bland clothing choice.
But I suppose even L can have some good choices in people who are aesthetically pleasing, Light humbled to himself. When I become God of the new world, I shall crush L more by stealing this person's affections away from him, and then I shall kill L…. No, maybe it would be more satisfying if I kept L alive, just so he could see every single day that the person he likes has fallen in love with me.
Seeing as no one had come up behind him wanting to order, Light allowed a charming smile to appear on his face. "Well," he began, "you seem to be getting a good bit of business on your first day,"- here he took a glance at the person's nametag- "Haruhi."
Said person flushed a little, and scratched the back of his head bashfully. "Ah… To be perfectly honest, I did not think that I'd be this popular on the first day. I thought it would take longer for news to spread and such." Harry could only silently thank the gods that he was able to find his book on translation spells, and was able to successfully cast one on himself. So far, he would only have it on when doing business, or doing monetary transaction, not wanting his natural study of the language to be hindered.
Light smiled a tad more brightly, "Well, you have no reason to be so modest." Light paused before looking slightly concerned. "You have not really had much time to tour around you, have you. Well, if you'd like, I might be able to give you a guided tour when you have a chance."
Haruhi opened his mouth, about to say that he wasn't really about to go out with strangers, but Light continued, "See, I actually came to meet you, because a friend of mine told me about you…You know Ryuzaki, yes?"
Haruhi blushed a little at the name of his friend, "Yes….it is hard to forget about one such as Ryuzaki." Light's eyes narrowed slightly, close to letting Kira shine through. But he contained himself. Haruhi did not seem to notice the change.
"Ah, see? We can help you become more familiar with this area." Haruhi gave him a grateful smile. "I would appreciate that."
Light just smiled before taking a sip of his tea.
~~~Scene Change~~~
Later that night, Haruhi was sweeping up the remaining spilled crumbs and dust when he heard someone knocking on the door in the rhythmic pattern of 'Claire de la Lune'. Haruhi smiled, and hurried to open the door.
"Luna!" He exclaimed, happy at seeing one of his old friends again.
Stepping aside to let her in, he began firing questions at her, what had she been doing up until now? Where did she travel? Rolling her eyes, she squeezed his arm before shushing him. "I brought something back for you, if you'll give me the chance to show you, Harry."
He blinked, not quite sure if he wanted to accept something from her or not. Last time she gave him something, Puffskeins somehow became attracted to his presence. It was really wasn't noticeable whenever he was moving about, but, once, he woke up from a nap only to find himself covered head-to-toe in the furry creatures.
"Er…sure…I think." Ignoring his comment, Luna dug into one of her bags before thrusting a small package into his hand. "Here, and don't drop it. It can be fragile."
Haruhi fumbled with the object a moment before slowly unwrapping it. Holding it up with two fingers, he watched curiously as the crystals glinted dully in the artificial light. "Not that I'm happy or anything, Lu, but…what is it exactly?" Luna smiled indulgently at him, as if the question was coming from a child. "It's a necklace, Harry."
Haruhi gave her a mock glare, "Don't be cute. Yeah, I know that, but usually, when you give gifts, they have something attached."
Luna gave him an unusually sad smile. He was referring to the scrying pendant she gave him a few months before the Final Battle. It was because of that particular gift that Hermione was still alive. It was ironic, Harry thought melancholic, that something 'mione lumped with the Divination Arts actually saved her. Ever since, Hermione never badmouthed the art of Divination.
Seeing Harry drift in his thoughts, Luna spoke up, breaking him from his memories. "In a way you're right…you see the clear crystals Harry? They are called Herkimer Diamonds, and they are supposed to help wash away bad energy. Cleansing you. The pale white ones are called Selenite…a type of protection stone that can be used for healing, as well."
Haruhi gazed at the necklace in awe of the amount of time Luna put into making the necklace for him. It was obvious that she had to travel to different places just to find the stones. But, to then make the necklace with her bare hands? It would be a present that he would always treasure.
With care, Haruhi unclasped the thin chain, and placed it around his neck. It settled against his chest, and he smiled. "Thank you, Luna."
Luna, reached out to take his hand in hers, and squeezed it. "Don't thank me, Harry…I couldn't see what would happen, but I get the feeling that you'll need it." Harry nodded, knowing to trust her on her feelings.
"So...what exactly have you been doing until arriving in Japan?" Haruhi asked curiously. Luna settled down in a chair, getting comfortable before describing her projects.
"For the past year, I've been travelling throughout Africa.. Starting from the North, and then heading down to the South. I was researching the habits of Whiffleflies and trying to look for the ever-elusive Grumblesnork. My father received word that their mating habits were approaching. It was when I was in South Africa that I received you call."
Harry blinked at the odd words, but gave the equivalent of a mental shrug, used to Luna's personality. "So, what will you be doing now that you're here? I hope you know that I really didn't mean to drag you away from your work."
Luna smiled, "No, but I had timed my travels so that I would be ready to research in Japan whenever you called." She nodded seriously, "I hope you know I've been waiting for the call for almost a week."
Harry frowned. "You knew that I'd be having dream problems?" In answer, Luna just handed him another item. This time it was a dream catcher.
"Your dreams won't haunt you, as long as you keep it above your bed. Keep in mind that, once you're at peace with what happened in the past, you won't need it quite so much."
Harry gave her a hug, unable to express his gratitude through words. After pulling away, Harry sat back in his own chair. "How long will you stay before going off to do your research?"
Luna tilted her head in thought. "I shall be leaving for Wakkanai tomorrow, after lunch. I shall work my way down to Kagoshima through out the months. After I'm done, I shall come back to give you an update on my findings before heading back home to work on the Quibbler."
Harry sighed, not liking that she'd be leaving so soon and on her own. But, she's been doing this in Africa, and he knew that she'd mirror call him if she needed anything.
"Well, I insist you sleep here for the night, then. Also, be careful. I've heard too many reports of heart attacks from Kira."
~~~Scene Change~~~
The night passed too fast for Harry's liking, when he woke up from the couch, having offered Luna the use of his bed. The morning, too, seemed to have passed unusually fast as he helped Luna pack up her things, before heading to his kitchen to make some snacks for her. It was only about a half hour after Luna left, that he heard a knock on the door.
As it was Sunday, and his shop was closed that day, Harry could only wonder about who would be at the door. Opening the door, Harry blinked, wondering what he was doing here. "Yes?"
Author's Notes: Ha! Any guesses on who that could be? Oh how I love suspense. XD Anyways, yeah.. I know it's a little short. But, I really wanted to have something posted for you readers rather than have you wait longer. Because of my haste, this has not been read by a beta. I double-checked this story, though, and did not see any errors. Hopefully you've enjoyed this chapter as much as the other ones. Also.. feels like I rushed Luna's scene a little.. Well, there's an important scene coming up in the next chapter, and it wouldn't work if Luna was still there.
ps: I giggled at the thought of 'L' and 'courting' in the same sentence. Aren't they so cute together?
Whiffleflies: Small, flying creatures that tend to inhabit dry places. They are also the reason why some soil can't support plant life very well.
Grumblesnorks: An animal that's closely related to the Hippopotamus. In fact, muggles often get the Hippopotamus and Grumblesnorks confused. The biggest difference between them, really, are that Grumblesnorks are able to become invisible and hide their scent from other predators.