Disclaimer: D. Gray-man and Harry Potter and their characters do not belong to myself or Azhwi. They are the property of Hoshino Katsura-san and J. K. Rowling, and all associated thus.
By the same token, this story does not belong to anyone else, and as such, any elements not associated with Harry Potter or D. Gray-man are by proxy mine and my co-writer's to do with as we please. Do not take and reuse, redistribute or warp in any manner. Thank you.
The Depths We Will Go To
Part 1: Harry Potter Had it Easy
Chapter 7: The Final Accommodator
Fandom: D. Gray-man x Harry Potter
Characters: Kanda, Allen, Albus, Scorpius, James, Rose, Lily, mentions of others
Summary: Secrets are revealed and Albus gets beat up. A lot. To be fair, he deserves it.
Warning: Violence, language, shonen ai
Rating: T
Written by: Azhwi and Lost to the Hoping
We take no responsibility for any cringing/wincing/whimpering in sympathy. Also- no idiots were actually harmed through the duration of this chapter. Thank you!
When Scorpius opened the door to the Room of Requirement, he was clearly unsurprised to find that his greeting was met with a flat stare and a curiosity-tinged smile. Kanda was unreadable. Still, he stepped aside, letting them in.
It was the usual dojo they used, but there was one very odd difference. While Allen and Kanda were well aware that Albus tended to lurk when they met with Scorpius - almost every time, in fact - the boy had not ever revealed himself. It was mutual knowledge that everyone knew he was there, yet Albus had preferred to pretend he was secret.
Thus, when they entered the room, it was with some small surprise that they found the younger Potter boy fidgeting near the back of the room, uncloaked. He was twisting something shiny in his hands, but Allen couldn't really get a good look at it.
When the boy didn't so much as look at them, however, Allen turned his gaze onto Scorpius. "What is this about?" he asked, as this boy had been the one to call them here. He'd claimed to have important information, but refused to be more clear on the matter.
"I told him to call you here," Albus replied quietly.
It was faintly disturbing to see Kanda's face drop all expression, but James didn't stick around to puzzle it out. He gave the Japanese man a small smile and crossed the room to stand by his brother. 'I'm here,' he said by placing a hand on Albus' shoulder. James squeezed once and turned to face the exorcists. 'And here, I'll stay.'
Albus nodded and straightened his spine, looking up to meet Kanda's gaze. "I'm the one you're looking for."
Kanda's eyes flickered from the younger brother to the older. Then over to Scorpius. Finally, it cut over to Allen.
The other exorcist shrugged and sighed. "No killing, BaKanda."
James held his breath at the reminder and then forgot he needed the air when Kanda glanced back at him. Without changing expression the Japanese slid his attention back to Albus, whom had pressed his coin into James' hand.
"You have ten seconds to prepare yourself," Kanda told the boy calmly as he pulled Mugen in its saya from his belt and handed it off to Allen who stepped back to the wall. "And then I'm going to kick your fucking ass."
"Go stand with Scorpius, James," Albus ordered flatly. The only thing he could think was 'this is really gonna hurt'.
Scorpius' brow furrowed, but Albus had already told him to stay out of it, so he just watched... and waited.
Seven seconds later, James cringed. Three seconds after that, he frowned. Five seconds further on, he winced. He shifted closer to Malfoy. "At least he's not crippling my brother for life..."
"Yet," was the bland reply.
Long story short, ten minutes later, Albus was laid out on the floor, with probably a couple broken ribs (his nose was pretty broken too). The worst Kanda had to show for it was a bruise on his arm that would be gone in moments anyway.
When the Japanese male stepped back finally, Scorpius frowned with worry. "You didn't knock him out, did you? Least, not from a head wound? Because that would mean a concussion and I just realized I didn't bring a tonic for that."
Allen blinked and looked at him. "You brought tonics?"
There was a snort from Kanda. "Someone does think in this school," he said, picking up his robe.
"No headshots," James confirmed. He was a little more used to following Kanda's moves. Scorpius was probably more used to dodging them. "Albus? You with us?"
The only answer was a tired grunt, but Scorpius looked relieved. "Can you get up?" Albus groaned, and the Malfoy rolled his eyes. "Broken bones?"
"Mmhm."
"You want me to help?"
"No."
Scorpius rolled his eyes. He had never in his life met anyone else that could put that much pride into a single syllable. Especially when injured. "Just let me help, Albus."
Meanwhile, James was watching Kanda take Mugen back from Allen. "Is that over now?" At Kanda's flat look, he extrapolated, "No more hard feelings between you and Albus, I mean."
"None over his silence," Kanda replied stonily, then turned on his heel and left the room.
Albus groaned. I hate that guy, he thought uncharitably, then sighed and let Scorpius help him up. Though, if he were perfectly honest with himself, that was kind of one beating he had coming. I also hate being honest with myself... ouch.
"Come on, here," Scorpius said. He held up a bottle of skelegro. "Stop pouting, and just a sip."
"Uhg." Albus grabbed the bottle with a wince (Scorpius rolled his eyes again), and the boy took a sip as ordered. Then he lifted his gaze to Allen, frowning.
The one exorcist in the room was leaning against the wall, legs crossed at the ankles, hands clasped behind his head. His eyes at half-mast, Allen only exuded polite interest. "Yes?" he asked with a neutral smile.
For some reason, Albus was abruptly reminded that it was this guy, and not the other, that had been put in Slytherin. Allen was always so damn polite and smiling that the Gryffindor tended to forget that he wasn't one of their own.
Had he been any other person in the world, Albus may have thought twice about opening his mouth. However, he had Weasley blood in him; there just wasn't a filter. "Just wondering what's next," the darker haired youth replied.
The smile dropped away and Allen pushed up off the wall to stalk over. "Months Potter. Three long, frustrating months." The white-haired boy stood over Albus. "You knew about us within four weeks." His grey eyes narrowed as his hands clenched. "You know first hand what an akuma is, what they do."
James took a step forward, hand outstretched. Albus can't take anymore of a beating tonight...
Allen closed his eyes and took a deep breath. When he opened them again, the smile was back. "We leave for headquarters, Potter. That is what's next." Then he too, turned and walked away.
Albus sat there on the floor in the sudden silence of the room for a very long moment. Then he carefully pushed himself to his feet. "Guess this is it, then," he said softly, and looked at Scorpius first, then his brother. He swallowed, feeling a little lost. But he'd decided to do this, right? Just so that Rose and James, his parents, his family wouldn't have to worry about any of it.
Still, his heart hurt at the thought. Not seeing any of them for a while, possibly ever, if his assumptions were correct.
"Albus?" Scorpius asked, letting the other boy pull away from him.
"We should grab the essentials. I don't think we'll be able to bring much," Albus replied, and walked stiffly past his brother. He couldn't do goodbyes. He wouldn't be able to look James in the eye...
There was a sigh from the older Potter. "You're not thinking, Albus," James said. "You'd be surprised how much you can take when you can shrink your luggage bags. Also, baby brother?"
Albus stopped, swallowing. "Yeah?" he asked after a minute.
"You forgot your coin."
Oh shit, Albus thought with a grimace, and turned around. He held out his hand wordlessly, eyes downcast.
"Hmm." James shook his head and tucked the coin into his breast pocket where things were spelled not to fall out. "Maybe I'll hold onto it until we reach 'headquarters'. You're kinda out of it."
Startled green eyes finally lifted. "W-wait... what? We?" he echoed, a bit dumbly.
"You didn't tell him?" Scorpius asked, exasperated.
Smirking, James hummed again. "Did he really think he could leave me behind?"
"What?" Albus repeated, eyes wide.
Scorpius sighed. "I suppose he probably deserved it, but that was cruel." He smirked at the taller boy. "He's coming with us, Albus."
Albus just blinked at them dumbly.
"No, Scorpius," James' smile turned sad. "What is cruel is that my brother did not tell me anything of tonight. He would not have said good bye." Reaching out, he brushed fingertips through Albus' sweaty bangs. "And that hurts me. So I'm keeping his coin for a while. Just so I know, for sure, that he won't just leave me behind without at least a willing word. Can you understand that, Albus?"
Albus' eyes lowered, in guilt, in shame... "I understand," he said softly. "I... I'm sorry."
The older brother stood gazing down at his sibling for a long moment. "Scorpius," he said, eyes still on Albus. "Please tell your sister good bye."
Scorpius looked up at the older boy, glanced at Albus and nodded. "Okay," he murmured. "I'll see you later, Albus." He hurried off.
Waiting until the door thudded closed behind Malfoy, James sighed and reached out, pulling his brother into a loose embrace. "You stupid, stubborn, prideful fool."
Shoulders shaking, Albus grabbed his brother back in a somewhat return of the hug as he sobbed softly. He could be prideful and stubborn and stupid later. Right now, the only thing in the world he wanted to do was cry like a dumb little boy.
xXx
"Rose?"
The Gryffindor girl paused, having been about to head out of her room toward the bathroom. She now stood in the doorway, staring at her cousin leaning against the opposite wall. Her mouth pulled into a frown. "Albus, this is the girls' side. You're not suppose to be here!" she scolded.
"Sorry. It's important, Rose," he replied, sighing. "Can you wake Lily?"
Rose frowned more deeply, but finally nodded and turned, heading toward the third year girls dorm room. She slipped inside and shook Lily awake, the younger girl rolling over to peer up at her cousin blearily.
"Mm? Rosie?" she asked, voice groggy. "What'sa matter?"
"Albus wants to talk to us," Rose replied. "He says it's important. Get dressed."
Lily nodded, sleepily bemused, and quickly wiggled into some slacks and a t-shirt. She didn't bother running a brush through her hair yet, since it was just Albus, and followed Rose back out into the corridor.
Albus was still waiting in the same place, and looked up at them sadly. "Alby?" Lily mumbled, walking over to her big brother. "What's wrong? Were you crying?"
He leaned over and gave her a hug, tight and maybe a bit desperate, but she didn't mind. Albus rarely gave hugs. After a moment, he pulled back and sighed. "I'm sorry to wake you up, Lily. I have to go, and I wanted to tell you and Rose goodbye first."
"Go?" Lily blinked large green eyes up at him, startled and not at all sure what was going on. Beside her, Rose looked like she was trying to figure it out with very little information. In the end, they were both looking at him, at a loss as to what to say or do about it.
Finally, though, Lily shook her head. "I don't get it," she muttered. "Where are you going? Why? When will you be back?"
"I don't know," he murmured, sighing. "Not for a long time... if ever. But I had to come tell you both goodbye, at least..."
"But Alby!" Lily protested, eyes widening. "You can't go away! What about me and James, and mum and dad?"
"James..." Albus swallowed. "He's coming with me, but he can probably come see you guys whenever he wants. He doesn't have the same obligations I do..."
Rose frowned, crossing her arms and glaring at him. "What? Just like this? Just... Albus, is this about that... that thing that attacked us?" she asked. "Please, just tell me what's going on. I can help!"
He shook his head, grimacing. "Not this time, Rosie."
Lily hugged him again, and he didn't push her away. "Why are you leaving, Alby?" she said into his collarbone, voice muffled by his shirt. "Why?"
He brushed his hand through her hair, sadly amused to find tangles in it, and slowly worked them out. "I have to go become an exorcist, I guess... I'll be fighting to protect everyone, just like Dad did. Fighting akuma." He swallowed hard, and kissed the top of her head. "I'm gonna be a hero, just like Dad. I'll be someone you guys can be proud of. And don't worry about me being alone. I'll have Scorpius and James... and a whole lot of other people helping out too. Other exorcists."
"Won't you be able to send us letters?" Lily asked, looking at him.
"Maybe," he replied uncertainly. "I really don't know. I'll have to ask." He smiled at her. "If so, then I'll send you as many as I can get away with. I have Tiki, after all."
She beamed up at him brilliantly. "Okay. Pinkey promise?" She held up her hand, and giggled when he groaned exaggeratedly and locked pinkies with her. "Alright! And if you don't keep the promise, I'll find you and break your pinkey."
"I believe it, you little monster," he retorted fondly.
"Okay! Wait right here," Lily ordered, and hurried off back to her room.
Rose took her absence as an advantage and hit Albus upside the head. "OW! What was that for?!"
On came the mighty Rose scowl of doom. "For being a great bloody jerk and not telling me, Albus Severus Potter!" she hissed. Then added, "and keep your voice down. People are sleeping."
"Sorry," he said contritely, with a guilty expression. "I've been screwing up a lot lately, I guess... But I promise I'll be fixing things, alright? And if I can, I'll write to you too."
She pinched him. "You'd better!" she snapped, and stalked off. She had to go to the bathroom.
He smiled ironically as he rubbed his arm and looked toward Lily's room as the door opened again. She hurried back to him and held up the little bit of thread their mother had fashioned into a bracelet for her. "You have to wear it! So you don't forget to write to me, Alby," she said firmly, and thrust it into his hand. "Alright?"
"Alright."
xXx
"No."
Well, what else did I expect? James met Kanda's gaze from across his bed in the early morning light and shook his head just slightly. "That wasn't a question, exorcist."
Scowling, the other man turned and shoved another folded pair of pants into his travel bag. "And I don't remember giving you permission, wizard."
"Why not?"
Kanda let out a growl of frustration. "Because you're a civilian."
AKA, read canon fodder. James' lips quirked. Hey Merlin! Guess what? He cares! Not even bothering with any sense of order, the taller teen tossed robes and pants, sweaters and books into a large trunk. He paused for a moment, then pulled the robe he wore off and pitched that into the box too.
"Potter, what the fuck are you doing?"
Slanting his eyes to the side, James took in Kanda's thunderous expression, his stiff posture, and twitching facial muscles. "Packing."
"Were you not listening? You're staying!" The Japanese man yanked on the drawstrings of the bag and straightened, arms crossed and dark eyes glaring.
And James stubbornly returned the gesture in full. "You weren't listening. I said, I am following Albus. He's my brother. I will not abandon him."
The two of them stood staring at each other and James swore he saw the slanting golden light move half an inch by the time the other man unclenched his jaw.
"And what if this war forces you to leave him?" the exorcist asked him with a sneer. "What if you have to fight him? What then?"
Sarah's empty body, plodding through a parody of living.
James smiled. "Then I will know I have done my best, and stayed true. I will never leave him willingly."
The exorcist sighed. "Pain in the fucking ass, James." Some of the tension in his body seemed to seep away. Still, Kanda pointed at the large three-quarter full trunk, declaring, "You can't bring that."
Smirking, the wizard turned to eye his luggage. He tossed a pillow in for good measure and snapped the lid down. Under Kanda's skeptical gaze, James pulled out his wand and moments later, he pocketed the tiny box of belongings. "Why not?"
The other man gave him a thoroughly disgusted look. "Fucking smartass." And then the exorcist dragged out a similar trunk and began to load it up.
If I were brave, I'd say he was sulking. James chuckled. "I'm gonna say my goodbyes. See you at McGonagall's office."
"Eat shit."
xXx
Another short one, my bad. I might just shorten them from here on out. Transferring them to the blog is a lot of work for such a lazy person. Hmph. Anyway, many apologies, I know I promised to post a second chapter a few weeks ago… but life got busy. At least it's A Thursday, right? I'm seriously going to update a second chapter today, which will bring us neatly into the end of the Harry Potter Had it Easy arc.