AN: Forgive me for any missing or misspelled words. I don't have a beta and while I always double check my work, I'm not perfect and I make mistakes.
Chapter Four:
It was a rather windy afternoon and the curls from Hermione's hair were running wild alone with the breeze. Every now and then a curl would get into her mouth and she would move it away with a huff. Harry just chuckled every time it happened. To him, the wind would only caress his black bird nest and make it worse than normal. Hermione eyed him with envy.
"Why couldn't I have hair like yours?"
Harry snorted. "I'll trade my hair with you any day, Neenie."
Hermione just sighed and keep walking down the cobbled street, the plastic bags hanging from her arms. Harry and her had gone to the supermarket right after school, to do the groceries for the second time in a month. The house elves had wanted to do the shopping, but both Harry and her wanted to go out and walk around for a bit, to clear their minds. As they were returning home, they were talking about their time at Ouran, which hasn't been so long at all.
"I still don't feel comfortable being in a classroom without you," Harry said suddenly.
"That's because now you can't count on my notes for class," Hermione replied playfully, and Harry had the decency to blush.
"Of course not! I mean, I'm used to seating next to you or R—" Harry's emerald eyes became glassy for no more longer than a second, and then he cleared his throat. "We've always been together, and I don't like that we're not anymore."
A few seconds passed in silence and Hermione knew Harry was having flashbacks of the old times. She couldn't think of anything comforting to say, since she was having the same flashbacks as well, of a tall and lanky red-headed boy with a voracious appetite and a hot temper. Slowly, she placed a hand on the boy's shoulders, showing him her support.
"It's alright, Harry. You know he wouldn't want you to feel this way."
Harry gave her a side glance, but he wasn't angry or annoyed. Just profoundly saddened. "It's been almost a year…" He whispered. "Can't believe it has been so long…"
She would have reply, but in that moment they just had arrived to the front yard of the Black Manor, and there was a large motorbike parked down in front of the porch. That just meant that Lord Black was back from a day at work.
The Black Manor, Japanese edition, was really a welcoming change from Grimmauld Place. There weren't dark objects nearby, no elf heads plates stuck to the walls and definitively no Walburga Black painting screaming foul words at them at the foyer.
It had many rooms, but only seven bedrooms, each with their own bathroom, were in use. It also had a living/drawing room, a big kitchen, a library, a dining room, the master's office, a cellar/potions lab, a great hall to host parties and balls, and anything else you could find in a pure blood manor. The furniture was of a Victorian style and there were many paintings on the walls. It was also heavily warded with the magic of the old Black ancestors, plus the new wards Sirius decided to place. It was a very dreamy house and more often than not, Hermione felt the house came out from a fairy tale.
"Siri is home!" Harry said happily and even with three heavy bags on each arm, he managed to run all the way to the door. The bushy haired girl rolled her eyes and decided on walking instead.
"Heya pups!" Sirius greeted with a huge grin once they entered the house. The man was undoing his tie with one hand and unbuttoning his suit with the other.
"How was work, Sirius?" She asked as she carried the bags towards the kitchen and Harry trailing right behind.
"It was alright, if it wasn't for the fact that Tanaka was driving me crazy and following me around all day!"
"That's his job, Siri," Hermione reminded. "He's your assistant."
"Well, he's doing it too well, I think," Sirius huffed. "What's for dinner? I have a craving for Italian; can we have spaghetti?" He said, looking towards Harry.
The black haired teenager, who's usually in charge of making dinner (when the house elves allow it) glared at Sirius. "Why didn't you tell me sooner? I do have school work to finish, you know!"
"Sorry," Sirius said none apologetic at all. Harry just sighed and ordered him to help Hermione with the groceries while he started cooking for the evening.
"So, how was school?" The Head of the Black family asked his female ward.
"It was okay, all things consider. Ayame-san and I spent lunch doing our homework at one of the libraries."
"I lost Gaius sometime at mid-morning, but he came back to me at club hours. It is more exciting, you know," Harry put in while taking out the pasta. Hermione scowled.
"I told you to keep an eye on him and you lose him?" She almost shouted. "What if someone saw him or he bit someone? Just because you can talk to him doesn't make him any less dangerous!"
"Neenie, relax! He knows he can't disobey me, and he usually stay in the tall grass hunting for rats! He knows we can't have him spilling out his venom!" Harry shouted back.
"Hey, calm down you two!" Sirius's voice said above theirs. "No arguing when Harry is making dinner!"
A loud pop was heard, which startled the three members of the house. Tawny stood next to the doorway, with a disapproving frown on her wrinkly face.
"Master and Young Master and Mistress shouldn't be fighting!" The elf glared. Both teens flushed pink. Satisfied, Tawny looked at Hermione and handed over a pink rectangular parchment. "Mistress Hermione has received a letter, miss!"
The girl shared a glance with both males and swiftly took the letter in her hands. Without further ado, the elf popped away. Hermione ripped open the pink envelop and started reading the message inside. Sirius and Harry waited expectantly.
"This must be some kind of joke," Hermione stated a minute later.
"What do you mean, my dear?" Sirius asked, and Hermione more or less threw the paper at his face.
"What is it?" Harry asked.
"An invitation!" Sirius exclaimed. "Miss Granger-Black, we cordially invite to the formal Ouran Spring Ball, to be hosted on Saturday. We would appreciate your presence at such wonderful event… You never told me you were getting invited to balls!"
"It's not a big deal, Padfoot. I think Ayame-san isn't going either, but that's because she hates Tamaki-san…"
"Tamaki?" Harry inquired.
"The president of the Host club, the group sponsoring the ball. He's rather sweet and charming, actually. He's like a combination of Lockhart and you, Sirius." Hermione grinned at the Animagus.
"I do not know who you're talking about," Sirius said, mild offended. Harry laughed, getting the reference. "So that's why your friend hates him?"
"No; she hates him because even though he acts like a fool most of the time, he's second in our class. She has grades complex."
"Then I don't want to know what she's going to do to you once you start taking your exams. You know, since you're definitely going to be top student," Harry said as he laid out the pasta inside a pot with hot boiling water.
"Well, I'm not sure about that. There's a guy in my class who has been the top student even since he was in grade school, and even if he's kind of a jerk, he's very brilliant."
"Who is that?" Sirius asked interested.
"Ootori Kyoya, the most manipulative evil git you could find. He's best friends with Tamaki-san." Hermione said bitterly. "He doesn't seem to like me that much ever since the teachers started complimenting me instead of him,"
"What? The guy can't deal with a little competition?"
"By the looks of it, he thinks I'm the worst thing that has ever come in his way," Hermione stated and Sirius barked out a laugh, which both teens joined.
"So, are you going?" Harry asked.
"No, not really, no," She replied. "You know I'm not a big fan of balls like these."
"What are you saying? You should definitively go! You were invited!" Sirius ranted.
"That doesn't mean I'm obliged to go,"
Sirius pouted and huffed, annoyed at Hermione's answer. He read the invitation again and got a pensive expression which Harry didn't like at all.
"You know what you should do? Go. Go to that party or ball or whatever. Go and dazzle all the guests. You can't possible spend a Saturday night stuck inside this manor." Sirius said after a while.
"Sure I can; I have to study anyways,"
"Yeah, but I won't allow it. You have me as your guardian, not Remus, and certainly not Snivellus.
"What Professor Lupin and Professor Snape have to do with it?" Hermione quirked an eyebrow up, confused.
"That I'm a better guardian than they would ever be! Now, we need to find you a dress, some nice shoes—"
"Sirius, you don't—"
"Yes I do! I might be a guy, but I do have a great taste in fashion! Yellow is definitely not your color, but maybe..."
Hermione searched Harry with her eyes, asking for help. The black-haired teenager, however, just chuckled, and ignored the musings of his godfather. Hermione groaned in annoyance. After almost a year of living with Sirius Orion Black, both of them knew that when something gets stuck in their guardian's head, there's no way to change his mind.
"Harry, something's burning," Sirius stated all of the sudden, pointing at the oven.
After watching Sirius and Harry fighting their way into the kitchen and trying to save the burned up food, Hermione decided it was better if they dinned out anyways, preferably to a nice pizza parlor.
~oOo~
Hermione was certainly beautiful and dashing when all the preparations were finished. Sirius, as expected, went all in all, and bought Hermione the best and the most expensive dresses on sale, even though she kept telling him she didn't need anything showy or jazzy. She knew it was a lost case, since Sirius pretended to have deaf ears each time she tried to rationalize with him.
A half hour before the ball was due to start, Hermione was standing in the middle of the apparation Atrium, wearing a beautiful golden evening dress with glittering touches all over. It was strapless and accented with the most delicate of jewelry, a pair of diamond earrings and a necklace that once belonged to one Elladora Black. Her hair was pristinely ironed and was held back with hair clippings. In Harry's opinion, she looked even prettier than she did at the Yule Ball back in fourth year.
Sirius, meanwhile, was annoyingly excited and practically bouncing off the walls.
"But will you look at youself! If I weren't your guardian and twenty years younger, I would definitely escort to the end of the world!"
"Thank God you aren't," Hermione whispered under her breath and Harry stiffed a laugh.
"You look nice, Neenie," Harry complimented. Hermione thanked him with a small smile.
"Well then, Miss Granger, if you are definitely ready, please hold on to my arm." Sirius, who was in all his glory wearing a rather impressive black suit, stood next to her offering his arm. The now silky brown haired girl blushed a little and locked arms with him. Sirius gave one last glance at his godson.
"You wait here, alright Prongslet?" Sirius winked at him, but before Harry could reply, Sirius disapparated. Harry's stomach filled with dreadful foreboding as why exactly Sirius wanted him to wait for. He didn't have plans besides staying in his room and do his homework, but something told him his schedule was about to change.
Five minutes later, a smiling Sirius came back to the atrium. The Animagus found his godson sitting next to the fireplace in a comfy armchair, with Gaius at his feet. Said godson raised his wary gaze towards his godfather.
"Alright, pup! Since the lady of the house is now partying, why should we, attractive and handsome young men stay inside four walls, when we could perfectly go out for the night?" Sirius grinned, pulling Harry to his feet.
"You do realize I'm still a minor, right?"
Sirius stopped dead in his track and looked back at him with a frown. "You know, any other teenager your age would be delighted at the prospect of free alcohol and late rendezvous with an awesome godfather as me. Why are you arguing?"
"It's not that I'm arguing, but I know that if I let you do something immoral or illegal, Neenie will have my hide and I rather not get in trouble." Harry deadpanned as he watched Gaius slither back to the fireplace.
"Don't worry, Prongslet! We'll just go where the night takes us!" Sirius smirked deviously and before Harry could say a cheeky reply, they apparated away.
Later that night, Harry promised himself he would never, ever, go in a "Guy's Night Out" with Sirius Black and that he would never step foot into an okama bar again. He was enough traumatized with all the Boy-Who-Lived business; he didn't need Sirius to add more fuel to the fire.
~oOo~
Kyoya Ootori was a person who never backed down from a challenge, no matter how difficult and over tasking could be.
Tamaki was a good example of this. His so called best friend was annoying, eccentric, and overall idiotic to no end, but he still was friends with him and, and dare he say it, was even fond of the damn fool. It was an everyday challenge to stay sane around Tamaki and he felt he was an expert at it. He could always maintain his cool and hide away his irritation every time the blonde came to him with a new absurd idea, and that in itself was challenging.
Managing the Host club was another good example. Being a Shadow King wasn't a walk on the park, and if it wasn't for his intelligence, resourcefulness and cunning, the club would have ceased to exist long time ago. Although it could never be compare to managing an exclusive and successful business, Kyoya thought of his control of the Host club as some sort of practice for the future years. He wanted to show his father that he was more than capable to be the Head of the Ootori Corporation, even if he was the third son.
That particular challenge would always rise up his spirits, because it was some sort of game for him. It was alluring and exhilarating and Kyoya enjoyed it, even if he hid his emotions behind a stoic facade.
Other minor challenges could be his dealings with the members of the Host club. But as surprising as it was, he didn't mind the twins' devilish banter and Hunny's uncontrolled cravings for sweets. He certainly didn't mind Mori-sempai's silent nature, and neither did he find an objection to Haruhi's bluntness and apathy. If he could deal with Tamaki, who could be worse than all the six of them together, he sure could deal with the rest. It was all for business after all.
And even if he didn't admit even to himself, he always awaited expectantly those afternoons where they would take refuge inside the four wall of the clubroom.
And now, even though it had been harder than he originally thought, he wasn't going to back done for this challenge, after he had been over all the above mentioned challenges.
Yeah, sure, he didn't expect Potter-san to be some kind of loner who only spoke with a commoner, no pun towards Haruhi intended, and he surely didn't expect Granger be a smart studious girl who could possible through him off the hook if he didn't pay attention, but he wasn't backing down from the challenge his father gave him.
It was quite possible that his father didn't exactly mean for him to become friends with the adoptive charges of Lord Black; the man only said to bid them welcome, but Kyoya wanted to be in a fair relation with them, at least as an acquaintance. It was more than Yoshio Ootori was expecting and Kyoya knew this. And Kyoya wanted to surpass his father's expectations.
He also knew that competing with Granger in academics wasn't exactly the way you made friends or even acquainted with someone, but dammit!
The girl was smart, too smart and she wasn't the type to fool around with. She was not like the other girls who were perfectly contented with a cutesy compliment and a charming smile. Granger had to ask for the veracity of the words given to her and their real meaning. The girl didn't trust anything you told her, no matter if it was a fact or opinion. If it was a fact, she would look for proof and if it was an opinion, you needed to explain the reasoning of your opinion.
It also didn't help that Granger had grown an immense dislike for him in the few weeks after school began. Her dislike of him almost rivaled Jonouchi-san's dislike for Tamaki.
With Potter-kun, he didn't have an exact opinion, since he haven't had a single interaction with the black haired boy. He would watch the teen from afar sometimes, and he noticed the times when the boy would share company were very few. And Potter-kun seemed to only deem himself important to speak to Nekozawa-san and Haruhi, which didn't make sense at all.
And then, there was the lack of information. Every source he had tried to search in, it came empty. For five whole years, both Granger and Potter had been missing from any records whatsoever. What he had only managed to gather was two death certificates of one Dan and Emily Granger, and James and Lily Potter, both from Britain respectably. The death cause of both couples was labeled as unknown.
Kyoya knew it was a far cry, but he couldn't help but think that maybe these people and his school mates were related somehow.
Both Potters were working inside the Law Enforcement at the date of their death, and the Grangers were dentists, until their death in July last year. He couldn't possibly imagine the reason why Lord Black would adopt the son of two policemen (if that's the job the Potters had) and the daughter of a pair of dentists. It was all very confusing and mind breaking.
Unfortunately for Kyoya, he couldn't lay down if there was a mystery in front of him begging to be solved.
It was also very unfortunate that he was currently stuck at a ball, dancing with airheaded girls who only giggled and fainted, when he would rather be at home solving the mystery around Potter-Black Harry and Granger-Black Hermione.
Although watching Haruhi kiss another girl had its merits.
No, not those kinds of merits.
Kyoya kept dancing with one of his regulars until the song ended. When it did, he bowed down to the princess and the third-year girl walked away, giggling behind her hand. Kyoya repressed a sigh of annoyance.
As he walked out of the way for the other dancing couples, a rather puzzling sight caught the corner of his eyes. He pushed his glasses over the bridge of his nose to see more clearly.
Tamaki was in the middle of the dance floor, swirling around a smiling Granger and dancing to the classic melody they had selected as background music. The girl who had been earlier in his musings seemed completely entranced and charmed. She was clearly enjoying herself in the arms of the King.
And yet, Kyoya wondered when Hermione had arrived to the ball. He never saw her entering by the double doors to the Grand Hall, and he had kept a special eye out. And more so, why hadn't he seen her all night until now, when the ball was about to end?
Had he been really that careless as to miss her completely? Maybe he was too focused with the operation regarding the fiancées earlier and that's why he didn't notice her. He groaned loudly; he could have advance so much in his pursuit of friendship with the girl if he had realized she was there.
Kyoya didn't fret; the dance was still on and he could still ask for the last dance and maybe even success in getting a smile out of her, just like Tamaki had done. He might not be the Prince type, but he was the Cool type.
With that plan in hand, he walked towards the pair once the song had ended. Even with the distance and the loud music, he could hear the conversation between the two.
"I was a bit skeptical at first about coming today, and if it wasn't for Sirius, probably wouldn't have come either, but I have enjoyed myself greatly, Tamaki-san."
"I'm amazingly happy to hear say those words, my princess!" Tamaki beamed with happiness. "Your pleasure is what matter tonight, my darling and I would be more than delighted to see that beautiful smile on your face again."
A rosy blush arrived to Hermione's cheeks and she averted her gaze from the Host club's president. Kyoya smirked inwardly; seems like Granger wasn't so immune to the Host club's charms after all.
"Tamaki," He called out loud. The tall blonde turned around with a big smile on his face which practically blinded him.
"Oh Kyoya! Have you meet Princess Hermione?" Tamaki waved an elegant hand pointing at the girl. "She's one of the most brilliant girls I've ever had the pleasure to meet. And quite beautiful as well."
The blush on Granger's face deepened.
"Of course I know her. She's in our class after all." Kyoya said with the most charming voice he could muster. He wondered what exactly Tamaki was playing at, the blonde knew perfectly he was aware of who Granger was. If he recalled correctly, Tamaki even made fun of him almost a week ago for it.
He bowed slightly at her and thrust out a hand. "Would you do me the honor of giving me the next dance, mademoiselle?"
He could see the hesitation on Granger's face and Kyoya wondered for a moment if she would really dare to refuse. It wasn't proper etiquette to deny a man's invitation to the dance floor, and Granger seemed well verse in etiquette and what was proper.
Slowly, the girl nodded her head delicately and grabbed his hand. Kyoya, as the fine gentleman he was raised to be, guided her to the dance floor. He faced her and bow down to her, with a charming smirk at all time. They fell into position and Kyoya held her a little closer than necessarily. Later on, he would berate himself for this little fact.
They started moving, in compass to the music, her golden dress flowing around and doing a striking contrast with his black suit. But Kyoya didn't have eyes for her outfit; he was particularly interested in the small but noticeable necklace on the girl's neck. It wasn't the kind of jewelry found on shops, more like in antiques stores. It was obviously from the late nineteen century and he was fairly certain that it was authentic.
"That's quite a beautiful piece of jewelry, Granger-san. Am I right when I say it's from the Victorian Era?"
For a moment, Hermione seemed lost for words and appeared confused at his question. "Yes, you're right. It's from the 1870's. It used to belong to Elladora Black, my guardian's ancestor." She managed to reply truthfully.
"I see. So the Black family dates from centuries ago?"
"There have Black ancestors starting from the middle ages onwards, if that's what you're wondering." He caught the hint of irritation in her voice.
"Forgive me if I have somehow bothered you with my questions, princess." Kyoya said as honestly as he was capable of. "I suppose you aren't aware that thanks to the Black family, the Ootori family is now where it stands, am I right?"
Hermione stared at him wide eyed. Kyoya could understand; that bit of information wasn't really known to public and Kyoya preferred it that way. But here was the adopted ward of Lord Black, and Kyoya couldn't stop himself.
"The Ootori family, while doesn't have as many ancestors as the Black family, still dates from the 1920 and 30s. As I'm sure you well know, those were the years when the Great Depression started to grow. My great-great-great grandfather, Tomohiro Ootori was the one who founded the Ootori Empire and a man called Phineas Black (1) was the major pillar in his quest. The man had always supported my grandfather from the very beginning, but right after the first Ootori Hospital was established, he disappeared and he was never heard of again. From that moment on, the Ootori's have always been successful businessman in Japan and worldwide. So, you may understand why the surname Black interests me."
"That… That's impressive. I honestly have no idea." Hermione answered, and in a very hushed voice, which Kyoya couldn't hear clearly, she said. "That must have been one of the reasons why he was blasted off…"
"Excuse me?"
"Oh, forgive me," Hermione gave him a small sheepish smile. "It has been rather refreshing talking to you, Ootori-san. I apologize if I may have seemed rude earlier. I don't feel comfortable talking about my guardian's family."
"Understandable. You were adopted, were you not?"
"Yes," Again, the hint of annoyance was there, but there was also reluctance as well. Kyoya understood the girl wasn't up to talking about her adoption. He might be heartless, but he did have tact. So he changed the subject to lighter topics
"Have you enjoyed yourself tonight?"
"Yes, it had been wonderful. Thanks for inviting, Ootori-san."
For some reason, he couldn't feel bothered with himself.
The song ended, and Hermione seemed a bit too hurried to leave his side. While he could perfectly ask for another dance, it wouldn't have been fair for the other guests who waited expectantly for him. He bow down to her once again, and this time, she did the same. She also smiled prettily at him before walking away.
That smile gave him hope.
The challenge was still on, but it was on his favor. Maybe now she wouldn't dislike him so much, and he could take another step forward with his plan.
Kyoya was definitely going to win at the end, no matter what.
A/N: While writing the last bit about Kyoya and Hermione, I couldn't help fangirling a lot of times. . Soon there will be Mori/Harry, slow but it will come.
(1) According to the Black Family tree in Harry Potter Wiki, Phineas Black was the brother of Cygnus Black, Sirius Black II, Belvina Black and Arcturus Black. He was blasted off from the tree because he supported Muggle Rights. Since all his brothers lived from the 1870s and 80s to the 1940s, 50s and 60s, I gather he also lived during this period.