Matou Shinji and the Heirs of Slytherin

A Harry Potter / Fate Stay Night Story

Disclaimer: Though I wish it were otherwise, I do not own or in any way, shape or form hold a legal or moral claim to elements of either the Nasuverse, the Potterverse, or other works I may reference in the course of this story.

Summary: Trouble is brewing in the Wizarding World. In the wake of the Stone Incident, Albus Dumbledore has begun quietly preparing Britain to survive the coming war. The Stone Cutters, a new organization at Hogwarts for the most talented and distinguished of students, seek new blood to bolster its strength. The Boy-Who-Lived seeks his destiny as the Heir of Slytherin. And a boy from the east meets a specter of the past.

Chapter 19. Dreams of Gold

With the announcement of the new organization which Lockhart had unilaterally appointed him chair of, Shinji had been mobbed by his classmates after class, all wanting to know how long he'd known this was coming (he hadn't), if he had any insight on what the club would do exactly (which he didn't), and if there was anything the professor would favor in an application – aside from what was stated, that was.

Not that this kind of attention was new to him.

As a member of the Stone Cutter Society, he'd been asked similar questions before, given how one couldn't apply for membership. Rather, if one performed a feat worthy of note, a member of the Society would interview the candidate thereafter, usually over the course of a casual meal, and if the person seemed competent, they would have a trial period of association before full induction.

Currently, Neville Longbottom and his associate Fay Dunbar were being considered for association due to their achievements thus far, with Ron Weasley having been disqualified due to dishonesty, but no candidate had been formally inducted into the Society as of yet.

He didn't think the new organization would be nearly as…exclusive as the Society, given Lockhart's invitation to his students to become Founding Members; nor did he imagine that Lockhart would let the students manage it entirely, as the Professor was tying himself to it more closely than Flitwick to the SCS. It would probably be modeled somewhat on the Consul system, where Lockhart retained the right to invite individuals or veto suggestions, given that he currently had possession of the Book of Spells, with how far the students' power ran yet to be determined.

And frankly, he admitted to a certain level of curiosity about the specifics of what Lockhart had planned. That his scenarios would test one's leadership and command abilities as opposed to just one's individual talents at magic and tactical thinking were one thing, but that was hardly a detailed overview – not that he imagined the professor would reveal too much this early, as knowledge was power too, and the man was well versed in the ways of power.

Shinji himself was most curious about three things: What his role as "leader" would entail, how the new club would be organized, and if there would be a way to use the Book of Spells outside of being a member of the organization?

While he did have extended library privileges as a Consul, Shinji couldn't exactly gainsay the History Professor if Lockhart had decided to check out the book for the duration of the year, given who his power stemmed from. And he'd figured out by now that no other professor was likely to need the book for class, or else Quirrell wouldn't have been able to give a student unrestricted use of it for an entire term, so it was likely the man would be able to keep control over it.

At least Lockhart's offers – both his offer to the Society as well as that made to the students at large – weren't issues he had to tackle immediately. Which was good, for there were things he needed to finish in the short time before he returned to Japan for the winter holidays. He was bound to do so by his Master's requirements anyhow, and with the restrictions that the Headmaster had put in place on using the school owls for international shipping after last year, going back himself was probably the easiest way to bring back presents.

Well, those of reasonable size, anyway.

Such was why he was currently in the Room of Hidden Things, given that that vast treasure hoard worthy of a dragon of myth was his best bet for finding interesting gifts.

"What do you think about this?" he asked, holding up a weathered, ancient-looking tome bound in black leather, on the cover of which was inscribed the words Secrets of the Darkest Art.

"Do you practice the Dark Arts extensively, Matou Shinji?" his companion asked, tilting her head quizzically as she looked over the tome. "If not, how do you know it is truly about the Darkest Art?"

"…I don't," Shinji admitted, briefly leafing through the pages – and wondering at the age of it. "What is the Darkest Art anyway? I've heard of the Unforgivables, but are any of them considered the Darkest?"

"I don't know," Luna Lovegood mused aloud.

…well, a gift for my Master then, I suppose. I know by now that she's quite interested in odd things and artifacts, so perhaps this book will be something she'd like. This one doesn't seem to be cursed, so there's that.

At least, not cursed that he could tell – and he was wearing his spirit gloves just in case, so he gingerly placed the tome into one of the mokeskin pouches he'd brought for the excursion, before turning to his companion, who was looking at an item herself.

"Galleon for your thoughts?" she asked, with Shinji raising an eyebrow at what he saw: a set of what he thought might be playing cards. Only he wasn't sure, given how ornate they were, with no portraits whatsoever, just backgrounds rich with color and patterns, abstract designs and calligraphy, with symbols that looked like swords, wands, cups, and coins depicted on the card face.

Are these…playing cards? But where are the face cards?

For there weren't any, just ten cards with the symbols portrayed in abstract ways – and three with the symbol of each suit portrayed therein, and some kind of writing at the top and bottom – gold against a background of lapis.

Through the gloves, he could feel the age of this set, just as he could see how the detail and the craftsmanship of it was exquisite. Even the card which had been on top of the stack when he'd looked at it - the Two of Cups, if the set followed normal conventions – was very well done.

"That's…quite a find," Shinji noted, swallowing as he pored over the cards.

"You like it?" Luna questioned, the barest semblance of a smile playing across her lips.

"Yes…" And it would be a great gift for my Master as well…

"Then it's yours," she said, pressing the cards into his hands, whereupon Shinji blinked, unused to people just letting him just have anything. Those cards were obviously quite valuable – he'd never seen their like before, but after going through the Room, he'd become somewhat adept at separating useful things from rubbish.

"…thank you. But you don't have to, you know…" was all Shinji could say in reply.

"I know."

She'd shown the secret of the Room of Requirement, and he in turn had showed her this aspect of the Room – the treasures that had been lost here over the ages, but even so, he didn't think the scales quite balanced. Thus, he made up his mind to do something very nice for the girl. He'd already had a book on Japanese myths and creatures in mind so she could read about the Qilin, but perhaps a sculpture of that holiest of beasts would do as well – one that shimmered in the light, seeming as ethereal as the world itself.

At least, he felt certain that Hijiri would agree to make something of the sort if he brought some treasure with him. Still…

"Isn't there anything you want here?" he wondered, given that Luna hadn't picked anything out for herself, other than a mokeskin pouch.

"I'm not much attached to things," came the soft reply. "Things come and go, and always seem to find their proper place eventually. Even the things we lose have a way of coming back to us in the end, if not always in the way we expect."

Shinji blinked at that, having never heard a philosophy quite like that before.

"What do you value then?" he asked, looking at the girl as if for the first time.

"Friends. Experiences. Knowledge," she answered with a soft smile, her expression seeming distant, as if she was looking at him from a world away, from some ever-distant utopia. "These treasures here are pretty, but they don't mean much in the end – they were just things that were lost, or thrown away."

She held his gaze steadily, an odd light in her eyes.

"Many things can return to us in time, but time itself can't. That we can never get back if we lose it."

"…that's an interesting way to see things," Shinji noted, not sure quite what to say to that. She spoke almost like an ideal magus might – someone with no devotion to material things, or the needs of self, only to knowledge and time.

"Father tells me I'm very wise," she replied. "Others say I'm loony. Which one do you think I am?"

"…I'd say you're pretty wise. And pretty too."

"You're not bad yourself, Matou Shinji."

And for some reason, when she said that, the corners of her lips curving up ever so slightly, he felt warm inside, though he didn't know quite why.

The rest of the time in the Room they spent pleasantly enough, choosing a few presents here and there for others – with Shinji having noticeably more people to gift to than Luna, though it surprised him to learn that her house in Ottery St Catchpole was located near the Weasley residence. What didn't surprise him was that it was shaped like a rook and hidden among the hills and surrounded by gardens, a blend of logic and freeform creativity, nature and artifice. That she had grown up in such a place seemed appropriate, really.

"You'd enjoy visiting Mahoutokoro, I think," he mused aloud. "A place with less in the way of castles and mazes, and more in the way of nature."

"Mm. Perhaps I'll ask Dad if we can look for the Crumple-Horned Snorkack in Japan this summer then," she murmured softly.

"If you do, I'll show you around." If my Master gives me the time to, that is…

"I'd like that."

Together, the two helped each other choose presents for their friends – and those who weren't exactly friends, but whom it was wise to remain on decent terms with.

One of those in the latter category was Ron Weasley, the brother to Fred and George. Since he knew their family was not exceedingly well off, he decided that perhaps he should look for a replacement wand and a holster for Ronald Weasley – and ended up finding something of willow, though not being a wand-crafter, he couldn't say what the core was.

Ginny Weasley, on the other hand, was more or less a friend of Luna's, and so the two picked out a set of omniocculars, a magical revealer, and a mokeskin pouch for her.

For Neville Longbottom and Fay Dunbar, both of whom were Stone Cutter candidates and fellow Consuls, he secured wand holsters, a copy of Advanced Potionmaking, and a collapsible cauldron apiece, though he also took the time to personalize gift selections, given their respective interests. Thus, he chose a set of books about magical water plants of Europe for Neville and a handsome volume entitled The Noble Sport of Warlocks – which, true to name, covered Quidditch, albeit as it had been in the 17th century – for Fay.

Hermione, Shinji thought, would appreciate a copy of Most Potente Potions to go with her Book of Potions, as well as a magic chest in which she could store a small library – or any gifts he sent from Japan.

For Harry, he thought a copy of The Healer's Helpmate might come in handy, as often as the rest of them were injured – and knowing of his own ineptitude for healing. That aside, a Hand of Glory might come in handy on their expeditions, with a heavy cloak of black with gold brocade meant for more formal occasions, since such a thing might come in handy for his visit to Greengrass manor. Appearances counted a great deal, after all.

…and since it had been a year since Sokaris had shared with him an aspect of the Room of Requirement, he figured he might as well do the same for Harry. Only instead of the Room of Hidden Things, he'd tell Harry that one went the specified location and walked back and forth, it would often reveal a practice chamber for spells and dueling.

There was no need to share everything the Room could do with Harry, even if the Boy-Who-Lived was one of his closest friends, he thought. Some things were better discovered for oneself, after all.

As for others at home – well, there were a few of those gifts too.

Some he'd taken care of in advance, having secured a copy of the Makar Zolgen epic from Professor Lockhart during one of their earlier conversations, as he thought his grandfather might enjoy it – and perhaps the old man might be able to shed some insight into whether or not that had been him.

For his…sister, he supposed a simple magic lantern would work well.

For Emiya Shirou, there was set of matched goblin-forged knives – or perhaps daggers, to go with the house-elf armor he'd sent the year before.

…and as the pièce de résistance, there was a gift for the Second Owner of Fuyuki – a beautiful crystal and silver chandelier of exquisite craftsmanship that must have been of goblin manufacture, each of the crystals enchanted to glow with brilliant inner light, powered by ambient mana – or magic. And then too, a cloak and brooch like a raven's wing, since he was of the House of Ravenclaw, after all.

It was a bit too big to pack with him, so he'd ship it by owl to Gringotts and have them take care of forwarding it onwards, since he had enough in his account to pay for expenses, courtesy of the Room of Hidden Things.

For his other friends and associates – with the exception of Sokaris, he figured they'd find gifts from Japan more meaningful.

But it was she who troubled his thoughts, since he didn't know what she'd like. Days after the little excursion to the Room of Hidden Thing, he was still wondering what to give Sokaris – or Sion, he supposed he should call her, as what could he give to someone who had everything, to whom money was no object (and with the Philosopher's Stone, it really wasn't), someone who had everything he could ever want in terms of power and prestige?

She wouldn't be impressed with anything from the Room of Hidden Things, given that she was the one who'd told him of it in the first place, and he doubted there was much from Japan or Britain that would overly wow her. Well, aside from an artifact like one of the Hallows, and the whereabouts of the only one that hadn't been claimed by anyone – the Resurrection Stone – were currently unknown.

Speaking of the Resurrection Stone, Shinji was still not entirely sure as to who Tomas had been. It did seem something of a coincidence that his name should match that of Voldemort's true identity, and he had picked his word rather carefully, saying only that the Dark Lord had separated him from his body.

…which when one knew about the diary of Tom Marvolo Riddle, raised all kinds of red flags.

Still, since he'd written to his Master and not gotten anything in return, he found it convenient to focus on the problems in front of him, like what to get people for Christmas gifts.

He'd given Sokaris his mother's wand last year – one of the most valuable things to him from a sentimental standpoint – and had the house elves prepare a feast from his homeland, so he could share a bit of his culture with her, but what could he give her this time? More than likely, he wouldn't be seeing the Director of Atlas Academy over the Winter Holidays – and he certainly didn't expect it – so what would work?

So understandably, he was a bit…absent-minded during one of the Stone Cutter meetings, while they were discussing Lockhart's offer in more detail, without reaching any consensus. It was difficult.

"Everything was so much simpler last year," he found himself saying, only to be met with grumbles of approval from his comrades. "We had a clear objective, we didn't have to think about so many things, and…Sokaris was still here."

"Yeah," Harry added, shaking his head. "She was one of us. She…if I'd been stronger, or if I'd gone into the room alone…maybe…"

"Harry, there wasn't anything you could have done," Hillard responded, putting a hand on Harry's shoulder. "She knew the most about Alchemy of all of us, so she had to be the other one. She knew the risks too – we all did."

"Even if—"

"—we didn't think about them—"

"—until we ended up in St. Mungo's," Fred and George chorused, looking somewhat grim for the first time Shinji could really remember. "Still…"

"…it was easier when we were—"

"—fighting trolls and training to keep—"

"—the Philosopher's Stone—"

"—out of the wrong hands."

And well, it was certainly true that between the heightened security and the extra workload all of them found themselves encumbered with, there had been no time for pranks, and little enough for sitting down together as a group. Plus, without a common goal – and a common enemy – it was easy for them to drift apart to an extent.

"It would be easier if we knew what to expect from Lockhart, but we didn't," Hillard commented. "The offer of being our official biographer, the new organization he's forming, the way he's slowly been acquiring influence at Hogwarts – I wouldn't have expected it from someone who teaches history. Even if he's a well-travelled – unusually well-travelled – hero. He must have good connections with the press – though I should have expected that from the copies of those old Daily Prophet editions he has on his wall."

"And we still don't," Harry added. "But he doesn't seem to be out to get us. Dumbledore would probably interfere if Lockhart tried to break the official story anyway."

"…yeah, the Headmaster is no stranger to this stuff, but…we'd caught in the crossfire," Hillard mused, shaking his head. "From some of the things he's mentioned during the excursions and before, we know Lockhart doesn't think highly of Dumbledore, but he's still willing to make us an offer, which is…interesting. Though it looks like if we accept or not, he'll be forming that other organization as well, that everyone will think we have – or had – some input into."

The group was silent for some moments, as they thought this point over. It really was a master stroke, and one that placed Shinji into a position that wasn't entirely enviable.

True, being chosen as the group's leader for his demonstrated abilities was definitely a feather in his cap, but it also made others wonder as to his relationship with Lockhart, and how closely the two were associated. And if Shinji turned down the position, he had a feeling the History Professor might be less than pleased, as he might take that as a signal that the Society would not cooperate with him.

At the least, he could hinder them from accessing resources like the Book of Spells, or encourage the…ambitions of others, setting up his new organization as a de facto rival to the Stone Cutters – one that while still selective, was a group that others had a greater chance to join and would elevate them to the ranks of Hogwarts' leaders.

Whereas if Shinji accepted the tacit bid for association, then the new organization might indeed groom leaders – who would then be inducted into the Stone Cutters if they achieved even greater things. Frankly, one of the things that had concerned them until now had been how they'd hear about new people, and what would happen once the original group began to graduate. Without some structure in place, it was likely the organization might peter out, whereas if they had the other organization – and they'd have to come up with a suitable name for it – perhaps that would give them more potential recruits.

That would provide a way for the Society to continue and provide others with a pathway for progression, with the Stone Cutters retaining their elite status – but not making others bitter over never being selected (people like Draco Malfoy, whose father had given Shinji a cursed book in an attempt to eliminate him, for instance).

"I think we should accept the fact it will probably thrive and let one of us lead it," Shinji said, after giving the issue some thought.

"By one of us, you mean you," Hillard commented dryly.

"Well, yes," the boy from the east admitted, shaking his head. "It's not as if we can claim we're too busy, since the Stone Cutter Society as a whole doesn't have something its training for at the moment. Even if you're Watch Captain, Harry is receiving tutoring from Snape, and I'm learning from Flitwick, while the Twins keep experimenting with new charms, we don't seem to have too much going on as a group. Plus there's that old saying – 'Keep your friends close, and your enemies closer.'"

Harry perked up at the last line, smiling wryly as he heard it.

"Was that said by a former Slytherin?"

"No, actually," Shinji commented, remembering that he'd heard it from Hijiri, who'd mentioned that the one who'd first said it was... "Sun Tzu, the strategist who wrote The Art of War."

"Huh…Cho mentioned that once or twice," Hillard chimed in. "I'm afraid I'm not entirely familiar with works from the East. Especially…I think it's a Muggle work? Matou, do you know?"

"I don't, actually," Shinji admitted. "I'm not as well versed in Chinese history – especially its magical history – as I'd like to be. Japan isn't the same as China, you know."

"Fair enough," Hillard conceded. "It's just, there isn't much we in Magical Europe know about Asia in general, aside from the few magic carpets that came our way through Turkey. We know a few things about herbs here and there, and about dragons like the Chinese Fireball when they migrate, but that's about it. Though from what you've said before, I understand that an animal like the Crumple-Horned Snorkack actually exists in the East? I thought that was just something the Quibbler made up."

"It's very, very rare, but yes, it exists," Shinji confirmed. "It's said to only appear when an illustrious ruler or sage is about to be born into the world. Or before one dies."

"…well, that explains why we've never seen it in Magical Europe, with how many times we've mismanaged interspecies relations in the last few centuries," Hillard quipped, snorting back a laugh. "Huh, you learn something every day, I guess. Anyway, I'd be inclined to agree that Lockhart's organization is a good idea – if we do have some involvement."

"Harry, that alright with you?" Shinji asked.

"Ah, yes. That should be fine." Harry sighed, frowning slightly. "It's just that, I kind of wonder what this year would have been like if Sokaris lived, you know? There are just so many things I would have wanted to say – wanted to ask. But I'll never get the chance…"

Something clicked in Shinji's mind at that moment – the answer to a quandary of his making itself clear in Harry's innocent question.

"Make one then," the boy from the east said softly, with the rest of the Stone Cutters looking at him. "Write her a letter, even if she's not around, saying what you would have wanted to say, telling her the things you wanted her to know. I know I'll write one. The rest of you should too."

"And what would we do with them?" Hillard asked.

"I'll take them with me to Japan, and burn them at a shrine," Shinji answered, closing his eyes. "That way, the smoke will carry our words to her in the next life, as the papers crumble and release the messages once bound to them."

Well, he wouldn't really burn them, given that she probably would want to read them, but he was bound by geas not to reveal that she was alive, so this was the best he could do.

"...I could do that," Fred said slowly.

"She did do a lot for us," George noted.

"It's only right to show respect," both of them said together.

"Alright – I assume we'll also want to add a copy of the paper where our Orders of Merlin were announced, as well a picture of us?" Hillard inquired. "I can take care of that part." He grunted then. "So you're definitely going to Japan for the Holidays then?"

"Yeah, I have to go back – I have some commitments back at Mahoutokoro."

"Well, if you do, you do. Probably safer that way too, without the risk of running into Black."

"Too bad. Mum –"

"—and Gingin—"

"—would have loved to have you visit," the Twins added. "Though little Harrikins will be busy at Greengrass manor."

"Well, beats being invited to Malfoy manor," Harry said with a grimace. "And yes, Draco did invite me, but thankfully I'll be elsewhere."

Fred made a face at the name, given that the Weasley and Malfoy families had never really gotten along.

"Good thing you're the boss of Slytherin, eh?" George commented. "Invites from everyone. Probably even some people wanting arranged marriages."

"Yeah, you're the Heir and a Parselmouth," Fred added. "So even Malfoy has to respect that."

"Well, I hope," Harry said, noting that even if they respected him, it didn't stop them from striking at his friends. "For now, we have peace, but how long it will last..."

"Gentlemen, that's why we're here," Hillard summed up. "To stand as an example to the Houses that peace is possible, and that together we can be heroes. Well, in a certain Miltonesque light, maybe, even if our white hats are stained."

"Hey, at least we're not in the business of dominion," Shinji commented, a wry smile playing over his lips. "Anyway, thanks everyone. It's been a good year, overall. Let's hope for a good holiday and a great spring, eh?"

Shinji would come to wonder if winter would be good after all when he received a letter from his Master the following day. As usual, Aozaki Touko was to the point, laying out the logistics of where she'd meet him and such, though she'd also mentioned receiving a forwarded invitation to the funeral of Emiya Kiritsugu, and had closed her missive with the dreaded words: "Matou. We need to talk."