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 27 Winterstürme wichen dem Wonnemond
For most of the students, the week of cancelled classes was a blessing. Even if Headmaster Dumbledore was dead, it didn't immediately concern them, since he'd been a fairly old man when he'd died at the age of 111, and their only real interaction with him were his odd speeches and behavior at the Feasts. Plus, Magical Britain was at peace, so it wasn't as if they needed him to protect them against grave threat – and even when he'd been around, it hadn't been he – or the teachers - who had vanquished the troll. It hadn't been he who had stopped the Dark Wizard who had snuck into Hogwarts.
It had been Harry Potter and his chosen few, along with the late Sialim Sokaris and Quirinus Quirrell, in the latter case.
So they still felt safe enough, especially as they assumed the old man had died in his sleep. Foul play or other such would have been in the news, wouldn't it?
And so most of them spent their time talking to friends, sleeping in, playing Quidditch, or in some cases, finishing the homework they'd somehow forgotten to do over the winter holidays. A few, whose families had never liked the man, even celebrated – though these tended to be small, low-key affairs, since was generally considered uncouth to be merry over someone's death.
For Matou Shinji however, the reprieve was no reprieve at all, given that he – like the rest of the Stone Cutters – was shuttled from one memorial service, special tribute or gathering to another that week, without much room for rest.
There was the wake held by the Order of Merlin, of course, honoring the life of one of the greatest among them.
The state funeral held by the Ministry of Magic.
The special ceremony held by the Most Extraordinary Society of Potioneers where Hector Dagworth-Granger, the Society's leader, conferred a Lifetime Achievement Award upon the late Headmaster (said award was accepted by a somewhat disgruntled man that Shinji later learned was Aberforth Dumbledore, the Headmaster's estranged brother).
A full meeting of the Dark Forces Defense League, which served two purposes: honoring Dumbledore's achievements, with a special focus on his efforts in the conflicts against Grindelwald and Voldemort, as well as formally inducting Harry Potter into the League for his defeat of Voldemort and his continued dedication to opposing the Dark Arts.
…to Shinji's surprise, Gilderoy Lockhart had been chosen to give the keynote at that event, no less, where he had spoken of how it was not the situations people were born into but the choices that they made that mattered, their choices to go above and beyond the call of the ordinary that elevated them into champions, heroes, legends…and how fortunate the wizarding world was that as one legend passed after a rich life full of accomplishment, another was coming into his own.
There were events held by the Medieval Assembly of European Wizards, the British Wizard Dueling Association, and more. Even Honeydukes, the nationally famous sweetshop, jumped in, announcing the retirement of the old Albus Dumbledore Chocolate Frog Card, and the launch of a new commemorative card with a limited run to replace it – with the Stone Cutters receiving the first five of these in the world (specially marked and numbered, no less).
One ceremony after the next. One event after another, with no time to rest, no time to think, no time to decompress after hours and hours in dress robes, only enough to eat and perform other necessary bodily functions like sleep and go to the bathroom before the cycle began all over again.
So it went for a week, with a national icon and his coterie serving as a visible symbol that Dumbledore's spirit lived on in his students, all culminating – finally – in a grand memorial ceremony, which involved all of Hogwarts.
Professor McGonagall, the acting Headmaster, gave a long eulogy for the great wizard, as the Prefects, commanded by their Watch Captain, stood by as an Honor Guard, bearing the colors of the four houses, with the Head Boy and Head Girl bearing the flag and seal of Hogwarts itself.
The four Seekers of the Hogwarts Quidditch teams performed an aerial salute to honor the fallen warrior who had fought on the side of the light, using their brooms to perform what in modern times would be called the missing man flyby.
The Hogwarts Orchestra and Choir, led by maestro Filius Flitwick, played two songs – the Hogwarts School Song, which the Headmaster had been fond of in better days, and In Nocte, a more mournful tune to mark his passing.
"Ferte in noctem animam meam," they sang – carry my soul into the night.
"Illustrent stellae viam meam" – may the stars light my way.
"Aspectu illo glorior" – I glory in the sight.
"Dum capit nox diem" – As darkness takes the day.
"Cantate vitae canticum" – Sing a song, a song of life
"Sine dolore actae" – Lived without regret
"Dicite eis quos amabam" – Tell the ones I loved
"Me nunquam obliturum" – I will never forget.
As we will never forget.
Following the musical tribute, the Hit Wizard detachment assigned to Hogwarts, commanded by famed Auror Alastor Moody, performed a 19 wand salute, lighting up the sky with magical fireworks in the shape of swooping, soaring phoenixes. For they knew, more than most, how fragile life was, how easily it ended – and how wondrous new life could be.
They were the few. They were the proud. They were the ones who stepped into the darkness, the thin red line which stood between Magical Britain and the threats in the shadows. And they knew how many of them fell in the line of duty.
To die of old age in the line of work was a mercy, and an honor, one that Dumbledore deserved more than most for his tireless work.
And then the ceremonies were over, along with Matou Shinji's week of hell.
That weekend, he finally found time to give the others his gifts, with reactions that were generally expected. The twins took to Pocky with enthusiasm, as most did to sweets. Hillard, as a dutiful prefect, thanked Shinji for something that would help him recover from the week of networking, public appearances and ceremonial drills, but then turned around and shared his stash of sweets with any Ravenclaw who wanted to try some of the exotic treats from the east – among which numbered Cho Chang, the Seeker of Ravenclaw, who was given a fish-eyed stare by Penelope Clearwater.
Harry had deeply touched that Shinji had gone out of his way to procure an amulet of protection for him, and had promised to take care of it – and of himself. Which was good, because Shinji thought that he'd probably lose most of the influence he'd gained if Harry were to do something reckless and get himself killed…and well, he'd miss the other boy.
Professors Snape and Flitwick had grunted and thanked him, but were otherwise clearly distracted by Professor Dumbledore's death to really say much. For them, even gifts weren't something that brought them too much happiness at the moment, if for different reasons. Flitwick merely had the loss of a friend to contend with. Snape had the loss of someone who was more than that - someone he'd been loyal to, someone he'd trusted to stand against the Dark Lord if - when he returned.
Only to have that trust betrayed.
Still, Hermione Granger, who was feeling a bit numb at the death of the Headmaster, was cheered a bit by her gift - not for the fact that it was chocolate, as much as the fact that Matou had gone out of his way to get her something else.
"…you didn't have to do this, Matou," she protested quietly, looking down as the two stood in the corridor that led to the study rooms. "You already gave me that book – Most Potente Potions, and a magic chest big enough to store my whole library."
"I wanted to, Hermione," Shinji replied, pressing the beautifully wrapped package into her hands. "Besides, you made me chocolate last Valentine's Day, right? I never did get you something in return, so consider this a belated White Day gift. Something from my home."
Hermione's breath caught in her throat at this declaration, and she looked up, startled, to see that the boy seemed quite sincere. Drawn by his smile, she stepped forward and threw her arms around him, catching him in an enthusiastic hug.
"Thank you…Shinji," she murmured, with her head upon his shoulder. "Thank you…"
He'd remembered. Not only had he gotten her a most interesting book as a Christmas gift – and where he'd gotten it, she didn't know – but he'd gone through the trouble of picking out something so nice for her from Japan.
It was…unexpectedly sweet, like many of the things that drew her to him like a moth to a flame.
'No…that's a bad analogy. Matou…wouldn't hurt me, right? Even if he shines so very brightly…'
Bright enough that the thought of standing beside him was difficult. It was odd, really. She was used to being the smartest – or at least the best read – person in a room, used to people praising her for what she knew. But she was coming to understand that it wasn't what she knew that was important, because she knew more in the way of facts – at least those written in books – but how she applied that knowledge, and whether she had a mind willing to learn new things.
The spirit of Zygmunt Budge, who inhabited the Book of Potions, had been merciless about drilling that lesson into her head. As quickly as she could learn, she still sometimes argued or debated with the spirit about what recipes to use, given that she had memorized what was written down in her textbooks by heart, and they differed from his notes. Only for him to ask her why her books had written down the instructions they did, who the audience was, and how the potions usually turned out.
…to which she had to admit that even when she followed the instructions of her books precisely, she never got the results described.
Budge explained to her that mere textbooks tended to…simplify material and condense steps, with a focus on safety instead of exceptional quality, and that what they said should not be taken at face value but cross-referenced and tested them, which was how he had become "the greatest potion-maker ever born." Naturally, this (unsubstantiated) claim of greatness rubbed Hermione the wrong way, but given that his recipes were providing excellent results – good enough that even Professor Snape had nothing ill to say about her potions, she had held her tongue.
…at least about that. She had rather more issues with Budge's other claim: that her obsession with Matou Shinji was unhealthy, as well as his "helpful" suggestion that if she desired him so much, she might as well just brew a potion to win his affection and be done with it.
She'd categorically refused, saying that wouldn't be fair to Matou, that if he chose her, she wanted it to be real and not based on a lie. It wouldn't be right otherwise, she explained to the book.
And it seemed maybe…just maybe, her hopes were finally paying off. After all, he'd remembered her, brought her something when he didn't have to – just because he wanted to.
That night, Hermione Granger had wonderful dreams. Dreams full of laughter, joy and happiness. Dreams of hope. Dreams of love.
The following morning, Shinji found himself waking early, as he was wont to do while at Hogwarts, since he didn't like performing his morning routine when anyone else was around. Even after a year and a half, the idea of being so utterly vulnerable was anathema to him. Well, most of the time. Still, given how it was the weekend, and most people slept in, he didn't run into anyone until he came – fully dressed – down into the Common Room, where he heard a familiar voice echoing from the chairs by the fireplace.
Sure enough, Luna Lovegood was curled up on one of the armchairs, her silvery eyes looking down at an ornately illustrated book of Japanese myths – the book he'd sent her for Christmas.
"Leaping from the depths of the river, they attempted to reach the top of the waterfall to no avail. They knew it was hopeless, yet still they jumped, their efforts catching the attention of the local yokai, who made the waterfall taller out of malice."
'…that sounds like the legend of the Koi…'
The magical carp that refused to give up, and by leaping over the Dragon's Gate – the tallest of waterfalls – became a great dragon. That was how he saw himself sometimes, as a koi in mid-leap, hurling himself higher and higher, despite what others had to say, in the hope that one day, he would become great.
Her voice continued to echo in the room, drawing him closer with its melodic tones.
"But they would not be deterred, jumping, and jumping for almost one hundred years. Until, with the last of his strength, a koi reached the top of the waterfall – and was changed into a shining golden dragon, bound to earth no longer." Her voice trailed off and she looked up, smiling crookedly at the boy. "Hullo, Matou Shinji. Finished with your leaping about?"
Shinji half-snorted, shaking his head as he came over and sat down next to her.
"Hello Luna," he replied. "And yes, for the week." Then he sighed, remembering something. "Well, except for talking with Lockhart, that is."
For a moment they were silent together, before he started wondering what she'd been up to this week, since she hadn't needed to attend all the events he did.
"And you?" he asked.
"Exploring the hidden room," she commented, leaning her head against his shoulder. "Sleepwalking sometimes – it's why I wear shoes to bed. Oh, and doing some work for Dad."
"Oh? And what does your father do?" Shinji asked, intrigued.
"Oh, he's the editor of the Quibbler," Luna replied. "The magazine you read with the Crumple-Horned Snorkack in it."
"Ah, the one which said Harry fought the evil Defense Professor last year?" he teased, remembering one of their first conversations.
"The very same, yes. I wrote an article on Dumbledore and the Deathly Hallows."
Shinji blinked, his head whipping about as his grey eyes met pale silvery orbs.
"…the Hallows, you say?" he inquired. That was not a topic that usually came up in conversation. "What about them?"
"Oh, how, given he was the one to find the Headmaster, Professor Snape is probably the new master of the Elder Wand," the girl answered enigmatically as always. "The Headmaster took it from Grindelwald after their famous duel, you know. It's why You-Know-Who always feared him."
"…I see," Shinji said, blinking. There were reasons why he enjoyed spending time with Luna, but the girl had a habit of discomfiting him so. And well, he had a feeling Luna wasn't wrong about this. "You said Hallows though, not just a Hallow."
"Oh yes," Luna replied. "What do you know of the Resurrection Stone?"
It was all Shinji could do to keep a straight face, given that Tomas had mentioned he'd used to own it. And given who Tomas had been derived from, it was probably too much to hope it hadn't come into play.
"Not too much, actually," he said. "Just that it can summon the spirits of the dead into the world of the living."
"Indeed," she affirmed. "It is said every owner of the Stone has killed himself out of grief, after finding that they cannot truly raise the dead – and more, that those they summon suffer from being forced into this world."
"…you think Dumbledore found the Resurrection Stone," Shinji breathed, eyes wide. "That he…killed himself?"
Luna nodded solemnly.
"That's…" he couldn't think of what to say, his mouth dry as he considered the implications of such a possibility.
'…if Professor Snape found him…does that mean Snape…has the Resurrection Stone too?'
"Wrackspurts on your mind, Matou Shinji?" his companion asked, leaning forward to press her forehead against his. "You don't seem to have a fever."
"…I…I don't," he managed after a few moments, flushing a bit. "I…I just missed you this week."
It was a somewhat abrupt change of topic, but the girl smiled even so.
"That's the first time anyone has said that, too."
"I haven't exactly had the chance before, since we spend our mornings together most days," Shinji commented wryly.
"Mm."
"Oh…I have something for you," he remembered then, reaching into the mokeskin pouch he carried with him and withdrawing the tin of Shiroi Koibito cookies. "Here. They're from Japan."
She closed her book and set it down before taking the tin from his hands.
"Candy?"
"Cookies. Try one."
She proceeded to do so, her slim fingers opening the tin and one of the packages within to reveal the white chocolate confection. She took a tentative bite, and then another, closing her eyes as she savored the flavor of it in her mouth.
"Delicious," she said, seeming every bit like a spirit of nature rendering her judgement. "Thank you."
"Of course. I'm happy you like it," Shinji said. An errant thought came to his mind, and he smiled, thinking she'd like it. "Oh, since you're coming to Japan sometime, you should know that if you like something, the word is 'suki', or 'daisuki' if you like something a lot."
"I see," she said, as she leaned in and kissed him on the cheek, her lips whispering something against his skin that he couldn't quite make out.
"W-what was that for?" he stammered, once his blush had gotten to be something less than luminescent red.
"Oh, I don't know," Luna quipped idly, her lips curving into a mysterious smile. "Must have been the Nargles."
A/N: The title translates to "Winter storms have given way to the moon's delight", in case you were wondering.