CHAPTER 7 - AUTUMN BREAK

Two things happened during the next two weeks. Both equally frustrating for Light.

1. His application for books from a restricted area got denied.

2. Lawliet started ignoring him in classes.

Unfortunately, Light couldn't link these two events together, because Lawliet started ignoring him the next day after his application, but… the headmaster Ruvie was out of Hogwarts at that time, so there was no way Lawliet knew about it.

The denial came yesterday, right after the headmaster came back from his journey. And autumn break starts tomorrow. Light was happy about it. He seriously needed a break. 7th year was the hardest so far. Add the emotional tension from Lawliet's class, Light's long evening studies of magic wands and you get a 17 years old boy who was getting to the point of exhaustion.

At least he didn't have any DADA class on Friday. He was getting pissed off by Lawliet again. This time the reason was very opposite. From the incident with Takada's shield, Lawliet started ignoring him. Not completely ofcourse. That would be highly unprofessional. He just stopped pushing him in a different direction. Which was even more frustrating. Even when Lawliet stopped commenting on his magic out loud, his fucking scent was talking for him. And Light was obviously doing things all wrong but he was not even worthy of any advice anymore. It was like Lawliet gave up on Light. And Light fucking hated that feeling.

Things were even worse for Light to cope with, because everyone else was getting better by each class. And Light was stuck in a place. The worst it was with Misa Amane. She was doing mile steps with her magic. And Lawliet was constantly helping her and giving her as a model to the others. Amane was in 7th heaven because her beloved Lawli, how she was calling him, was paying attention to her. Light's blood was boiling in his veins when he saw it. He wanted his attention. He wanted to be his favourite. And he wanted his scent away from Amane.

Light rubbed his eyes with his palm in desperation.

His inner omega was talking again.

It was ridiculous. There was no reason for him to want Lawliet away from Amane. Just because he found his scent attractive, didn't mean he should be jealous.

Damn I really need that vacation.

L and Watari started preparing the DADA classroom for their upcoming task as soon as the train with students left Hogwarts. L turned all the tables into the size of his thumb and Watari placed magical protective artefacts into a circle. When they were ready, L stepped into its centre and Watari conjured the revelare spell. In a few seconds he was able to see all the spells L got on himself in colorful layers. But even so, as he started taking down spell by spell he soon realized that he doesn't see all of them. Some of the spells and charms were hidden under layers of others. Watari was frowning at that. It was him who thought L using long term magic and adding magic layers around himself, but L obviously managed to drive it to extremes.

Watari was dismissing one spell by another. But he was careful. He was worried that discharging some of these spells might hurt L. God knew this boy had a lot to cope with in his life and he did not manage very well. And because he was a great wizard he simply used magic to cope with things. Watari lost count on how many spells and charms L was using some time ago. L was not a small boy anymore Watari could not watch over him every step of the way. But right now, as he was looking at this young man, practically cloaked in the light of all the magic layers, he couldn't help but see him as a small boy. A boy who was afraid to fight his demons and who was hiding behind his magic. Watari could only hope that no one would ever discharge all these spells away from L. Because he was quite sure the boy wouldn't be able to survive long without them.

"I swear dad! It's true! He doesn't even need to hold a wand. His wand is making the magic by itself!" Sayu was telling her dad all the news and stories from the school when Light came down for breakfast. He was sleeping longer than usual, so the family was already eating. But he was so tired, that he didn't even care about his daily schedule.

"Light tell him! Dad doesn't believe me." Sayu yelled as soon as she spotted her brother.

Light nodded and sat down to the table. He wasn't exactly happy that Lawliet was the first topic that was starting his day.

Soichiro raised an eyebrow as he was squeezing the lemon into his morning tea: "Interesting… I mean, I worked with Lawliet before, but never in the field, so I didn't see what kind of magic he is using. I've never heard about anything like that."

Sayu was still enthusiastically telling all she knew while using grand hands gestures: "He said that he's studying magic wands and that there is much more to the bond between wizard and wand then we all think."

Soichiro was surprised again: "Does he? And is he teaching you these things?"

Sayu only shook her head: "No… He said that our level of magic must be much higher. But he helped me stabilize my Patronus. I am able to hold the charm without effort now!"

"That's amazing honey! You will see that soon enough you will be as good as Light!" Sachiko said and caressed Light's back.

Light smiled. His mum was great. She was a muggle but she did the best to study Wizarding World and magic even when she couldnt use it. Just so she can talk to her children and provide them with at least theoretical support.

"Good job." Soichiro nodded and then shifted his attention to his unusually silent son:

"What about you Light, how do you like your new teacher?"

Light almost choked on his apple juice.

"I...He's alright."

Soichiro raised an eyebrow: "Just alright? You were much more enthusiastic about having an auror teacher before the start of the year."

"You knew he was coming?" Sayu gasped and her eyes were ticking between Light and her father.

"He is… different than I expected." Light said and ignored Sayu's question. But Sayu kept meddling into their conversation:

"He is! We all thought he was gonna be old and he is so young and quite attractive!"

Sachiko was silently chucking at her coffee while Soichiro frowned at that. But Light was honestly surprised with her opinion:

"I thought you were into blondes Sayu…"

The girl shrugged: "Yeah, sure but, if I liked a man with dark hair I would definitely fall for him. Actually… I would say he might be your type. He is the same as your Teru Mikami."

"No he's not!" Light took offence.

"Light, I didn't know you are dating someone…" Sachiko said and eyed her son, full of anticipation.

"Because I am not. Mikami is just a friend."

"Oh come on… he is practically eating you with his eyes. Everyone is talking about that." Sayu opposed.

Light was getting pissed again. And it was just breakfast.

Great.

He knew Sayu was in a difficult age, but he was not used to dealing with it. At school he was able to keep his distance and escape from her constant gossip. Light wanted to send her to hell, but luckily their father spoke before he could lose his face:

"That's enough. I don't wanna discuss these things while I am eating. And Sayu I don't wanna hear you talking this way about your teacher."

Sayu let out a long sigh and turned back to her breakfast. Also Light turned his attention to his oath meal bowl but his mind started to wander. He couldn't help, but compare Lawliet and Mikami in his mind. On the first sight they might be seen as similar types but they really weren't. Teru was stoic, he had something elegant in his movements and he had very seductive eyes. Lawliet on the other hand was always slouched, he looked like a frog, his face was too sharp and his eyes too big. But Light liked how small wrinkles were appearing around his eyes when he was laughing. And the sound of his laughter always made his heart skip a beat. Lawliet was definitely not beautiful. But there was something about him, that made Light's lips turn into a soft dreamy smile.

After the second day, L started having a headache and felt a little dizzy. He was really happy that they were packing it up for the night, because he needed to sleep. Although, he was not sure if he would be able to, given the fact that his charm to mitigate nightmares was already down.

"Oh L… I forgot to tell you…" Watari started as he was giving him a plate with cake: "...I was talking to Roger yesterday and he said that Light Yagami required borrowing books from a restricted area."

"And?" L raised an eyebrow and didn't see any reason he should be interested in this information.

"He wanted to study books and scrolls on the topic of magic wands. And he wrote into the application that it's on your suggestion."

L chucked: "Look at him… the boy definitely knows how to get what he wants. Reminds me of his father."

Watari nodded and he was silent for a moment, thinking: "Well except that he didn't. Roger denied his request."

L put down his cake fork and eyed Watari: "Why? The boy could only benefit from it."

"Because of your suspicion that Kira has hands amongst students he is denying all the requests. He is afraid that some powerful knowledge might end up in wrong hands."

L rolled his eyes: "Thats stupid Quillsh! I am also teaching these kids how to use powerful magic and any of them could turn into a weapon in the hands of Kira."

Watari sat in the opposite chair and he was stoic as always: "As far as I know, you are teaching them only within the range of school curriculum. These books are high above it."

L stuffed some cake into his mouth and mumbled: "If I was studying only the things in school curriculum in Yagami's age I would sit in the Misuse of Muggle Artefacts office."

"Yes, but if I remember right, I rejected your requests too. But you stole the invisibility cloak away from me and you started stealing books from the Restricted area."

L couldn't help but smile at the memory. He ended up cleaning dragon pits for two months on summer holidays because of it. He looked at Watari who was smiling too, but his eyes were scolding him.

"Well maybe I should steal the cloak again, and borrow it to Yagami." L joked.

"Don't you dare. Roger has enough problems with explaining your methods to the ministry. We don't need more trouble than is necessary."

L stood up from his seat and headed to the staircase to his bed room:

"Okay whatever… but Yagami is going to blame me for the denial."

"I thought you don't care what everyone thinks of you."

"I don't. But this boy is seriously starting to be the pain in my ass."

L said and closed the door behind him. When he aloned, he couldn't help but smirk. L must have admitted that he was impressed. He didn't expect Yagami to snap out of his bubble sooner than Christmas. Maybe there was something within him after all.

Light was sitting on the window sill and looking out at the falling rain, when Soichiro came in. Light didn't close the door to his room. And he also wasn't reading as he told them he is going to. There was something bothering him. He was not himself.

"Light is something the matter?"

The boy turned his head to his father, who was standing by the door. He forced a smile: "No dad. What makes you think so?"

Soichiro shrugged and came in: "I don't know… I just thought you will be sitting down with us and telling us about all the new things you've learned and you are sitting here alone instead."

Light opened and closed his mouth: "I… I am just a little tired that's all."

Soichiro let out a long sigh and went to sit on the boy's bed: "Light… come on, what is happening?"

Light wasn't really surprised that his dad noticed. They had a very close relationship and they were working on it for years. So there was no point in lying to him or denying something. So Light closed his eyes and let his head lean against the window frame:

"It's just… It's DADA… I am stuck in a place while everyone else is getting better. If things will go like that, everyone will be on my level and I will be just an average wizard."

Soichiro shook his head slowly: "Light that's not gonna happen. You are the most hard working person I've ever met. I am sure that if you have some problems now, it will pass. You will be able to suppress them all."

Light's shoulders fell. He was trying hard as always, but it wasn't working at Lawliet's classes.

"According to Lawliet I am apparently not good enough."

"He told you that?" Soichiro frowned. He could imagine L saying something like that with his cocky attitude. He could act like a damn bastard sometimes. Soichiro just hoped he would have a little more self control while working with children.

Light shook his head: "No… Not directly. But he is constantly pushing me to do my magic differently and I don't know how."

"Light...you don't have to do anything differently. Everyone knows you are doing your best. You already have an invitation from the Auror's office. All you need is to keep your score and find a mate."

Light was on his legs within a second and started pacing the room.

"Yes, that's enough to get there. But I need to be better than that to actually work there!"

Soichiro understood his point. He was proud that his son's ego was not clouding his mind.

"If that's how you see it then perhaps you should ask Lawliet for help."

Light's voice went higher and he sounded truly desperate: "And how could he help me? He tried to tell me what to do in class but it simply doesn't work!"

Soichiro raised an eyebrow. That was not Light's typical behaviour. Light was usually able to refrain from emotional outbursts even when he was in his preheat phase. But no one was perfect and this matter seems to bother Light very much. So Soichiro decided to let it go:

"Ask him for private lessons then…"

Light stopped pacing: "What?"

Soichiro stood up and faced his son: "I am sure he will not refuse… If he has a wizard with your potential in his hands, he will surely agree."

Light opened and closed his mouth. Then he bit his lower lip:

"I don't know dad… I never needed private lessons… and Lawliet is… He is…"

Soichiro put hand on Light shoulder to calm him down a little:

"He is a little bit strange but he is a great wizard. I am sure he will make time for you if you ask him."

Light nodded: "I'll think about it."

At that moment, they both heard quick steps running up the stairs. Within a second, Sayu was in the door and she waved with a letter:

"Light guess what! Guess what?!"

Light rolled his eyes: "What?"

"I just got a message from Mello! Near presented! As an omega! You are no longer the only male omega in Ravenclaw house! Isn't it amazing?" She was shining with excitement but Light didnt see anything to be excited about. Also Soichiro was not feeling comfortable about this topic and decided to leave the room. Before he disappeared in the corridor he shot Light an apologetic look. Light turned back to Sayu:

"I fail to see what's so amazing about it. I might lose my private bedroom!"

She rolled her eyes and jumped into Light's bed: "You're a prefect! Surely you won't lose your bedroom!"

Light went back to his windowsill pillow and sat there:

"I still don't see what's amazing about Near being an omega."

"He will bond with Matt ofcourse! And I will finally have Mello for myself."

Light chucked: "Because he is an omega he will automatically bond with Matt who hasn't even presented yet?"

Sayu rolled her eyes dramatically: "Nooo… But Near is closer with Matt than Mello is… So I know Mello will not want to bond with Near!"

"And what if Mello will want to bond with Matt?"

Sayu folded her hands on her chest: "He won't. I'll make sure Matt will be with Near."

"You are unbelievable." Light shook his head and took his book, ready to ignore his little sister.

"There is nothing wrong about knowing what I want. That's what you thought me, brother." She said and stood up straight, obviously very proud of herself.

"Yeah… And chasing after Mello was totally what I meant by it."

L felt the sharp pain coming through his bond mark the moment the dark wizard without face used his wand against him. It was like his whole life strength was leaving his body through his bite mark. But that wasn't the worst. He also felt the pain and struggling of the other person. His mate. He couldn't see their face but the person was stretching out their hand towards him.

"Please…L… save me." the person pleaded with a voice that wasn't concrete.

L tried to do something. He tried to defy the dark magic that was flowing through his body, but he couldn't. He was completely defenceless. And his mate was pleading all over again:

"My love please… save me."

L couldn't handle it anymore. He felt the love of his life dying and he started screaming. But there was nothing he could do. Only a second before he felt his heart beating for the last time, he felt his mate died through their bond. At that moment he realized that it was not the dark wizard who stopped his heart. It was the death of his mate that killed him.

L's eyes shot open and he abruptly sat up on his bed as he woke up from the nightmare. He was covered by sweat and he was panting. He stood up and quickly took a glass of water. When he drank all of it, he showed his head into a sink and turned on a cold water. He stayed under the flow for more than two minutes. His hair was soaked and falling to his face, water was flowing to his nose, so he had to breath with his mouth. Then he finally started calming down. When he felt his brain freezing, he turned off the water and looked up at himself to the mirror. He looked as bad as he always did. But his eyes were different. More scared and shattered. He shook his head while thinking:

I am never letting this happen. Never.

Watari was working on discharging all L's magic for three days and he was still not getting to the bottom of the pile. He knew it was hard for the boy. He heard him screaming from his sleep last night. They were not normally living in the same part of the castle, but Watari insisted on staying by L's side, in case something goes wrong. And after the second day, when Watari took off the charm that was mitigating nightmares, L started screaming from his sleep. That sound took air from Watari's lungs. He almost forgot how things were when L was younger.

It was the third day already and L was practically only able to lay on the floor of the classroom, in the middle of a protective circle. That day, Watari got to a layer of easy spells. Like the spell that prevents someone from recording whatever L was saying, or a charm that changed L's image on the photographic film into the image of someone else. Those were just small pieces of L's defence. In front of them were still those that L's life was practically depending on. Like the one that helped him keep his sugar on a healthy level. Or the one Watari invented, that saved L from Cruciatus, but also damaged his leg. Watari was going very slowly when discharging these and he always waited to be sure, L can survive without them, before moving to another one.

It was almost evening again, when he got through another level, a new charm appeared, glowing around L in red color. It was obviously the last one.

Watari frowned. He was surprised that L was using this particular one. Watari was not even aware that L knew about its existence:

"L… why are you using a spell that is blocking a scent of a soulmate?"

"Just to be sure…" L said with a tired voice.

"About what?"

"That I wont bump into them." He was just staring at the ceiling. He was too tired and too much in pain to explain himself into more details.

"L… that's extremely stupid and you know it. There is not a spell you could use to prevent your soulmate from smelling you, unless they are using the same spell on themselves, so in other words, if you bump into your soulmate, they would immediately know you belong with them."

L let out a long sigh. So Watari was obviously not going to let it be: "I know that. But… as you know, soulmate studies have not been a school subject for over a century now, so most of the people don't have any idea that soulmates can smell each other even through the suppressant magic. That's what I am counting on."

Watari shook his head in disapproval: "In other words, even if you found a soulmate and knew it was them, you would never tell them."

"Yes."

Watari took a few steps closer into the protective circle and overshadowed lying L: "I still can't see why you would deny yourself finding a soulmate. Do you realize how lucky you would be? Soulmates are extremely rare these days and the magic that surrounds them is one of the strongest and oldest in the world."

L slowly shifted into sitting position and he didn't meet Watari's eyes:

"You know my reasons. There is no point in discussing that. I am not changing my mind."

Watari bended down to L and placed his hand on the boy's shoulder: "L… because your mother died through a bond with her soulmate doesn't mean you should deny yourself to be happy."

L finally turned to him and his eyes were full of anger and pain:

"I am not bonding with anyone Watari! End of discussion! Now if you think I am able to spend another night without this spell on, just get it off and let's pack it up for today."