CHAPTER 31 - THE DECISION

There was not much time to think about it really. The first class was about to start in 20 minutes and Light was left with practically no time to think his decision through and prepare himself. But he could analyse everything later. Now he needed to figure out the 1st grade's curriculum and before that, find Misa. Thinking about his conflicted feelings had to wait.

Luckily, finding Misa was the easier task. She was in the great hall, sitting by Griffindors' table together with Mello, Sayu and those other two from their group. Light found this combination a bit strange at the first sight, but didn't think about it further. He moved forward and ignored all the looks other students shot in his direction.

"Light!" he heard Sayu's happy voice when he got close enough. Everyone turned to him and Misa, who was sitting with her back to him, stood up from the bench and quickly hugged him with a squeak: "Light! It's good to see you again."

Light felt too numb to point out that they've seen each other like 20 minutes ago. He was just concentrating on the task in hand so he untangled himself from Misa's limbs and said: "Misa, I need your help. Lawliet appointed me as a substitute for the younglings and I need a teaching partner. You were authorised by him and our own classes will be excused." He said matter of factly.

There was a pause when everyone was struck dumb. Even a few people from around turned to look at Light in disbelief. The first one to come to his senses was Mello: "What?! You are his substitute?! What the… OUCH!" he didn't have the opportunity to finish that thought because Sayu stepped on his feet under the table. He shot her a naughty look, but surprisingly stayed silent.

"That's great Light! The best post for the best student!" the little Yagami said enthusiastically, but everyone knew she was pushing it a bit hard this time. Luckily, Near helped her immediately, agreeing: "Congratulations, that's a great honour."

"Thank you." Light said, without any emotions and turned back to Misa who was still gaping at him.

"The first class is starting in 15' so I would need your decision now." He continued and watched Misa's face lighting up.

"Lawliet authorised me?!" She asked so loudly that probably everyone in the hall heard it.

Light was trying to stay calm and repeated: "Yes and we only have a little time so…" but he never finished the sentence because Misa spoke up again: "15 minutes?! Damn it! We gotta have to improvise! I don't know anything about teaching! We have to hurry to the class and…" the group didn't hear the rest of her rattling, because she took Light by the hand and pulled him behind her when running out of the hall.

There was a moment of silence, when the group was looking after them, as well as the rest of the hall. Then they faced each other with baffled expressions.

"L authorised him as a substitute teacher?!" Mello hissed and whispered at the same time, with a totally confused expression. "Why would he do that?! In this situation?!"

Matt was only gaping at that and even Sayu seemed to be rendered speechless. Their minds were creating the wildest theories, why L would do something like that. But none of them was brave enough to speak up. So in the end the one who reacted was surprisingly Near: "Good luck dissolving this rumour."

That ironic sentence brought even greater puzzlement to their faces.

One would lose a sense of time and space with the speed they were portkey-ing themselves from place to place. One, but L Lawliet. From the moment he met A's contact, the man was taking him from portkey to portkey, changing their locations and trying to mask where they were actually heading. But that didn't work. L usually needed just a few glimpses around to realise where he was. There were cues everywhere: architectural style, newspapers, signs in the streets. So even when they jumped over 5 continents and back during the last 24 hours, L remembered all their locations and was able to draw a map inside his mind. Even when it was probably pointless - he was sure their strange path didn't mean a thing. It was meant to distract him. But L's mind didn't lose its sharpness for a single second. He was currently following his contact - tall male beta, through streets of Shanghai and he decided to start a conversation. Again. From the first moment they started the journey he asked the man questions and was purposely annoying. It worked well because the longer he was trying, the more agitated the man got. Once, after his guide practically growled at him in annoyance, L realised he was in the company of a werewolf. Which was a peculiarity itself. What connection there was between werewolves and Animagi wizards L couldn't imagine. Especially, when werewolves were treated as dangerous creatures by most of the Wizarding society. But L was not going to ask any of these questions directly. He knew there would be no answer. Instead he decided for a slightly different tactic. Gathering information little by little and building the puzzle piece by piece.

"So, how many more jumps? This is getting really tiring…" L said and tried to imitate naive laugh of Mr. Matsuda.

The werewolf stopped in his tracks and turned to L: "You asked me before we jumped here. And you asked me before that, and before every other jump. I always told you I won't tell you so WHY DO YOU KEEP ASKING?!"

L made a show of stopping in his tracks and looking startled. Then he smiled stupidly, scratched the back of his head and said: "Because it's been a long way?"

The werewolf growled again and continued walking. L hurled after him with a mouth full of words: "Okay, okay, you don't have to tell me! But I am a bit bored and I thought it would be nice to start a conversation…"

"My job is to take you to the location. Not to chat with you." Werewolf answered, clearly disinterested.

"Oh come on…" L whined and surprised himself with how persuasive he sounded. He might be a much better actor than he thought. "... I am sure we can find some common topics! We even have a common friend!"

There was no reaction to that so L continued as he followed the man through the crowd: "I haven't seen Alec for some time, but damn, that omega is beautiful, don't you think?"

Exactly as expected, that drew a reaction out of the man. He stopped abruptly and turned around to face L. He caught him under the collar of L's white sweatshirt and pull him closer so their faces were only centimetres apart:

"I will give you good advice, wizard…" the werewolf spat with a hard frown on his face: "...stay away from Alec, if you wanna stay out of trouble! Do you understand?!"

L again made the show of looking surprised and stuttered: "Sorry, sorry! I had no idea he was your omega! I meant no offence I swear!"

The werewolf let go of him and let out a desperate sigh: "He is not my ome… whatever, just keep moving and keep your mouth shut!" he started moving again and couldn't see the victorious smirk on L's lips. But that smirk only lasted a second before L's mind supplied him with all the scenarios about what Alec being close with werewolves could mean.

After the first day as a substitute teacher, Misa sincerely hoped Lawliet was not gonna be out of the castle for long, because teaching was much harder then she could have ever imagined. Persuading the kids that they really had something to teach them, then keeping the discipline in the class, explaining things in a primitive way, surviving embarrassing teenage jokes… Misa suddenly felt a hundred years old. She was only lucky that Light was practically a walking library and when it came to knowledge, there wasn't a question students could surprise him with. But she saw some of them watching him with displeased looks. The rumour about him and Lawliet was still too fresh for them to let it go. And it felt even more pressing now, that Lawliet put so much trust in Light's hands. Luckily, it was also visible that at least these young people had doubts. Because some of them were looking at Light more with curiosity, than animosity. She could imagine that they want to know what is so great about Light and why he deserved so much attention from Lawliet. Also, her's and Mello's social influence probably helped a bit. From the previous evening, they spread their contra rumour everywhere they could. And it was surprisingly easy. During all Monday, she had heard people whispering about Lawliet and some blond being seen in the school orphanage. And she didn't even have time to concentrate on listening that day! The news was simply everywhere. She even heard that someone had seen these two late in the evening in Hogsmeade. She didn't know who came up with this additional lie, but at least it worked.

She was not sure if Light had noticed this. He seemed really concentrated on teaching all day and when they finally finished and moved back to their student roles, he was a bit withdrawn into himself. He'd spoken to her, but very briefly and only to the school topics. Everytime she tried to reach the topic of "yesterday" or "Lawliet" he changed the subject. Also, the make up spell was not really as mastered as Light probably thought. He was not alright. No matter how hard he tried, Misa was now familiar with the desperate eyes behind his calm looks. What happened yesterday really got to him.

She was also a little bit afraid of Light's reaction to this new rumour. Not because he would be in love with Lawliet, but because he cared about him and if someone saw his genuine reaction to this, they might as well interpret it as disappointment in love. But they didn't know the whole story. She did. That's why she wanted to tell him about the rumour herself, but she didn't have the opportunity all day. And Light fled to his room as fast as they ended their last class saying he's "too tired to eat". She just hoped that no one would confront Light about this before she could.

The school itself was a bit torn. The rumour led to many people questioning if Lawliet was dating both of them at once which was showing him in a bad light. But for many fans it even added Lawliet more attractivity, because everyone likes "bad boys". Apparently, the more people Lawliet was dating, the more other people had a chance to get him. If Misa wasn't so damn tired, she would even shake her head at the thought. How someone could think that Lawliet was not "one soul at the time" kind of a man she couldn't understand.

Misa was deep in thoughts and just about to turn to the great hall, when someone grabbed her hand and pulled her aside. She squeaked in surprise but let out a relieved sigh when she saw it was only Mello.

"Merlin's pants! You scared me!" she exclaimed and adjusted her robes.

"Shhh… silence, come with me, I need to talk to you in private!" He hissed and grabbed her wrist.

She pulled back, annoyed: "Whaaaat?! But I'm hungry!"

"You can eat after…" He said and grabbed her wrist again, pulling her with him away from the hall. Within a minute they've reached an empty classroom. Mello closed the door behind them and charmed the muffliato spell around.

"This better be important, I had a really looooong day." Misa said, leaning against a desk.

"I need your help." Mello let out quickly and folded hands on his chest while looking her straight in the eye.

"You… what?!" She said surprised.

Mello rolled his eyes: "Don't make me say it again."

"You… need my help." Misa repeated with her brows furrowed, not really understanding what was going on. They were not friends. Their whole acquaintance was shallow and based simply on a knowledge of each other's social influence. They respected one another, but they were not really operating in the same circles. Until yesterday, they never joined their forces.

"Yes…" Mello nodded.

"With what?"

"I need to make Matt jealous."

"You need… what?!" Misa was not sure what was more surprising. The information itself or the fact that Mello came with this to her.

He rolled his eyes again: "Oh come on, Amane, you understand very well what I mean."

Yes, of course she did, but she was not sure what to make out of it. Mello had quite a fanclub of all genders running after him and she couldn't understand why there was need for an action like this, when Mello could have had practically anyone. There was something missing in the equation. Then she realised, who this was all about:

"Matt… the redhead?"

"Yeah…"

Misa suddenly started laughing. She wasn't really familiar with all Mello's friends but name Matt really rings a bell. Especially after yesterday, when she was talking with him herself for a bit. Matt had always the reputation of Mello's faithful dog, following the blond everywhere. But obviously, it was just another rumour, because if not, Mello would not need to make him jealous. He would just take what he wanted and the dog would just lick his shoes in gratitude.

In reaction to her laughter Mello rolled his eyes and started pacing the room again. Of course he was expecting a reaction like that. It didn't happen every day that The Gryffindors' golden lion would go and ask anyone for help.

"Yeah, yeah, very funny… listen…" he said and stopped directly in front of Misa: "It's gonna have more advantages for you than for me. You'll be close to us, which means also being a step closer to L, which is what you want, right?"

"Wait… are you suggesting what I think you are?! You want me to fake date you?!"

Mello shook his head: "We don't have to go that far. It will be enough that you will be around our group and will be seen around me. I wanna have the door opened, in case Matty will make up his mind."

Misa was still staring at him, with mild disbelief: "Why don't you just ask him out or something?! You're Mello! Don't tell me you don't have courage for that!"

He only waved his hand in front of his face: "It's not that simple. I can't really do much because neither of us have presented yet. I just want to make sure there are some feelings growing before we present because after it might be too late."

"Jesus, Mello, but that's stupid! He either has feelings for you or he doesn't!"

He shot her an angry look: "Maybe he just needs a little help to discover them?! Look, I'm not really asking that much. Just for you to come to our table from time to time to eat with us, hang around me a bit more, saying something suggestive… and I swear it will be worth it. I'll tell you all you want to know about L, if you promise to keep it for yourself."

Misa opened and closed her mouth. What Mello wanted was really stupid and there was a real chance that it would backfire on him greatly. Forcing feelings always ended badly. But again, who was she to talk? With her quest to marry her professor? In light of this, she started feeling a bit stupid herself. But she really didn't want to think about that so she focused on what Mello offered. And Mello was right. She had now Light to get her closer to Lawliet, but Mello and the rest of them knew the professor from the side Light couldn't - more personal side. This was a good opportunity. But still, she had doubts.

"But why me? We aren't exactly friends and I'm two years older. Wouldn't Sayu be a better option?"

Mello chuckled: "Sayu would be the worst option ever. She has a similar obsession with me as you have with L. There would be no way for me to do it without hurting her in the process and no matter how much she annoys me on the occasion… she's still a friend."

"I see… with me there is a zero chance of falling in love with you."

"I wouldn't say zero but…" Mello started, his ego a bit hurt, but when their eyes met and Misa's amused look told him that "zero meant zero", he decided to let it be "... yeah. You can only gain, so what do you say?"

Misa stopped smiling and pursed her lips while thinking about it for a moment. Then she started pacing the room in a manner he did before, while thinking. In general, there was no harm in that for her. Her social circles were used to her doing strange things out of the blue and even if they found it bizarre, she didn't really care that much what they were thinking of her. Her priority was L Lawliet. She stopped her pace and turned to Mello who was now leaning against the classroom door:

"So… you say you would tell me everything you know about Lawliet?"

Mello nodded: "Everything that doesn't fall under secrecy."

"And you would help me create opportunities to be around him more?"

"Yes, we generally hang around him, so that's not a problem."

"You would speak highly of me in front of him…"

Mello narrowed his eyes at her before rolling them: "Fine… I could do that. But not that much, it would look suspicious. L's not stupid, you know."

Misa nodded before adding: "And there will be no talk about a relationship between us. When someone asks, we deny."

"That goes without saying. None of us can really afford being in a relationship. Even if it's fake."

Misa started pacing again, thinking. She knew she could get more out of this agreement, Mello was obviously desperate enough. She smirked when a thought hit her and she turned back to him:

"Alright, but I have a condition."

He frowned: "And these now weren't conditions?"

"Nope, just general rules of our cooperation." She smiled cheekily.

Mello chuckled at that: "Alright, so what do you want?"

Misa came closer to Mello and smiled at him sweetly, while watching his expression: "I want you to accept Light into your circles."

Mello's expression immediately hardened: "I'm sorry?"

She smirked and explained: "You've heard me. I happen to be Light's friend now and if I'm around you, it means he will be too. And you will be welcoming towards him and include him into your social circles."

Mello shifted uncomfortably, not really understanding why she was asking this, of all things: "But why? You know that I helped with the rumour, because of L, not Yagami. I don't give a shit about him. He is a self centred prick!"

Misa turned towards him with a hard frown: "He is my friend and you will not talk of him like that or there will be no deal!"

"Oh please, he was not your friend two days ago. You just befriended him to get to L." He answered and Misa shot him a surprised look. She didn't even realise it might look like that.

"I DID NOT! For your information we were friends before, there were just some circumstances in a way for a long time!" She explained emotively.

"Whatever, Amane! He will ruin my reputation!" Mello almost yelled at her and gesticulated wildly. But Misa only chuckled: "Oh, you don't need him for that, it will be enough for me to mention to my friends that you are pinning hard after your best friend and are unable to get him!"

Mello's eyes almost fell out of his sockets. He knew Misa was cunning, but that was a low blow even for someone like her: "You… you…" He started but was unable to finish the sentence in any way.

Misa only smirked at that: "So what say you, Mello? Do we have a deal?"

Mello pursed his lips angrily. He thought that winning her over would be easy with her obsession about L. But she turned out to be much more clever than he thought. At this point he could only accept and hope that he will figure out how to gain the upper hand again.

"Fine!" He hissed at her: "But if he wouldn't want to be around us, I will not beg him to, is that clear?"

"As clear as day!" Misa said with a smirk and reached out her arm to confirm their agreement with a handshake. Mello rolled his eyes and shook it.

Not even a minute later, they were walking out of the classroom almost joined by the hip.

"You really can persuade men about anything with that mouth of yours, can't you, Amane?" Mello asked with a smirk, while adjusting his uniform.

Misa smiled at him: "Oh dear Mello, you haven't seen anything yet."

He laughed in response, completely unaware that these last few sentences were overheard by a certain red headed boy, who happened to cross the corridor and saw them coming out of the classroom.

Light tried to sleep. It was a long day and the night before was even longer. He was exhausted but he couldn't drift off to sleep. His mind was full of thoughts he didn't have time to process during the day.

He had no idea how it was possible his life was changing this fast. One day he decided that he would end his lessons with Lawliet and go back to normal life and not even 24 hours later, he found himself being his substitute teacher. Taking on a role that would bring many more accusations and problems. But he couldn't help himself. One part of his personality (big part) wanted to continue lessons with Lawliet, send everyone to hell and stand proudly on the pedestal built by his teacher.

That part of his personality won the argument.

He must have admitted to himself now, that he was largely influenced by Lawliet's kind letter and words of professor Wammy when making his decision.

At this point, late at night, when there was no one around and no other things to focus on, he was finally able to rationalise the whole thing to himself: He persuaded himself that Lawliet was at least partly right when he gave him the opportunity and that everything that happened was just because of the stupidity of his schoolmates, who were simply envious and jealous. Because if he was an alpha, things would have happened differently. And there was simply no reason why he should be hiding he was the best just because he was an omega. They were all used to him being the best anyway. This achievement was just a new high.

Light was also able to rationalise things to the point when he saw the whole teaching thing as an opportunity to dissolve rumours. Because there was a possibility no one would believe that he and Lawliet were sleeping together when Lawliet put such an important task on Light. Because putting Light even more into the spotlight would mean they could be easily discovered. No one in an illegal relationship would risk that. So to put it simply - Light was able to defend the decision in front of himself.

But…

He was no fool. He knew he couldn't blindly trust Lawliet. Even though there were many moments when Light felt like he could read the man's thoughts, there were also many when he didn't understand him at all. And he was not able to manipulate him. Most of the time it felt like it was the other way around. Lawliet was able to move Light to the point he did not even recognize himself. Like when Light begged the alpha to meet him late at night and then ended up in his lap. It was dangerous. Rational part of Light's brain was now very aware of that. Lawliet was still an alpha. And as far as Light knew, one of the most dangerous Wizards of their age. If Light's first instinct was at least partly right and Lawliet was truly playing something on him, he needed to be ready.

That's why he decided to play on both sides.

He would continue his lessons with Lawliet, be his substitute teacher and he would try to get the most of their "relationship". He would carry on his shoulders all the rumours that were flying around. But also… and that was the thing he completely lost before, he would renew his friendship with Mikami and Takada. He would try to use them to his advantage as much as possible. Because he could not be sure about anything from Lawliet's part. But he knew pretty well what he could expect from Mikami: Adoration, boundless devotion and potentially… a very advantageous marriage.

And why should I lose something like that just because of one nicely smelling alpha? Light asked himself and suddenly felt extremely confident. He seemed to completely forget about his vision and the role Mikami played in it.

Hey guys, long time no see… How are you all?

I'm sorry I haven't updated for such a long time but real life caught me by surprise and I was left with no time or energy to write. It made me really sad, because many times I had this story in my mind and I felt the tension in my fingers telling me to sit down and write about our confused idiots. Then, when I finally did, nothing felt right. It took me literally months to get through this chapter.

But… Here I am. The story finally continues.

I can not promise you regular updates. But I am not giving up on this story! There are so many of you waiting for this to continue and I don't wanna let you down. Thank you for all the support. I really appreciated all the comments I got in the long pause. You guys, keep me motivated.

Thank you. 3

Love, J.