Disclaimer: I don't own Harry Potter or Prince of Tennis!

...

...

Momoshiro stared at the small pond that was behind the school. It was lunch and he just wanted to avoid his friends. He had done that ever since… ever since he lost. He hadn't gone to any of the practices since the ranking tournament.

He knew he was in trouble for it, but… he just couldn't face it. Face them. Not yet. Not when he…

He swallowed painfully as he once more remembered. Remembered how he had lost against Tezuka first. Though, to be honest that hadn't been too much of a shock. Everyone lost against Tezuka. But he still felt the sting at the clear difference between them, how easy Tezuka had beaten him.

Then he had won his next couple of matches and faced Inui for the last one. For the match that would decide if he was a regular or if he would get the third place that said he would keep playing. He wanted to win. He so dearly wanted to win and prove that he was a regular. He had done well in his matches in the tournament up until now, so he should be able to win. Right?

But… Inui. Inui knew everything he was coming with. He had a response to it all and no matter what Momoshiro did Inui returned it and countered it. He remembered the helplessness he felt, how frustrated it was to have everything just thrown back at him like that and being unable to do anything.

He fought with everything he got, but Inui still beat him.

He sighed as he rubbed his forehead trying to refocus but it wasn't easy. And no matter how much he hated to lose to Inui it was the match against Hari he couldn't shake off. No matter what he did or where he went images of the match against Hari came back and he… what did he feel about that?

Hari jumped up and it was like there were wings attached to her back and fire around her as she smashed the ball back just out of his reach. The thud the ball made as it bounced away from him rang across the silent courts.

He had looked forward to playing her when it became clear that it was the two of them that would be facing each other in what Kikumaru called the finale of the ranking tournament. Everyone had gathered around to watch it.

Hari returned his smash by throwing herself forward and managing to get her racket underneath the ball and return it over the net again. He was too stunned to move.

Hari using a slice serve and he was unable to reach it.

He knew that Hari was good. She had only lost to Kikumaru and Kaido, both had been close and she had even managed a tiebreak against Kikumaru. Not many managed that. So, Momoshiro knew logically that Hari would be a tough opponent. And she had kept up with Kaido for a good while before she had to see herself beat by the viper.

He used the jack knife, a fast, sharp and powerful backhand shot and watched as it hit Hari in the ribs making her gasp for breath and fell back. He winced in pain and worry, but she just got back up and rubbed her chest slightly as she smiled at him. Waving away the worried look and question from him and the others.

So…what had gone wrong? Why had he lost? Why had he struggled so with keeping focus in the match?

She just kept coming back and it almost felt like playing Inui again. Anger and frustration made him lose control and he made stupid mistakes. But he still had thought… he thought he had control.

Her eyes filled with pain but she jumped up and smashed the ball behind him assuring her win.

Yet, she came back and eventually she took the lead and he suddenly realised that she really did resemble her brother like that. He never gave up either.

But he hoped that she hadn't been hurt, he still winced thinking about the ball that hit her chest. He knew it had been a hard one, but she had barely stayed down before she got back to her feet and continued the game. He had seen pain in her eyes for that last shot, but otherwise… she had not shown any sign of being in pain. So she was probably okay, right?

Worry nagged at him but he pushed it away and told himself that she would say something if she was hurt in any way or the others would have caught it. They saw it too, so… and they probably had caught it and handled it. It wasn't like he had been around at practice to see. So they had probably dealt with it, asked her if she was alright.

Yeah, he nodded to himself. He was sure they had done that. And she hadn't said anything in class. Though… she had kept a distance to him in class. Probably out of respect or worry for him. He wasn't sure if he appreciated that or if he was sorry that she did because she was a good friend. Yet, she was a part of the team and the ones he was so desperately trying to avoid right now.

"Thank you for the match, Momo-chan," Hari said softly. "It was a good game."

He grimaced as the last words she had said to him came back and he felt like the biggest jerk on the planet. He had barely managed to remain calm and polite as they said the standard greetings after a match, but he hadn't completely missed the worried look in her eyes as she looked at him despite trying to keep from showing it as she watched him. She had not even shown any happiness of making regulars in front of him.

"Just why does she have to be so nice all the time," Momoshiro muttered as he picked up a stone and threw it making it skip on the water before it sank making ripples in the clear water.

He really was a jerk, Momoshiro thought. He would have to apologize to her later and check if she was alright after being hit by his ball. He still felt bad about that. But right now he needed to get his head back on straight and get over the loss.

But it wasn't easy. His head felt like it was a mess and thoughts and feelings were all over the place and just the idea of going to practice now was enough to make him sick.

Argh. Just what was the matter with him?

...

Hari felt the pain in her chest and knew it was the bruise just above her right breast that was the cause of it. She still hurt because of the ball she had caught from Momoshiro, but she pushed the pain away because it wasn't the time to worry about it.

She was worried about Momoshiro. He had not come to practice since the ranking tournament and it was her fault. She knew, logically, that it wasn't really her fault. She had won a fair and tough match against him and they both had the same chances to win. Logically she knew. But… she couldn't help but feel like it was her fault.

"She's the reason that Momo-chan isn't on the team anymore," a boy said to his friend. Hari heard him but refused to look over at the two as she walked toward the courts for practice. Momoshiro had left the classroom as soon as the teacher had finished.

"Why is a girl on the team anyway?" his friend asked. "She should be on the girls' team. Not take up spots on the boys' team and keep players like Momo-chan off the team."

"I heard the first years in the club worry about Momo-chan during lunch," she could hear the first boy say just as she rounded the corner.

She paused and closed her eyes. It wasn't the first time she had overheard someone saying the same things and it was like they said it in a way that was meant for her to overhear. She wouldn't lie and say it didn't hurt because it reminded her of how it was at Hogwarts, of how they would whisper about her and gossip. It felt like she would never get away from it. At least it proved that it was more than just her that felt it was her fault that Momoshiro was struggling now.

But she wasn't going to lose on purpose either. Not anymore. She was done with keeping back because of her aunt and uncle; she wasn't going to make her results poorer because of fear of outdoing Dudley anymore.

But that didn't mean that she didn't worry about losing her friends or hurting them when she did do better. She really didn't want to be the reason for them hurting.

She shook herself out of her musings and hurried to practice before she would be late and get Tezuka angry at her for being late. She really didn't need to do that.

Luckily they had just arrived when she was ready and started to warm up and again ignored the throbbing pain she felt from the bruised chest. She remembered seeing the bruise for the first time when she changed after the match and the dark reddish almost blue colour it had and it still had that colour. In fact, it had only gotten more pronounced.

But she was sure the bruise would go away soon. She probably just bruised easily, it was not something she was going to call attention to. She was not going to complain just because her chest hurt and she had a bruise. Besides, everyone was so worried about Momoshiro and it was already tense enough among them. It was like they were walking on glass around each other and Hari felt both guilty and sad about it all.

...

"I can't believe that Ryoma isn't worried at all," Horio muttered darkly as he glared after Ryoma who looked relaxed and unbothered by Momoshiro's absence.

"Horio-kun…" Kachiro looked at him worried.

"Look at him!" Horio said pointing at Ryoma and looking almost frantic. "I can't believe him! He and Momo-chan-sempai are supposed to be close! And Ryoma doesn't even care…"

"I don't think you should speak without knowing what you're talking about, Horio-kun," Hari's voice interrupted him softly from behind them.

The three first years spun around and stared at Hari with wide eyes. Horio mentally sweat dropped at once more finding someone from the regulars behind him.

"I…um…I…" Horio stuttered.

"Ryo-chan cares," Hari said looking at the three of them with a serious look in her eyes. "He just knows that Momo-chan wouldn't want to be crowded right now. It's best to give him time to work through his own thoughts before anyone starts to crowd him. It will only hurt worse if he feels he's being pitied."

With that she walked past them and over to Ryoma who looked up when she joined him and gave her a smile. She returned it as she joined him in his stretches.

"I'm sure Hari-chan-sempai is right," Mizuno said after a while. "She knows Momo-chan-sempai really well, too."

"Hai," Kachiro nodded.

"But I still think someone should say something…" Horio muttered. "I miss Momo-chan-sempai…"

"So do we…" Kachiro said and Mizuno nodded.

...

Ryuzaki stared at the old man in front of her. Just why had old Banda come to see her? What did he have planned? She had no idea and it annoyed her.

"So, what brings you here?" she asked.

"Maa, Maa," he smiled. "Don't you think Tezuka-kun is strong enough already? It's such a waste…"

She arched a brow.

"To say such nice words," Ryuzaki said as she gave him a sharp searching look. "Are you planning to weaken Seigaku's strength?"

"Maa," Banda dragged the word out as he scratched his chin. "There is a big gap now that Akutsu has pulled out…Seriously…"

Ryuzaki just stared at him until he leaned forward and stared at her.

"Then, can I have Echizen?" he asked.

"Uso da! You old man!" Ryuzaki snapped.

"You have two," he whined. "I just want one of them."

"One…" Ryuzaki said before she frowned. "Which one?"

"Echizen Hari," Banda smiled. "She's a raw talent and I'd love the chance to work with her."

"Ie!" Ryuzaki yelled. "You can't have either of them!"

"So mean," Banda pouted.

Ryuzaki sighed.

"Well, for the time being…" Banda said and changed the subject and handed Ryuzaki several envelopes and pulling out the content revealed several schools in other countries, one in America, one in Germany and one in England. "Please, give that to Tezuka-kun."

Ryuzaki remained in the office after Banda had left and walked over to the window looking down at the practice. She knew what Banda was hinting at. It was a good opportunity. Tezuka was a strong player and he was ready for a bigger challenge than the middle schools around here offered him.

She sighed.

...

Tezuka watched Oishi and Kikumaru run laps around the court with a stoic expression on his face. Walking onto the court to see the two usually good friends openly fight was just another sign of how messed up the team were at the moment.

He withheld a sigh as he looked over the rest of the club doing their own things. They all looked to be focused, but at the same time, they all looked to be holding back. It was remarkably quiet as they trained and it was no question on why. They all missed Momoshiro.

He knew he should wait and let Momoshiro figure out things on his own, but it was not that easy to do. Not when the team was breaking apart.

"You're thinking," Fuji spoke up.

"Hm," Tezuka glanced at Fuji.

"He'll turn up soon, I expect," Fuji said.

"You think so?" Tezuka couldn't help asking.

Fuji shrugged.

"He loves tennis too much to stay away," Fuji said and turned his eyes over to where Hari and Ryoma were working together. "Besides, I don't think the two Echizen's will allow him much more time to wallow."

Tezuka almost snorted. No, he supposed they wouldn't.

"You seem sure about that," was all he said.

"Saa," Fuji smiled. "Momoshiro is closest to Echizen, and even Hari-chan."

Tezuka frowned slightly as he looked at Hari who had a small frown on her face and for a moment he thought it looked like she was in pain but then it was gone and she smiled slightly to her brother and everything seemed to be back to normal.

...

"You saw Momo-chan at the street court?" Hari asked leaning back on her bed and winced as her chest protested the movement. She used the hand not holding her phone to reach for the pack of ice and placed it on the spot where the bruise was on her chest as she talked to An on the phone.

"Yeah, don't you have tennis practice after school anymore?" An asked curiously.

Hari was silent for a moment.

"You didn't talk to Momo-chan?" she asked.

"No," An said. "I didn't have the time and he looked upset so… I wasn't sure how he would react…"

"I see," Hari sighed. "I guess you could say that our team is a little messed up right now."

"I thought you made regular?" An asked. "I got your text."

"I did," Hari said, "but… Momo-chan was the one who lost his spot."

"Oh," An said.

"And he hasn't been at practice since," Hari sighed. "I want to help him, but seeing that he lost to me… I…I don't want to rub it in."

"I understand," An said. "I'm sorry."

"Yeah, well," Hari sighed and then again winced and removed the ice because it was starting to get uncomfortably cold. "He needs to work it out and then come back. Or I will find him and drag him back myself."

The last part was said in a grumble and Hari could almost hear An's smile over the phone as she answered.

"I bet you would."

Hari huffed.

...

An was walking past the street court again the next day and saw Momoshiro playing against both Izumi and Fukawa alone. From what she could tell he was winning but seemed to be annoyed and upset and didn't even pay attention to the two double players as he walked off the court.

An watched Momoshiro for a moment and remembered what Hari had said. She knew that Hari hadn't told her everything and she wouldn't expect her to do so either because this was a matter between the team. But it was enough for An to understand what was going on and she knew that her friend was beating herself up over this.

"Oi," An said as she threw a tennis ball toward Momoshiro's back and hitting the back of his head. He turned around and paused when he spotted her.

"Ah, Tachibana's little sister," he said.

"Oi! I have a name, you know!" An snapped. "It's An! Tachibana An!"

Momoshiro turned away from her and she frowned as she took in the boy in front of her. He looked…so alone. It reminded her a little on how her brother looked before they moved…

"What are you doing here playing against players like this?" An asked ignoring Izumi and Fukawa's protests. "Shouldn't you be with your team preparing for the Kanto Tournament?"

Momoshiro was silent and An watched him for a moment deliberating on what to do.

"Our team has recovered from their injuries and are working harder than ever," An continued. "They say that they want to pay Yamabuki back…and Seigaku."

Again Momoshiro ignored her but she saw that his shoulders tensed.

"Kamio also says he wants to beat that Atobe-guy from Hyotei," An said. "Says he is too arrogant for his own good."

"What do you want?" Momoshiro finally asked looking over at her.

"Momoshiro-kun, are you okay?" An asked.

"I'm fine," he replied without smiling. "You can leave now."

"It's a public court," An said, "and I don't feel like leaving."

An glared at Momoshiro who looked away from her and nodded to Izumi and Fukawa who said they were leaving and told Momoshiro that they looked forward to the Kanto tournament. She caught the hurt look on his face before he pushed it back.

"Ah, Tachibana's little sister," Momoshiro suddenly said and turned toward her and smiled. An couldn't help but notice that it wasn't his normal smile. "Do you want to play a little?"

"Eh?"

"That was why you came here, wasn't it?" he asked.

"Sure," An said despite it not being so, she had come because she had hoped to find him and maybe get him back to practice. "Nande?"

"I'll be your coach, Tachibana's little sister," Momoshiro said.

"It isn't Tachibana's little sister!" She snapped again. "An! It's An!"

Momoshiro smiled and for a moment his face lit up like it used to but it was soon gone.

...

An was getting more and more frustrated as she played Momoshiro. At first, she had been excited because it was a chance to play a really strong player but now… she was just frustrated and starting to get angry.

She picked up the ball that he had just used a feint and not the dunk smash like he normally would have done. She looked up at him to find him watching her with a dispassionate look.

"You think I'm a fool, don't you?" she accused.

"Haaaa?" he asked.

"You think that just because I'm a girl that you don't have to go all out," An scowled at him.

"It's no use in using my dunk smash if you know it's coming," Momoshiro muttered looking away from her.

"You really do think I'm a fool;" An whispered feeling more hurt than she thought she would.

"Why are you being like this?" Momoshiro asked looking at her confused as she turned and started to walk away.

"No reason," she said. "Momoshiro-kun, you haven't been yourself lately. I'm taking a break."

...

Momoshiro-kun, you haven't been yourself lately.

Momoshiro looked over at where An sat on the bench fixing her hair. She looked rather cute… He blinked and shook his head. What was that? There was no way he had just thought… he shook his head again as he remembered what she had said.

"I don't even know what's wrong with me," Momoshiro said frustrated as he looked away from An. Just what was wrong?

He had lost, yeah. And it hurt, but he could deal with that, couldn't he? So why didn't he go to practice?

All he knew was that it hurt to think to go and see the regulars practice. Regulars. He wasn't one of them anymore. He sighed.

...

"Anou," Hari said looking at the brochure in Tezuka's hands.

He looked up startled and Hari almost smiled because she had never seen him with that expression on his face before. He was always so guarded.

"Hari-san," he said and put the brochure away.

"You're thinking about study abroad?" Hari asked curiously as she took a seat next to him on the train platform.

"Ryuzaki-sensei gave the brochure to me," Tezuka said pushing his glasses up his nose.

Hari nodded and looked out over the platform.

"So, are you going?" She asked.

"I haven't decided anything yet," Tezuka said stoically.

"I see," Hari said. "Well, I hope you'll stay. But that's just me being selfish. It's a good opportunity."

Tezuka looked at her and saw the smile she gave him before she looked away again and seemed to be scanning the people around them. He wondered what she was doing there. She wasn't allowed on the train, or so he thought.

"What are you doing here, Hari-san?" he asked.

"I'm waiting for someone," she said glancing at him. "I'm still not allowed on the train if that was what you were wondering."

He allowed a small smile to cross his lips.

"Good job on making the regulars, by the way," he said.

He noticed how her smile fell and a frown settled on her face.

"Thanks," she said. "I just wished that it didn't cause such a mess within the team…"

Tezuka looked at her for a moment.

"You're thinking about Momoshiro," he said.

She nodded.

"He'll come around," Tezuka said in an oddly comforting manner.

"You think so?" Hari asked.

"I'm sure," he said.

"Good, because practice isn't the same without him," Hari said.

Tezuka remind silent for a moment and Hari didn't say anything as she watched the crowd around them.

"You know that it's not a bad thing that you became a regular, Hari-san," Tezuka said making her look at him. "Being cut from the regulars is a part of being on the team. Everyone is important, not just the players on the court but also the support around the team. It's a part of the game and Momoshiro will learn that. He will find his way back."

Hari blinked at him before she smiled a real smile and Tezuka counted that as a win.

"Hari-chan!" a voice called and they both looked up to see a younger boy coming toward them.

"Ah, Minoru-chan," Hari smiled. "You're here."

"The train was late," Minoru said and glanced at Tezuka.

"Ah, Minoru-chan this is the captain of my team, Tezuka," Hari said. "Captain, this is Yukimura Minoru."

Tezuka arched a brow as he looked at the younger boy who was frowning at him. His arms had crossed over his chest like he was trying to intimidate him. Tezuka stared back stoically even though he felt amused.

"Nice to meet you," Tezuka nodded and got up. "That's my train. See you tomorrow, Hari-san."

"Sure," Hari nodded.

Tezuka looked over his shoulder and saw Minoru attached to Hari's arm and already chatting a mile a minute by the look of it. Hari was smiling and nodding along as they started to walk out of the station. Just what was going on, Tezuka wondered as he looked after them. Yukimura… he must be related to Yukimura Seiichi… was it possible? Huh…

...

Momoshiro continued to play against An who was playing well and he noticed the fire in her as she played. It was similar to how Hari played, though Hari was better. But that wasn't the point now. He felt something stir inside of him as he returned ball after ball and watched her play.

He had become cocky. He had become arrogant and started to judge others by just looking at them and not really seeing them. It was no wonder he had lost.

It was because he had become negligent that he had lost his spot among the regulars. He wasn't good enough, but so what? He would grow. He would become good enough and continue to challenge himself and the others. He would go back to challenge those better than himself. Like he used to do.

He suddenly felt better. He was going to fight back! He would get back the regular spot next time and then he would be strong enough! He would not forget this again.

There! A high ball and he took the chance. He jumped up and felt the burning inside of him as he smashed the ball hard and it sped past An and away.

"Don…" he said as he landed and then looked up at An with a sheepish expression on his face. "Sorry. I got serious for a moment."

An smiled and he blinked.

"Somehow, you seem more like yourself now," An said.

"Huh?" Momoshiro blinked. "Really? I don't feel different though."

An just smiled and said, "you're different from before."

Momoshiro turned and walked a few steps before he looked over his shoulder and smiled at An.

"Well, thank you, An," he said. "Ups. No, Tachibana's little sister!"

An had smiled when he finally called her by her name but then she scowled at him.

"What's with you?! It's not something you have to especially correct!" An yelled.

Momoshiro just laughed.

...

"Ah, it's you," a voice said and Momoshiro turned to see a familiar boy sitting on one of the steps of the stands looking at him.

"Atobe," Momoshiro frowned.

"Hari-chan's teammate, huh?" Keigo said looking at Momoshiro with a curious look.

"What do you want?" Momoshiro frowned as he looked at Keigo and then at the boys around him that were all dressed in Hyotei uniform so he guessed they were part of Keigo's team.

"I was just wondering why you have time to waste on a street court like this," Keigo said. "Are you guys ready yet?"

Momoshiro frowned as he stared up at Keigo who looked beside him and at An.

"Ah, Tachibana's little sister," Keigo said with a slight smirk. "We won't lose next time, you know. In the Kanto Tournament, we will be fighting with our true regulars. We won't make the same mistakes twice."

"Don't try to pick a fight!" An snapped before looking away. How could Hari stand this guy? An couldn't understand it.

"Atobe, is that guy really a regular on Hari-chan's team?" Oshitari asked looking at Momoshiro with critical eyes. "He doesn't look that tough."

"It's a given that he's not that tough," Haginosuke Taki said lazily as he looked at Momoshiro. "Since he's fooling around here."

Just then they heard footsteps and they turned to see Ryoma coming up the stairs and walking toward them.

Momoshiro felt stunned seeing Ryoma. Why was he there? Had he come to look for him?

"What's up?" Ryoma asked as he took in the scene and his eyes narrowed slightly as he spotted Keigo who tilted his head slightly like he was curious.

"So, I heard you beat Akutsu," Keigo said. "Echizen."

"Oh, that's the boy who hit you," Mukahi said blinking. "He beat Akutsu?"

"This kid?" Otori said surprised. "And Akutsu is tall…"

"Not bad," Haginosuke hummed.

"Akutsu isn't that tough," Oshitari commented.

Mukahi jumped up on the small wall in front of them and stared before he smirked.

"Well said, Yushi," Mukahi said. "That delinquent just likes to fool around and doesn't even practice that much. He has no strength does he?"

And then he laughed.

"Oi! You said too much!" Momoshiro snapped.

Mukahi stopped laughing but jumped and spun around in the air above Momoshiro before he landed behind him elegant and soft.

He was eyeing Momoshiro with a considering look.

"If you want to play, then come," Mukahi said. "I'll make you both suffer."

"No way!" Both Ryoma and Momoshiro said at once making Mukahi blink.

"Huh?"

"I do want to play you…but this Echizen, he sucks," Momoshiro said. "He has nearly zero sense in how to play doubles."

"As if you can talk!" Ryoma snapped annoyed glaring up at Momoshiro. "You're the same, Momo-sempai! You just run around like a wild boar."

"You!" Momoshiro glared back at Ryoma. "What's up with calling your sempai a boar?!"

"If not a boar how about a wild horse?" Ryoma asked innocently.

"What?""

"What, huh?"

The two of them continued to argue forgetting the others around them who blinked as they watched and felt confused. Wasn't the two of them on the same team? Why were they arguing like that? An tried to interrupt them but neither paid her any attention.

It ended with Momoshiro saying that he would rather team up with An than Ryoma leaving An to stare worriedly at Ryoma. But he didn't seem to care as he turned away from Momoshiro and walked toward Keigo who had been quiet as he watched.

"Well, I would much rather play you, Monkey King," Ryoma said staring at Keigo.

Keigo arched a brow as he stared back at Ryoma.

Otori smiled slightly as he looked at Ryoma. "You've got guts."

Keigo didn't reveal what he was thinking as he stared at Ryoma who just stared back unflinchingly.

"Hari-chan wouldn't like that very much, now would she?" Keigo finally said. "She gets mad at me if I mess with you."

"I'll beat you;" Ryoma said. "Hari will deal with it."

"You don't care what she thinks?" Keigo asked.

Ryoma glanced away for a second before he looked back at Keigo.

"That's none of your business," Ryoma said shortly. "Are you running away?"

Keigo hummed and got up. Ignoring Oshitari who muttered something about Ryoma and gave him an almost respectful look.

"I would love to beat you right now," Keigo said. "But… I don't want to make Hari-chan mad at me again. So, I'll wait until Kanto Tournament. There I will crush you personally."

Ryoma narrowed his eyes as he watched Keigo walk away.

...

Momoshiro looked at An who was packing up and he couldn't help the smile that crossed his face as he looked at her. She was really something.

"Arigatou," he said and she looked up at him confused.

"For what?" she asked.

"For a lot of things," Momoshiro smiled before he put his hands behind his head and looked away. "That doesn't concern you."

An scowled at him before she shook her head.

"Need me to walk you home?" Momoshiro asked almost hoping that she would say yes.

"No need," An said. "There's a shortcut here that I'll take. I'll be fine."

She waved at them.

"Bye, bye," she said. "Good luck at the Kanto Tournament."

"Yeah," Momoshiro said.

"You're finally back to the Momoshiro-kun that I know," An smiled and turned around before Momoshiro could find a reply. Aware that Ryoma was watching him he turned slightly so he wasn't staring after An despite wanting to do just that.

"So, Echizen," Momoshiro said and looked at his friend who adjusted his cap and refused to look back at Momoshiro. "Why did you come here?"

"No particular reason," Ryoma said turning around. "Are you coming or are you staying longer?"

"I'm coming," Momoshiro smiled amusedly.

...

Hari smiled as she watched Momoshiro standing in front of a stern-looking Tezuka. But she didn't miss the relieved look in Tezuka's eyes as he stared at Momoshiro.

"How many times do you think he will get around the court?" Fuji asked her.

"Based on data I would say 50," Inui shot in.

Hari smiled and glanced at the two seniors.

"100," Hari said.

Fuji arched a brow in slight surprise before turning to look behind them as they heard laughter and saw Kikumaru and Oishi high-five and laugh like they used to do. He smiled slightly and glanced at Hari who had a fond smile on her face as she turned back to look at Momoshiro. She seemed to be more at peace now and he hoped that she would now be able to enjoy having been made a regular.

"I won't tolerate anyone breaking the rules," Tezuka said. "You will not touch your racket for a while. And 100 times around the court."

"Hai!" Momoshiro said.

Fuji smiled glancing at Hari. "You called it."

She shrugged turning away from the scene and picked up a ball using her racket.

"Hari-chan," Fuji called and she looked over at him. "Congratulations on making regular."

Hari smiled. "Thank you, Shu-chan."

...

The Burrow

...

"Okay, so why did you drag us out here looking like you have just pulled a prank that has gone horribly wrong and need our help to get your out of trouble?" Bill asked looking at his youngest brothers and their friend. "And I'm kind of surprised that Ron and Hermione have been dragged into it."

"Oi! Why do you assume that it's our fault?" Fred and George asked as one looking indignant.

"It's always your fault," Charlie said with a small smirk.

"Mean," the twins huffed.

Bill felt his lips twitch amused before he got serious again and looked at the four teenagers in front of him. He had just gotten back to the Burrow earlier that day and he had not missed the way his youngest brothers had acted. Only Percy and Ginny had acted like normal, so they were clearly not involved in whatever was going on.

"You haven't answered my question," Bill pointed out.

He focused his gaze on Ron and Hermione. They both looked worried and to be trying to communicate through their eyes only with each other and it was rather fascinating to watch. He had heard about Hermione from Ron's letters, but it was the first time actually meeting her now. He had looked forward to it and also meeting Hari Potter. And no, it was not because she was the Girl-Who-Lived, but because he had heard about her from practically everyone in his family (bar Charlie because he hadn't met her either) and had gotten curious about the girl.

But so far there had been no sign of the girl and he had not heard anyone say a word about her. He wasn't even sure she was going to show up during the summer at all, but he hoped she would.

"Um…If…if we tell you something will you promise not to tell anyone, I mean anyone, about it?" Ron asked.

Bill arched a brow as he stared at Ron.

"Why?" Bill asked. "If you're in danger we can't promise to not tell mum or dad."

"We're not in danger," George said.

"If it's a prank…" Charlie started.

"It's not a prank," Fred said. "We would never do something like this as a prank."

"Never," George nodded.

Bill glanced at Charlie who shrugged and looked pensively back at him. It wasn't often you saw the twins so serious.

"What's going on?" Bill asked.

"Not until you promise not to say anything to anyone," Ron said firmly and the other three nodded.

Bill frowned and watched them for a moment as he pondered his choices. He could say no and they would walk away and probably get in trouble on their own and he would not be there to help them. Or he could promise and then talk them out of it if it was too dangerous or crazy, he would be able to help.

Just what should he do?

"Okay," Bill said. "I promise not to tell anyone what you tell me."

Charlie looked at him surprised before he nodded and looked back at the four teens.

"Me too," he said. "I promise."

"Good," Ron said relieved.

...

"So, you're saying that Hari Potter is missing and that Dumbledore is looking for her but you don't want him to find her?" Bill asked with a raised brow.

"And that you believe that she is in Tokyo, Japan because your dad found Hari's aunt and uncle, who Dumbledore haven't found yet, and they said that Hari had been adopted by a Japanese couple?" Charlie continued.

"And now you want to travel to Tokyo to look for Hari without mum, dad or Dumbledore finding out?" Bill asked.

Charlie wasn't sure what to think. Other than that it was crazy and bewildering.

"Yes," Hermione said and nodded. She had done most of the talking up until now and Charlie could sort of see why because she was very logical and straight to the point. It almost sounded like she was reciting some homework but the emotion in her eyes as she talked was not to be mistaken of. She was really worried about their friend.

"Why?" Bill asked and Charlie glanced at his older brother to see him looking serious and curiously at them.

"Why?" Ron frowned.

"Why not tell Dumbledore?" Bill asked.

"Because Hari wouldn't want that!" Ron said. "If…if she went so far as to actually escape the country then she is serious about not wanting to be found. Especially by Dumbledore."

"I don't understand why she would not want to be found by Dumbledore," Charlie frowned.

"Look," Fred said and leaned forward slightly. "Hari is Hari. We all care about Hari because she is a fun and kind girl who always wants to help others."

"She is awesome at pranks," George added. "And she is smart and loves to fly."

"But to Dumbledore, she is the Girl-Who-Lived," Ron said and looked at his brothers. "She has been through a lot during our three years at school; she has almost been killed several times because of Dumbledore and his schemes."

"You-Know-Who was defeated by Hari in our second year when she saved Ginny," Hermione said softly. "She hasn't really told anyone just what happened down in the Chamber, but it was traumatic but she never received any help after it. Dumbledore just said she was a hero and announced it to the school and her status as the Girl-Who-Lived was stronger than ever."

Charlie was aware that Voldemort had been defeated by Hari in her second year and that she had saved Ginny at the same time. But he had not really thought about how Hari would be after that, he felt a stab of shame go through him. He had just been so relieved that Ginny had been okay and Voldemort gone for good that he hadn't thought about much else. He glanced at Bill and saw that he was probably thinking similarly to him.

"She didn't like that?" Bill asked.

"No, she hates it," Ron said and frowned. "I… I used to be jealous of her. She got all the attention no matter what she was doing or where she was. Everyone wanted to talk to her and be her friend. I used to wish that it had been me, but… I started to see just what it meant. It wasn't always a good thing, because they were also quick to turn on her when she did something that they thought was wrong, they even believed that she was behind the attacks at school our second year. When Hermione was attacked they realised that Hari would never attack her best friend and suddenly she was popular again."

That was…horrible, Charlie thought with a frown.

"Hari just wants to be Hari," Hermione added softly and Ron nodded.

"I realised that she never wanted the attention," Ron said looking at his brothers. "She just wants to be a normal girl. She just wants a family and friends, but I… after she got suspended from school I think she must have gotten time to think about it and realised that she didn't want to go back to a school where she's not treated fairly."

"Why was she suspended?" Charlie asked. "You said something about Fudge…"

"He suspended her because he thought that putting the blame on her would prove that he was powerful and in charge," Hermione scoffed. "He needed someone else to blame for Sirius escaping and Hari was the one he chose because of her name."

"Hari Potter helps mass murderer Sirius Black escape!" Ron snorted. "Like they know anything."

...

"Okay, so I think I understand why she would not want Dumbledore to find her;" Bill said and he did. In fact, if it had been him he would feel the same way. He couldn't understand how anyone could put a title before a young girl who clearly needed help. "But, if she went to all that trouble to hide…why are you still looking and searching for her? Shouldn't you respect her wishes and stay away?"

They were silent for a moment clearly thinking about what he said.

"I know," Hermione said quietly. "But, I need to see that Hari is happy and safe. She's my best friend and right now… I'm sure she thinks that Ron and I are blaming her for this and that we don't want to be her friend anymore. I don't want her to think that."

"I just want to find my best friend again," Ron said. "I want to see that she's safe."

Fred and George nodded.

"She's our sister," they said.

Bill looked at Charlie who shrugged.

"And just how are you suggesting that we get you to Tokyo without mum and dad throwing a fit?" Bill asked. He almost smiled at the hopeful looks he got.

"We thought that maybe you could use work as an excuse…" Fred started to say.

"…you could say you have something to do in Japan with Gringotts and we could come with you for a fun vacation," George finished.

Bill scratched his cheek with a finger and glanced at Charlie again.

"I don't know…" Charlie said. "It might work. It might be a nice way to distract them from their missing friend?"

Bill nodded thoughtfully.

"I suppose," he said.

...

...

AN: What do you think? XD

I used forever to decide how to write this chapter. I tried to write out the matches and Hari playing Momoshiro and Kaido, but I couldn't get it right. No matter what it just felt repetitive and boring. So, I decided to cover the aftermath of the ranking tournament instead. I felt like showing how Momoshiro reacted to losing his spot on the regulars and how it affected the team. I felt it turned out better than my other attempts so, I hope you liked it too. :)

Thank you for your patience and for reading and supporting my story! :) It means a lot to me.

Japanese words used:
Sempai - upperclassman
Hai - yes
Maa - well/ filler
Uso da - no way
Ie - no
Saa - filler
Nande - why
Haaaa - what
Anou - Err, well, filler
Arigatou - thank you