Disclaimer: I don't own Harry Potter or Prince of Tennis!
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...
Ron and Hermione were looking at her. Ron looked confused but also a little upset, though Hermione looked interested and intrigued.
"You want to learn how to fight?" Hermione asked.
"Kind of," Hari nodded. "I want to be able to defend myself and my friends and family."
"How…What…You could learn that at Hogwarts," Ron muttered.
Hari glanced at him before looking back at Hermione deciding to ignore Ron's comment for now. She wasn't sure he meant for her to hear him or not.
"I don't really want to have anything to do with magic anymore," Hari explained. "But…I guess I can't run away from magic even though I really want to."
"Hari, magic isn't a bad thing," Hermione said.
"Magic is not a great thing either," Hari shot back. "It always takes away what's important to me. My parents, Sirius, even Remus and now it threatens to take away my new family as well."
Hermione looked at her with a look that clearly said she disagreed but tried to keep it back. She did notice that Ron's ears were turning slightly red…
"What about us?" Ron asked. "We're magic. Do you regret meeting us? We're still here!"
"I know that," Hari blinked. "I…"
"You talk about your new life and everything here but what about us? What about mum and dad? They worry about you too." Ron demanded.
Hari looked at him and knew that he had reached his breaking point. She glanced at Hermione who looked concerned but she didn't interrupt only gave Hari a look that said that she needed to talk to him.
"I don't regret meeting you, Ron," Hari protested with a frown.
"It sure looks like it," he said and started to pace in her room. She watched him as he did and his ears turned even redder. "You only talk about tennis or your friends in tennis or your new family. I thought we were your family. We see you as one of us, but you only talk about Echizen and you never ask about how mum and dad are… It's like we don't matter to you at all."
Hari blinked.
"I…"She trailed off unable to find words because she really didn't know what to say. She could feel her throat thicken as tears welled up in her eyes but she forced them back because she didn't want to cry. Ron scoffed and turned his back on her and she could see the tension in his shoulders. He had gotten even taller she suddenly realised looking at him. She thought about what he had said and realised that she had probably neglected to ask about his family as she should have, but she couldn't help but feel a little disappointed that they had ignored sure signs of neglect from the Dursley's. She wouldn't call it abuse even if Rinko said it was. She just couldn't use that word, it made her feel weak. Though, logically she knew she wasn't weak.
"Ron, I don't mean it like that," she finally said. "I just… Can't you see that here I can be me without the whole Girl-Who-Lived pressure hanging over me?"
Ron slowly turned to look at her and she inhaled deeply at the look in his eyes. She couldn't quite name the emotions she saw in his eyes.
"You're still the Girl-Who-Lived even if you're here, Hari," Ron said. "It doesn't change who you are."
Hari flinched like she had been struck. A moment she couldn't react or do anything but then her hands fisted at her sides as she glared at him. His words hit home in a way she didn't really want to admit. She might have gotten a new determination to fight, but that didn't mean that she liked that stupid title or that she did this because of it.
"That's rubbish!" Hari snapped. "I'm Hari! I don't care about that title and if you can't see me as Hari then I don't even know why you're here!"
Hari got off her bed and stalked out of her room unable to stay in the same room as him anymore. His words hurt. She could feel tears in her eyes and this time she couldn't stop them from escaping and she quickly rubbed it angrily away with the back of her hand. He really did see her as the Girl-Who-Lived… She had thought…hoped that he had started to see her as Hari.
...
Hermione looked worriedly after Hari as she left the room and remembered the worries she had admitted to her earlier about how she feared them only seeing the Girl-Who-Lived and not her and not dealing with Hari breaking free from that title. Hermione glared angrily at Ron who blinked as the door closed behind Hari and looked confused but also stubborn. Without holding back (much) she hit his arm. Hard.
"Ouch!" he grumbled rubbing his arm as he glared at Hermione. "What did you do that for?!"
"Stupid git," Hermione hissed.
"What?" Ron asked defensively.
"How could you say that she is the Girl-Who-Lived?!" Hermione demanded.
"But…she is," Ron said.
"No, she's Hari!" Hermione snapped. "You idiot! Do you have any idea what you just did? Eh? What were you thinking?!"
"What?" Ron scowled. "I was just…"
"You were just nothing!" Hermione interrupted. "You just confirmed Hari's fears! She fears us only seeing what everyone else sees, Ron! The Girl-Who-Lived, the hero, the one who has to be perfect all the time and save the day!"
Ron frowned, "but that's not…"
"You said she was the Girl-Who-Lived and that even if she is here it doesn't change," Hermione repeated his words.
Ron was frowning even more deeply now and Hermione looked at him for a moment.
"Do…do you really just see her like that?" Hermione asked quietly.
"What? No!" Ron protested.
"You sure about that?" Hermione asked. "If Hari wasn't the Girl-Who-Lived would you still be her friend?"
Ron blinked.
"What kind of question is that?" Ron demanded angrily his ears turning red again.
Hermione stared at him and he scowled.
"Think about it," she said. "Hari has a right to be herself as well, you know. And she has her own dreams and hopes."
"I know that," Ron muttered.
"And she's allowed to have that independently from us," Hermione continued like he hadn't said anything. "I…I struggled to accept it. I wanted things to be as they were, but can't you see how much more free Hari is here, Ron? She can laugh without shadows in her eyes, and she can smile and have fun without worrying about You-Know-Who. Though, she has started to worry about him again now."
Hermione frowned at the last part. She had done a lot of thinking since her last talk with Hari and she realised that Hari was much more insecure than she had first believed. But now that she was more aware she kind of couldn't believe that she hadn't seen it before.
Ron didn't say anything and Hermione gave him one last disappointed look before she walked out of the room in search for Hari.
"Ah, Hermione-chan;" Rinko smiled.
"Do you know where Hari went?" Hermione asked.
Rinko looked momentarily surprised and glanced up the stairs.
"She left?" Rinko asked.
"Yeah…I…we kind of made her feel upset, I think," Hermione admitted ashamed.
"Well, she could have gone to the shrine," Rinko said. "I think I heard the door earlier but I thought it was Ryoma leaving."
"I see," Hermione said. "I'll see if she's there, then."
Rinko nodded and smiled at her making Hermione think that she was a rather warm woman and could see why Hari liked her so much.
...
Hari was seated in the bell tower (or what it was called) when Hermione found her and she could see that Hari had been crying but had wiped the tears off. She looked at the homemade tennis court with a sadness that had Hermione pause. What was she thinking? Had Ron really messed it up that bad?
"What are you doing here?" Hari asked not turning to look but obviously having heard or seen Hermione coming.
"I wanted to see if you were okay," Hermione said.
"I'm fine," Hari said.
Hermione walked up to the small bell tower (?) and sat down at the stairs and turned so she was facing Hari. She considered what to say. What could she say?
"You know he speaks without thinking," Hermione finally said.
"Yeah," Hari agreed. "That's how you learn what he really feels."
"No, you…" Hermione stopped.
"Whatever," Hari huffed. "I'm done trying to be someone I'm not. If that's not good enough for Ron, then…"
Hermione felt her eyes widen as she looked at Hari. She could see the hurt in her eyes but also the stubborn tilt of her head and she knew that Ron really had to do some grovelling if he wanted to fix this…
"He is just jealous, Hari," Hermione tried. "Please, just give him some time to think. He really cares about you. Don't doubt that."
Hari shrugged but didn't say anything and Hermione was not sure if she should involve herself more in this or not. She wished Ron had followed her but it didn't look like he had. Oh, why didn't he come running to apologize?!
"Um…about what you asked us about?" Hermione tried to change the subject back to the original starting point and saw Hari frown slightly before she turned to look at Hermione.
...
"I want to know what classes you think would be the best in order to learn how to defend myself with magic," Hari finally said. "If I have to learn more magic I want it to be in order to help me keep my new life here and all of those I care about. Including you and Ron."
Then a pause.
"If he gets his head out of his arse", Hari muttered so quietly that Hermione almost missed it.
"You've been thinking about this?" Hermione asked slightly surprised and felt a stab of guilt for not thinking that Hari would.
Hari shrugged and looked back over the tennis court.
"I have been lately," she admitted. "If I can't get away from magic then it should work for me instead of taking things from me if that makes sense."
Hermione nodded thoughtfully.
"Well, Defence Against the Dark Arts is a given," Hermione said and Hari nodded. "Then I guess Charms and Transfiguration are solid options as well."
"That's what I thought as well," Hari said. "But, do you think that's enough? I don't have the time to do a full course of magic. I can't do that with my muggle schooling and tennis at the same time."
Hermione frowned slightly but nodded.
"I think I would add some ancient runes," Hermione finally said. "Maybe they have some special ones that are connected to Japanese folklore or something. Though, it might be a bit too much to add that on top of everything else…"
Hermione looked down disappointed as she thought about the missed opportunity to learn something new but she looked up when she heard Hari chuckle and found Hari watching her with an amused smile.
"Never change, Hermione," Hari smiled looking a little more relaxed now.
"What?" Hermione asked confused.
"You're going to lookup more about Japanese magic when you get a free moment aren't you?" Hari asked with a knowing look and Hermione blushed a little.
"Well, it would be interesting…" Hermione said.
"I guess I should maybe talk to Gringotts?" Hari frowned pensively.
"Why?" Hermione asked blinking at the sudden change in subject.
"Maybe they have ways for me to buy some Runes or something," Hari said. "Protection around the house, you know?"
Hermione nodded thoughtfully.
"I guess there are some runes that would work like wards," she said trying to remember some she had learned this last year. "Professor Babbling did talk about it but she didn't go into depth because we're not set to learn more about it until fifth or sixth year."
Hari nodded.
...
Hari couldn't help but smile slightly as she and Hermione aired ideas. It was nice to have someone there she could actually talk to about magic when she needed it, even if she didn't want to talk about it a lot. But now when she was worried about it and wanted to actually step up and fight for what she wanted it was nice to have Hermione there. It almost felt like they were back to solving a mystery at Hogwarts again and a nostalgic feeling she couldn't quite understand filled her. She didn't miss the mysteries at Hogwarts, did she? The absence of Ron there beside them was something Hari did her best not to think about.
Hari frowned slightly as she pondered the new question that turned up in her mind. Deciding that she would think about it later she pushed the thought out of her mind and went back to focusing on the ideas that they were discussing.
"I guess we could go to the magical district," Hermione said pensively. "Maybe Bill could come with us?"
Hari bit down on her lower lip as she considered this.
"I don't know," Hari frowned. "You think Bill would be willing to help? And not ask too many questions?"
Hermione thought for a moment.
"He doesn't seem like the type to ask too many questions, Hari," Hermione said. "I think it will be easier to get the Goblins to help with Bill's help. They are very suspicious of wizards and witches, and with good reason, but if Bill who works with them they might be a little more agreeable."
Hari nodded thoughtfully as Hermione talked.
"You know Bill better than me," Hari said. "Then I guess we'll ask him if he would accompany us tomorrow."
"You could ask him if he knows more about wards and runes, as well," Hermione said.
"Maybe," Hari said.
...
"Hari-chan!" An yelled making both Hari and Hermione jump as they turned toward the gates of the shrine and saw the other girl coming running toward them.
"An-chan," Hari said getting up from her position and smiled slightly. "What are you doing here?"
"You didn't answer your phone!" An complained.
Hari blinked and pulled out her phone and gave An an apologetic look. "Ah, sorry, I didn't realise that it was on mute."
"Well, you should be sorry," An said dramatically as she collapsed on the ground breathing harder.
"How did you know I was here?" Hari asked.
"Your mum told me," An said. "And do you know that your older brother is hot?"
Hermione giggled when Hari grimaced.
"He's my brother," Hari said. "Please don't say that."
It was An that giggled now and Hari pouted.
"He is, isn't he?" Hermione added and Hari sighed as she plopped down next to An with a suffering sigh as An laughed for real now and high-fived Hermione.
"What do you want?" Hari asked trying to get the conversation away from Ryoga and how hot he was.
An blinked.
"What's wrong with Momoshiro-kun?" An asked turning wide eyes to Hari.
Hermione looked confused as she looked between Hari and An.
"He hasn't asked you out yet?" Hari asked.
"No, and he keeps calling me Tachibana's little sister!" An complained. "It's not like he doesn't know my name!"
Hari's lips twitched slightly as she looked at the pout on An's lips.
"Momo-chan can be a little dense," Hari said.
"It's strange to hear you call someone dense, Hari," Hermione commented amusedly.
Hari mock glared at her, "well, it's true. Momo-chan probably has no idea that you like him, An-chan."
"What can I do?" An asked. "I don't know how to get him to catch on…"
Hari hummed as she leaned against one of the poles and looked at An. She wasn't sure since (let's be honest here) she wasn't exactly that good at this kind of things herself. She glanced at Hermione who seemed to have caught on to what the problem was.
"Have you spent time with him?" Hermione asked.
"Yes," An nodded. "I meet him at the street court sometimes and we play tennis together, and talk."
"You should just ask him out yourself," Hari said.
"Eh? But…" An's eyes widened as she stared at Hari. "I can't do that!"
"It could be risky," Hermione agreed.
"Momo-chan probably won't catch on otherwise," Hari shrugged. "He likes you, An-chan. I'm sure about that, but he probably hasn't realised it yet or knows what to do about it."
An was silent for a moment and worried her lip as she thought and Hari didn't press her.
"You think that would work?" An finally asked looking nervous.
"I think it's the best chance," Hari nodded. "Though, I would probably get him to meet you before you tell him that it's a date."
Both An and Hermione stared at her.
"Why?" An asked.
"It's the best way to get his attention and show that you're serious," Hari shrugged before smiling. "Besides, it will be more amusing that way."
Hermione snorted while An looked pensive.
"Do you have his number?" An asked determined.
"Of course," Hari grinned.
...
It was the next day and Hari was pleased that they didn't have a practice that day. She had decided (in agreement with Hermione) that she would go to Gringotts and get started with her plan. While she had to wait until she got to talk with the advisor Hisakawa would send over to decide on the subjects she could take, she could get started on her other plans.
She saw Ryoma and Momoshiro walk out of the school together and she smiled slightly as she thought about An and her plans. She hoped that the other girl went through with it and that she managed to get Momoshiro. Thinking about it she quickly sent a text to An wishing her luck.
She saw Hermione and Bill standing at the corner and felt her stomach drop when she realised that Ron wasn't there. She tried to push the disappointment she felt away as she smiled at Bill.
"Thank you for coming," Hari said.
"No problem," he smiled easily enough. "If I can help with the goblins then I'm glad."
Hari smiled and nodded.
"I haven't really been to the magical district here," Hari said.
"Not even once?" Hermione asked surprised.
"I don't really want to be recognised," Hari said. "Even here I am rather well known to the magical population. Unfortunately."
With that said (ignoring the sad look from Hermione and the curious slash concerned one from Bill) she pulled out a cap that she had borrowed from Ryoma. She put it on and made sure it covered her scar and slightly shadowed her face.
They made their way to the hidden entrance to the magical district and instead of a brick wall like in London, there was an archway in a temple that led to the magical district in Tokyo. And just like the pub, only magical people could see the temple and therefore the archway inside of it.
"I wish I could bring Sei-chan here," Hari sighed as she looked at all the flowers inside the temple. He would love all these flowers, and some were magical and she knew he would be completely fascinated by the flowers here.
She saw a monk (a real one and not like Nanjiro) walk down a path and paused as if he felt her looking at him. He was bald and was dressed simply in a grey monk suit (or whatever it was called), and even from a distance, she felt the weight of his eyes on her as she felt like he was seeing straight through her before he bowed and continued on his way.
She shook herself out of whatever it was and followed Hermione and Bill to the archway and passed through it.
...
She blinked as she looked around the magical district and couldn't help the awe she felt. It was similar to the way she felt the first time she had seen Diagon Alley before everything had tainted the way she saw magic. It was a cross between traditional and modern, with some skyscrapers but there were traditional buildings in between. While it sounded strange and maybe a little too mismatch it made a very awe-inspiring picture.
"It's great, isn't it?" Hermione asked.
Hari swallowed and nodded. She couldn't help but feel tense and on edge as she walked. She couldn't help but feel that everyone who glanced at her would see through her light disguise… She did her best to calm herself down. She had to act normal or she would stick out just because she acted strangely.
She watched the people walking through the streets; some were hurrying while others were taking their time. She saw a little girl running through the street with a boy a little older than her chasing after her, they were both laughing.
"This way," Bill said leading the way through the streets until they reached a large building. While Gringotts in Diagon Alley was made of marble and looked impressive this one was made in traditional Japanese style and looked to be old but the details on the woodwork were amazing. The small figurines were even moving.
Hari looked away from the building and followed Bill into the bank. She noticed the Goblins behind their high counters. She wondered if they purposely had the counters so high in order to be able to look down at the wizards coming to the bank. It was a stray thought but she couldn't help but wonder.
She followed Bill who walked purposely to one of the counters and she saw the Goblin there nod his head slightly in recognition.
"Mr Weasley," the Goblin greeted his voice scratchy and hoarse.
"Rodrock," Bill said respectfully. "Hope you're having an awarding day flowing with gold."
The Goblin, Rodrock Hari corrected herself, nodded and gave Bill a searching look before he folded his hands together as he stared at the tall redhead.
"What can I do for you, Mr Weasley?" he asked.
"I was hoping you might have time to talk to a friend of mine," Bill said. "She has some questions about runes and wards you have to offer. We all know that Goblins have the best ones."
Rodrock narrowed his eyes for a moment before he glanced behind Bill and for the first time let his sharp blue eyes land on Hari. Hari felt like shifting on her feet under the stare but forced herself to remain still and met his eyes calmly.
"Follow me," he said sharply.
Hari glanced at Bill who gave a subtle nod and they followed the Goblin to an office. It was of medium size, or at least it looked like that to Hari, but it was elegantly decorated and proof of their wealth and fortune. She suddenly wished she had paid more attention to Professor Binns when he talked about the Goblins…
"Now," Rodrock said as he had taken a seat behind the desk and directed them to chairs in front of the desk. "What was it about wards and runes you wanted to know?"
Hari swallowed and noticed Bill look at her and she knew she had to take over now since Bill didn't really know the details about what they wanted.
"Good day, Rodrock-san," Hari got to her feet and bowed politely to the Goblin missing the startled look he gave her before he schooled his expression into an impassive mask again. "I'm Echizen Hari, but you might formally know me as Harriett Potter."
She decided that if she wanted the Goblin's help then she had to be honest and she couldn't hide who she really was. She removed the cap she was wearing as she turned her green eyes to his and saw the surprise in his eyes but he hid it quickly.
"And what would Miss Potter want with our runes?" Rodrock asked.
Hari inhaled and sat back down trying to remain calm and not look to Hermione who was beside her. She didn't want to appear uncertain and weak.
"I take it you know my history," Hari looked at him.
"Even among Goblins you are famous, Miss Potter," Rodrock said dryly. "You are well known among the magical countries."
Hari couldn't help the grimace that crossed her face as he spoke and she earned a curious look from the Goblin.
"You do not like your fame?" he asked.
"Not particularly, no," Hari said honestly. "But there's nothing I can do about it, or so it seems."
He just stared at her with a searching look in his eyes.
"Well, I wanted to ask for runes for protection around the house," Hari said deciding to keep going with what she came there for. "As you may have guessed I was recently adopted by a non-magical family and I do not want to place them in more danger than necessary. I know that given them being muggles I can't use too noticeable magic in order to protect them, or others will notice. But we had the thought that runes might be the thing we needed for that. Do you have some that could be of help, Rodrock-san?"
He was silent for a long time and Hari fought her impatience as she waited for him to say something. She wanted to ask him to answer but knew she shouldn't rush him.
"There might be some runes that could be of help for you, Miss Potter," Rodrock said.
Hari bit her lip to stop herself from snapping that she wasn't Hari Potter anymore. If her being a Potter would help then she guessed she would use it.
"How much would it cost?" Hari asked.
He looked at her again before he snapped his fingers and another Goblin came through the side door. She glanced at him before looking back at Rodrock who said something in a language she didn't understand and the other Goblin nodded and left. Not long after he returned with a stack of parchment and placed it on the desk in front of Rodrock.
"This is a guide for our runes," Rodrock explained. "We will see which ones you might be interested in and then we'll discuss the price."
Hari nodded and glanced at Hermione who looked interested and curiously at the stack of parchment and Hari knew she longed for a chance to read through it.
"There is a rune that will stop those with bad intention toward you or your family from entering the house," Rodrock said placing one of the parchment to the side. "Then there's one that will signal you if someone is trying to break-in. Another is to freeze the intruder so that they can't escape."
Hari nodded as he spoke.
"Those sounds amazing," she said. "Though, I am a little worried about the last one. What if the one breaking-in is a muggle? Won't that revile magic to them?"
"There's always the memory charm;" Rodrock said, "but we can tweak it so that it only reacts to a magical signature and therefor only freeze them."
Hari listened to him as he continued to list runes and what they did but she thought he had already mentioned those most relevant for her and her need. She couldn't have anything that could reveal magic to muggles should someone not magical trigger the runes. It would cause too much trouble.
...
"I would like the first three you mentioned," Hari said before glancing at Hermione and then Bill. Hermione had been a part of the discussion and asked questions when Hari hadn't known what to ask, while Bill had remained silent and just observed them with a pensive look in his clear blue eyes.
"I think those would be the best," Hermione nodded in agreement.
"Bill?" Hari asked looking at the eldest of the Weasley brothers.
"Those are good choices, Hari," Bill nodded. "Though, I would choose the tweaked one so that you don't accidentally reveal magic to someone."
Hari nodded and looked at Rodrock who had been quiet as he waited for them to talk about it.
"You have decided?" he asked.
"I…um, yes," Hari nodded. "Though I know I have some money in my vault, but I don't know how much. It was left for my schooling, but since I'm not attending Hogwarts anymore I guess I don't need it for the school supplies…"
Rodrock arched a brow at her.
"You never got a list over your vaults?" he asked.
Hari blinked.
"Eh? Vaults? I only have the one…" She said.
"I see," Rodrock said and got up. "Wait here."
...
Hari looked confused as the Goblin left the office and then looked at Hermione and Bill. Bill looked thoughtful while Hermione looked just as confused as Hari.
"Wonder what that is about," Hari said before sighing tiredly as she glanced at the clock. She winced slightly. They had been here for longer than she thought, and she knew they would be expecting her home soon.
"You didn't talk to your account manager when you visited Gringotts the first time?" Bill finally asked.
"No," Hari shook her head confused. "Should I have?"
Bill frowned but didn't answer making Hari glanced at Hermione who shrugged.
Rodrock entered the room again took his seat before he pulled out another parchment and a knife. Hari eyed the knife before looking at the Goblin.
"An inheritance test," Rodrock said sharply. "I will only need a drop of your blood."
Hari grimaced but when Bill nodded she agreed.
"It's needed in order to confirm your identity," Bill explained.
She accepted the knife from Rodrock and cut her finger barely wincing as she felt the cut and saw the blood trickle out of the small cut. She let a drop fall to the parchment when Rodrock motioned for her to do so and she smiled in thanks to Bill when he healed her cut with a simple spell.
She watched as writing started to appear on the parchment and read it when Rodrock offered it to her.
...
Inheritance Confirmation – Test Results:
Name: Echizen Harriet Lily (formally Potter)
Mother: Lily Potter (nee Evans)
Father: James Potter
Adopted mother: Echizen Rinko
Adopted father: Echizen Nanjiro
Adopted brothers: Echizen Ryoma - Echizen Ryoga
Godfather: Sirius Black
School vault: 30 000 Gallons, 15 Sickles and 342 Knuts
Main vault: 800 000 Gallons, 380 Sickles and 212 Knuts
...
Hari couldn't help but blink. It was more money than she had thought and she vaguely wondered what the exchange rate was between Gallon's and pounds were, or better yet yen. She thought she would maybe ask Bill later but right now she couldn't think about that.
...
It was late afternoon when they stepped back through the archway that brought them back to regular Tokyo and while Hari had enjoyed seeing the magical part of the city (she could admit that it was amazing) she felt a wave of relief filled her as she knew she was back at the normal side again.
She lingered behind the other two as she paused to look at a flower; she thought it looked like one of the flowers Seiichi had shown her. It suddenly bloomed in front of her; the white flower opened up and seemed to shine slightly as she stared at it in awe.
"Do you like the flower, Miss?" a calm voice asked her and she jumped before turning to see the same monk from earlier looking at her.
"It's beautiful," Hari said when she found her voice again.
"It's the asphodel," the monk said. "It's from the lily family."
"Oh," Hari said looking back at it. "I remember it from school, but…that one didn't shine like this one."
"It wouldn't," the monk said. "This one is special. It's the magical energy from this place that gives it the shining quality. It is also purer than the other one."
Hari smiled slightly but blinked when she noticed the way he looked at her. It was like he was trying to read her and she suddenly felt uncomfortable and nervous. She shifted slightly on her feet.
"I…um… It was nice to meet you, but I should find my friends," Hari said as politely as she could.
He nodded and smiled.
"You're always welcome back, Miss Potter," he said. "When the need arises. Help will be found here."
He turned and left before she could find her voice. She shook herself slightly before she glanced at the flower one more time (wishing that she could show it to Seiichi) and turned to catch up to Hermione and Bill.
She was almost out of the shrine when she stopped mid-step and her eyes widened. He had used her name. He knew who she was! But…She hadn't let him see the scar. She was sure she had it covered. So how did he know her name?
"Hari? Are you coming?" Hermione called.
...
Hari and Hermione walked to a nearby restaurant to eat dinner. Bill had said he should go back and meet his brothers and had told Hermione to be sure not to stay out too long. They were about to sit down when she noticed someone waving at her.
"Hari-chan!"
Hari smiled and changed direction knowing that Hermione would follow her.
"Hello, Minoru-chan," Hari smiled before looking to the side and saw Seiichi smiling at her with that smile that always made her heart skip a beat. "Sei-chan."
"Hello, Hari-chan," Yukimura Kazumi smiled.
"Yukimura-san," Hari smiled. "Nice to see you."
"You too," Kazumi said. "Who's your friend?"
"Oh," Hari said realising that Hermione was there as well. "This is one of my best friends from England, Hermione Granger. Hermione, this is Sei-chan's family, his cousin Minoru-chan and his aunt Yukimura Kazumi."
"Nice to meet you," Hermione said politely.
"Do you want to join us?" Kazumi asked.
Hari looked at Hermione letting it know it was up to her and when Hermione nodded Hari accepted for them and she took the free seat next to Seiichi while Hermione sat on the other side of the table beside Minoru.
"I didn't expect to see you here," Seiichi looked at her curiously.
"We have been exploring," Hari explained knowing she couldn't say they had been to the magical district in Tokyo. "And got hungry so we decided to stop here to eat."
"Oh, Hari did you remember to let Rinko-san know?" Hermione asked.
"Oh," Hari blinked. "I forgot."
Seiichi chuckled amused while Minoru and Kazumi smiled. Hari pulled out her phone and turned it back on (since it turned itself off when they were at Gringotts and electronics didn't work in magical places). Immediately her phone started to buzz and she blinked.
"Someone seems to have been trying to reach you," Seiichi observed dryly.
"Ah," Hari nodded. "Whoops."
"Hopefully It's not your dad," Seiichi said, "or I am sure he'll blame me for you not answering your phone."
Hari glanced at him and saw the smile on his face. He looked too amused but she couldn't help the laugh that escaped and stuck out her tongue at him making him laugh again.
"He won't…well, he probably would do that," Hari huffed.
Seiichi reached out and gently pushed some of her stray strands of hair out of her face while she found Rinko's information and pressed the call button trying not to blush as she felt Seiichi's fingers against her cheek. He pulled back when she lifted the phone to her ear.
Both were unaware of the curious yet contemplative look they got from Hermione.
When Hari had let Rinko know where she was and apologized for not calling earlier (not that she could have) she checked her messages and felt her eyebrows rise as she saw the unanswered calls she had received from Inui before he had texted her, she also saw texts from Kikumaru and even Kawamura and Oishi.
"What's going on," she muttered.
"Eh?" Hermione looked at her. "Hari?"
Hari didn't answer as she read through the texts.
...
Hari-chan! Hari-chan! Why aren't you picking up the phone, nya? Momo-chan is on a date! (Kikumaru)
Hari-chan, we are observing Momoshiro and the captain of Fudomine's little sister on a date. Echizen is there too. Do you want to come and join us? There's a lot of interesting data! (Inui)
Hari-chan, do you think they will be okay? Echizen and Momoshiro can't fight on a date! They will be emotionally scarred! What do you think? We should stop them, right? This can't go on. You should come and help! (Oishi)
What's this about Echizen and Momoshiro going on a date?! (Kawamura)
...
"Seriously," Hari huffed as she skimmed the rest of the messages (they were more or less the same). "They really can't help themselves."
"What are you talking about?" Hermione asked impatiently.
Hari looked up and realised that the others were looking at her. She had completely forgotten them as she read the messages.
"What's so fascinating that you're forgetting to eat?" Seiichi asked.
"Well, An-chan had a date with Momo-chan today," Hari said.
"She really went through with it?" Hermione asked.
"Yeah," Hari nodded. "He seems to have dragged Ryo-chan with him, though."
"Your brother?" Minoru asked curiously. "But why would he bring him to a date?"
Hari shrugged looking slightly annoyed, "who knows. Seems like most of my team discovered them and decided to spy."
"Again?" Seiichi asked amused.
"Again?" Hermione asked confused.
"They tried the same with me before they knew who my boyfriend was," Hari rolled her eyes. "They followed me all the way from school and until I met Jiro-kun and his team at a tennis court."
She glanced nervously at Seiichi at the mention of Saeki but he didn't react to the name.
"Okay, so what happened today?" Minoru asked.
Hari shook her head, "confusion. Seems like they worried that Ryo-chan and Momo-chan were both interested in An-chan. Don't really know if they actually managed to get to actually spy on them or if they just were freaking out on their own…Who knows with my team, they're crazy."
Hari laughed lightly.
"Poor An-chan," Hermione said.
Hari nodded.
Kazumi was smiling as she looked at the teens talking and eating.
...
"Hey, An-chan," Hari said when An answered her phone. "How was your date?"
Hari had arrived home and was lingering outside in order to talk to An without interruptions. She was curious about how the date really went and if the spying team had ruined it for her.
"It was fine," An said with a sigh. "It didn't really go as planned, though."
"But did you and Momo-chan get to talk? Did you tell him that you liked him?" Hari asked.
"I…no," An said. "I was going to, but…"
"He brought Ryo-chan with him, I heard," Hari frowned.
"It wasn't that bad," An said. "We went to the street court where we use to play tennis. They have built more courts there so I thought it would be fun to show him, but Kamio-kun and Ibu-kun were there and Kamio-kun went a little overprotective and provoked Momoshiro-kun into a fight."
Hari blinked.
"Ah," she said. "That can't have been good."
"Then someone else showed up," An said, "I think your team have played them because Echizen introduced them as the one he beat, the one Fuji beat and the one Momoshiro beat. Though, I think one of them was Fuji-san's brother."
Hari snorted at that. "Typical Ryo-chan."
An continued to tell her about how they had ended up playing and Momoshiro had played double with Kamio on his team against Ryoma and Ibu. Hari sighed as she shook her head, this date hadn't really gone as planned.
"You're team showed up at the end, I think," An said, "but I had to leave then because Kippei-nii-chan called me."
"I'm sorry, An-chan," Hari said. "I guess my plan didn't work out that well."
"It's fine," An said. "I had fun, and I think Momoshiro-kun also had some fun and maybe next time I'll be able to confess to him…"
"You're still going to do it?" Hari asked with a smile.
"Yeah," An confirmed and Hari was sure she was blushing.
...
Hari was exhausted when she fell back onto the bed and closed her eyes. It had been a long day and she felt like her head was drowning in all the new information she had learned and decisions she had made. She had agreed to buy three runes from the goblins at Gringotts. It had been expensive, but worth it. She had no way to learn that much about Runes quickly enough to have use for it now. So it had been a good idea to go to someone who was good.
Her mind went back to Ron and his absence. It had hurt that he hadn't come with Hermione and his brother; it was like he said he really didn't want anything more to do with her now that he knew she was not coming back.
But it couldn't have been such a shock, could it? She had resigned from Hogwarts, after all. If that wasn't a big enough clue that she was done with that school she didn't know what was. But the hurt in his eyes and voice when he asked if she regretted meeting them replayed in her mind and she frowned. Had she made it look like that? She hadn't meant for it to look like that. She was grateful to Ron and Hermione. They were her best friends (apart from Ryoma of course).
She would need to think more about this and talk to Ron. If he wanted to talk to her again, that is…
She turned in her bed and closed her eyes as she tried to clear her mind and get to sleep. It was only a couple of days before they had another match, after all. She couldn't afford not to be fully focused on the practice tomorrow.
...
...
AN: What do you think? XD
There will be more Ron in the next chapter! I just didn't want the chapter to get too long (and wanted to update it now). Also, I feel like he needs more time. Do you have any wishes for how he will proceed? I have my ideas, but I am always curious as to what you think. :) Also, I have decided to bring some of the Japanese culture into this. It will probably be a mix of Shinto and Buddhism. From what I have learned both of these have had a great influence over Japanese culture. I will admit that I don't know that much about either of these but I have been reading a little about it and finds it very interesting. If you know some good online resources about it then please let me know ;)
One more thing before I finish the author note; The date between An and Momoshiro is in reference to episode 71 of the anime. Of course, in this fic, it is a little more real than it was in the anime where I have a feeling that it was more to bring Momoshiro and Kamio to play together that was An's goal. Though, I wouldn't be surprised if she really did like Momoshiro. ;) I just decided that I didn't want to focus on it too much and rather focus on Hari and her steps in preparing to learn to defend herself. If anything is unclear feel free to ask me and I'll do my best to answer! :)
Well, hope you liked it! And as always thank you so much for your support and for reading my story! :)