Disclaimer: I don't own Harry Potter or Prince of Tennis!
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"Parsletongue"
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Keigo frowned as he looked out over the large garden at the back of his house. He couldn't get the conversation with Hari out of his mind. He had met her for lunch and while it had started alright and he had enjoyed talking with her it had turned…bad when they had started to talk about the tournament.
Keigo's frowned deepened as he remembered the look Hari had given him. It hadn't been anger, it would have been better if she had been angry, but disappointment. She had been disappointed in him and Keigo found that he really didn't like that.
"I never thought you would actually play in a way that hoped that your opponent would get injured."
That was what Hari had said. The words hurt and the tone of her voice had him flinch just remembering it. He remembered the match (of course he did – it had only been a couple of days since it happened) and he remembered getting sucked into it and just wanting to win. Tezuka had always made him feel so competitive and lose his control in a way that no one else did. But he had never really wanted anyone to get injured when playing tennis before. Not like he had with Tezuka.
Why had he done that? Why had he wished to crush him so badly?
"He won't play anymore in the tournament. At least I doubt it and if he does…I think he'll ruin any chance he has to play again later. I'm not a doctor, of course, but…I think his shoulder is really bad."
Guilt welled up inside of him as he remembered Hari telling him that bluntly and a colder look in her eyes as she looked at him. That hurt too. She had grown to look at him with warm eyes and like she liked what she saw. Like she found him worthy or something and Keigo didn't want to lose that.
He thought hard and long about what had gone through him that day of the match. He needed to figure it out so he could make it right, and make Hari look at him like she wanted him to be her family again. That she found him worthy of being her god-brother.
He slept poorly that night and when the morning finally came he was up before the alarm rang or the maid came to wake him up. He skipped breakfast as he made his way to the school and found the coach in his office early as always.
"Atobe," Sakaki said looking up from his papers and his voice calm and stoic. Like normal.
"Here," he said and dropped a brochure on the desk in front of the coach.
Sakaki picked it up and looked at it before looking back at Keigo.
"What's this?"
"I want you to take that to Seigaku's coach," Keigo said working on keeping his voice calm and unaffected.
"Why?" Sakaki arched a brow.
"Because they will need it in order to help Tezuka," Keigo said bluntly. "Tell her that there's a program that helps cover the costs for the treatments."
Sakaki looked at Keigo and if Keigo had been any less than he was he would have shifted under the stare and snapped what he wanted, but he kept quiet and still as he looked back at his coach. (p
"And is there such a program?" Sakaki asked and Keigo knew that his coach already knew the answer as the sharp look in his eyes never left him.
"Just tell them," Keigo said turning to leave.
"Atobe," Sakaki stopped him. "Why are you doing this? Is it because you feel guilty?"
Keigo hesitated for a moment.
"It's part of it," Keigo admitted turning around again. "I never played like that before."
"You played a good match," Sakaki said leaning back but his sharp eyes were still observing Keigo who normally wouldn't allow anyone to look at him like that. But this was his coach and one of few people who had Keigo's respect. "Though, I already told you about what I think about purposely trying to injure your opponent. That is not how Hyotei plays tennis."
Keigo hid a flinch at the reminder and he remembered him telling that after the match when they were alone.
"You might win the game but you would have lost something more important," Sakaki continued. "Your integrity."
"I know," Keigo said fisting his hands.
"Have you thought more about why you did it?" Sakaki asked.
"Because she chose him and his team over me," Keigo admitted. "I wanted to prove to her that she should have come here and that I was better than him."
Sakaki looked at him for a moment and Keigo felt a stab again as the look in his eyes resembled Hari's disappointed look, though Hari's hurt more.
"I didn't even realise that I still thought that," Keigo said. "But I did, and now I'm trying to make up for it. If I were to give that to Tezuka he won't accept it. That's why I need you to do it, coach. It's the only way I'll be able to keep looking Hari-chan in the eye and still be someone worth her smiles."
Sakaki stared at him and Keigo felt uncomfortable because he never admitted to something like this, but the words were out of his mouth before he could stop them. He huffed and turned away again in an abrupt movement before walking to the door.
"I'll do it, Atobe," he heard Sakaki say just as he left the office.
...
Hari was sitting on a bench looking at two children playing tennis and she couldn't help but smile a little as she watched them. It filled her with such a nostalgic feeling just looking at them that she even forgot part of the reason why she had left the practice before she could be dragged off with Ryoma or Momoshiro for a burger or something like that.
But watching the two playing tennis with such happiness and clearly just starting out on their journey in the sport had her remembering the first time she met Ryoma. The way he had smiled at her and asked her to play tennis with him. She hadn't even known the rules and had only seen tennis briefly on the television but it was always just brief glances before Dudley had switched channels to find some child program to watch instead.
"Do you want to play with me?" Ryoma asked.
"Play?" Hari blinked not able to believe that he actually asked her.
"Yeah. Tennis," Ryoma nodded. "It's fun!"
Hari stared at him. "You want to play with me?"
He looked at her strangely before he laughed and nodded, "of course! Come on!"
Hari agreed and borrowed a racket from him when he learned she hadn't one and patiently showed her how to hold the racket.
"I'm sorry;" she said embarrassed and sure he would tell her she was ruining everything.
"What for?" Ryoma looked at her. "Everyone has just started to play at one point. No one can do it without having to learn first. That's what dad says at least."
Hari stared at him and noticed the smile again and no one had looked at her like that before. She smiled shyly and went back to learning how to swing the racket.
Hari was shaken out of the memory as the boys exclaimed; one of triumph and another of disappointment. She smiled again. How much fun she'd had when she first started to play. She hadn't even expected to be able to continue but Ryoma asked her to meet him again the next day and the next and before she knew it she had her first friend and had started her own journey in learning the game.
Just watching them reminded her of how much it had meant to her back when she was still living with the Dursley's and before Hogwarts. How it had given her hope and most importantly, how it had lead Ryoma into her life. She was so grateful. Without him and later his parents in her life she wasn't sure how she would have turned out by the time Hogwarts came. She didn't really doubt that she would have lost faith in people and became bitter and angry. It was Ryoma who showed her that there existed different kinds of people than her so-called family.
So, that's why she had trouble reaching out to Ron and make it better because she wasn't sure how to make him see that without making it sound like she wished she never had gone to Hogwarts and had been adopted by Nanjiro and Rinko right away. He saw her being here and playing tennis as losing her, as her choosing this life over him and the old life.
He wasn't exactly wrong, but he wasn't completely right either. She didn't regret meeting Ron and Hermione. They were her best friends and had been there for her during some of her darkest moments at Hogwarts and that meant a lot to Hari. But she was aware that they did see her as the Girl-Who-Lived. Even Hermione did that, but she was getting better now. They didn't seem to think that her facing Voldemort two times in two years was something she shouldn't be doing.
Well, they did think it was early and that it was terrible and all that. They worried, but…but it wasn't like they thought it was unexpected. If that was the right word to use. It was like if there was anyone in the school who should be facing Voldemort it should be her. And that's what she hated. Why should she? She had only been 11 and 12 years old when she faced him (not counting when she was a year old). She shouldn't have been in a position where she felt she had to be the one to save the day.
But life with Ryoma was…free. She could be herself and while she hadn't told them everything about her old life or the fame she had in the magical world she had seen the way they reacted to some of what she had told them and they had acted on it. Rinko had gone all the way to England in order to make sure she never had to go back to her aunt and uncle. She had made sure that Hari was safe and that she could be with them for as long as she wished.
It was something no one else had done. While she always would be grateful for how Mrs and Mr Weasley had opened their home for her and let her stay the summer between her first and second year at Hogwarts and how Mrs Weasley always sent her something for Christmas, they had not acted on the…the clear unhappiness and neglect they had seen from the Dursley's.
A movement to her right had her look and saw Tezuka standing here looking at the children as well. He looked like he had been on his way home. She could see that he too was sucked into memories as he looked at the two children playing. She wondered what he was remembering before she wondered what was up with him. He had shown up at their practice earlier and he hadn't done that since he was injured. She frowned slightly as she remembered the match and how Keigo had…No, she was not going to think about that now.
"You look like you're lost in thoughts, Captain," Hari called out and saw him startled slightly before looking over at her. He hesitated for a moment before he walked over to her and looked at her with those sharp eyes of his.
"So do you," he said. "Remembering something?"
She hid her surprise at the question. He wasn't really one to ask something that was remotely personal. But she smiled as she looked back to the still playing children.
"How I first met Ryo-chan," Hari said deciding to be honest.
"You met him on a tennis court?" Tezuka asked.
"Yes," Hari chuckled. "He was playing and I just happened to pass by and he asked me if I wanted to play. I never played before so it ended up with him teaching me about tennis and how to hold the racket."
Tezuka smiled slightly as he turned his head and looked at the children.
"They remind me of me," He finally said. "I remember playing like this once."
Hari smiled as she imagined it. "I don't think I can imagine you as a carefree child."
His lips twitched slightly as he sat down beside her and she again hid her surprise.
"Oh?" He looked at her. "And how would you imagine me?"
Hari smiled and tilted her head as she looked at him, "hm. Well, rather stoic and serious, I guess. Though, when I think about it… you do seem to change slightly on the court when you play. You are more open then, so maybe I can imagine you like them."
He arched a brow but didn't comment on it. She knew she hadn't offended him because he did smile slightly.
"You're going away, aren't you?" Hari finally broke the silence between them and saw him look at her again.
"How did you know?" he asked.
Hari sighed sadly. She had a feeling that it was something like that ever since he had shown up at the practice. He had stopped to give advice to the junior members and had been looking at them all with such a sad yet proud and searching look in his eyes. He had talked more than he normally did as well, and not to mention the way Ryuzaki had looked at Tezuka had been another clue.
"Just a feeling I had," Hari said. "And how you acted and Ryuzaki-sensei."
"You're very observant," Tezuka commented after a pause. "Hari-chan."
Hari smiled slightly and nodded, "I guess I am. So, where and when are you going?"
"A clinic in Germany," Tezuka said. "It's the best hope I have to treat my shoulder. And soon..."
Hari nodded, "that's good, then. But I'll miss you."
Tezuka looked at her and she saw the surprise in his eyes before he hid it. She guessed he would be because they weren't exactly that close. They hadn't really spent that much time together and certainly not alone and outside of something tennis related.
"You're my friend even if we haven't spent much time together," Hari said before he could say anything. "You always have helped me out with my tennis."
He looked a little stunned again but then his face fell back into the familiar stoic mask.
"It was my pleasure to help," he said and she rolled her eyes lightly the formality in his voice.
...
When Hari came home it was getting late and she found Nanako running after Karupin who seemed to be trying to escape a bath and the mewing was growing more frantic.
"Ryoma-kun! Catch Karupin!" Nanako called.
Hari who was just about to open the door more so she could step inside saw Ryoma try to catch the cat but he missed and Karupin came right at her. With the help of her reflexes, she managed to catch the cat before he escaped outside.
"Ah! Thank you!" Nanako exclaimed relieved. "No more running, Karupin! You have to take a bath!"
Karupin gave a sad mew and tried to escape again and Hari almost felt bad when Karupin gave her a betrayed look.
"Sorry, Karupin," Hari waved.
Ryoma snorted as Nanako (and Karupin) disappeared deeper into the house. Hari shrugged and stepped further in noticing that Ryoma seemed to be on his way out.
"Going somewhere?" Hari asked.
Ryoma blinked at her, "so are you."
"I am?" Hari asked confused. "Where?"
"Oishi-senpai asked us to meet him tonight," Ryoma said.
"He never asked me," Hari denied.
"He couldn't find you after practice," Ryoma looked at her. "Where did you go? Well, anyway, he asked me to tell you and bring you along."
Hari shrugged, "I see. I was just thinking."
"Thinking?" Ryoma asked. "About?"
Hari turned to leave again since they were apparently going out and sighed as she looked up at the darkening sky. Her mind went back to Ron and what to do before she shook her head and tried to push the thoughts away.
"Ron and…the past, I guess," Hari admitted. "I don't really know."
Ryoma glanced at her, "hm."
Hari loved the fact that Ryoma didn't push for her to tell him more. He just continued to walk beside her and offered silent comfort. It was soothing.
...
"What does Oishi-senpai want to talk about?" Ryoma asked when they were all gathered in a park waiting for Oishi to come.
"Who knows? Whatever it is…" Kikumaru said as he leaned back with his arms behind his head.
"What's this?" Inui asked turning toward Kikumaru. "Eiji doesn't know either?"
Hari looked curiously over at Kikumaru from where she was sitting beside Ryoma.
"Seems like no one knows," Hari commented. "Wonder what he wants."
"So everyone gathered without knowing anything…" Ryoma sighed.
Hari heard him first and looked to see Oishi coming running and soon she heard him calling out as he did. When he got closer she realised that he was yelling an apology. Typical.
"Oooooy! Sorry, sorry! I'm sorry for being late!" Oishi called as he stopped in front of them.
Hari heard Ryoma snort but didn't do anything but lightly elbow him in the side making him jump slightly and glare at her.
"Geez," Kikumaru complained. "You're late! And you called us all out, too."
"So, what do you want to talk about?" Fuji asked stepping forward.
Oishi smiled, "we are all going to go mountain climbing."
"Eh?"
Hari arched a brow as she looked at Oishi. Mountain climbing? Now? What did he plan now? There had to be a reason for why he wanted them to go climb a mountain in the middle of the night.
"We're going to watch the sunrise together," Oishi declared. "Everyone together! I'm sure it will be great."
Hari smiled slightly as she looked at Oishi who looked really into the idea and excited while none of the others seemed to really catch on and more or less started to question it and didn't seem to be that interested in going. Hari saw how Oishi looked more and more disappointed as the idea was seemingly dismissed.
Hari frowned slightly as she looked at the others and also her brother who looked disinterested and bored. She looked back at Oishi and knew he was trying his best to be a good Captain for them until Tezuka came back even if it wasn't official yet. She wondered if the others realised just how much pressure he was putting on himself.
"I think it's a good idea," Hari said interrupting the others as she stepped forward and smiled at Oishi. "I'll join you."
"Hari-chan?" Momoshiro blinked. "You want to?"
"Me too," Fuji said smiling. "I have never seen the sunrise from the mountaintop anyway. It will be interesting."
"Ah…me neither," Kawamura agreed.
Oishi had started to look more hopeful now and started to smile again.
"Ryo-chan," Hari looked at her little brother. "Let's go, ne?"
"Fine," he sighed but smiled slightly.
"I'll go to," Momoshiro said and soon the others were agreeing and Kikumaru jumped on Kawamura's back as he exclaimed loudly to "let's go!"
"The snow quantifies the soup," Kaido hissed from behind her and Hari shot him an amused look while he tried to look unaffected.
...
They had to take the train until they came to the mountain and spent the time playing cards and Fuji even managed to drag Tezuka into playing and Hari had fun as she laughed with her friends. She sat beside Fuji who looked to be the perfect poker player and no one seemed to be able to read his masks. Well…besides her and Tezuka.
No surprise – Tezuka won.
"Hehe, I just can't beat Tezuka," Fuji laughed.
Hari laughed and pushed his arm gently making him smile at her. Hari even caught Tezuka smiling slightly as he watched them. She wondered if he was thinking about his eventual trip to Germany.
She walked beside Fuji up the mountain talking quietly with him as they walked and listened to the others laugh and or complaining about how far it was. She was glad Oishi had brought drinks for them all because no one else was prepared for a trip up the mountain in the middle of the night.
"Oooh, it's almost scary, isn't it?" Momoshiro commented behind her.
"Scary?" Hari glanced over her shoulder and looked at Momoshiro.
"It's the middle of the night and the woods here are so dark," Momoshiro shuddered as he glanced at the woods.
Hari blinked and looked at the trees and while dark they seemed peaceful for her. Nothing like the lingering shadows and darkness that was found in the Forbidden Forrest at night.
"Hm, I don't think it's so bad," Hari said. "It's rather peaceful to walk here at night."
"Peaceful?" Kikumaru echoed.
"Mm," Hari nodded. "And look up at the stars… I love watching the stars at night."
She really did and she found peace doing so. No one else said anything for a while but she noticed several of them looking up at the sky as well.
"Everyone! We're almost at the peak!" Oishi finally called out.
They got to the peak and Hari gasped slightly as she took in the view. While dark she could see the distant lights from the city and the moon lit up enough and gave it all a mythical light. She heard Kikumaru worry about the clouds coming in and them not being able to see the sunrise.
Oishi reassured him and looked at the clock. "Another five minutes and it will be dawn."
...
Hari inhaled as the sun started to rise and lit up the city and the mountain gradually and took in all the pretty colours. She smiled as she watched and wondered how everything seemed different in this light. It was like everything got a new start or something (although that sounded cheesy).
She saw the smile on the others faces as well and both Kikumaru and Fuji had clasped Oishi on the shoulders as they watched the sunrise.
The joy and happiness spread as they all took it in and a feeling of proud accomplishment filled them all and Hari couldn't help but laugh with the others as Kikumaru jumped around and even dragged Oishi with him. She smiled as Fuji ruffled her hair and laughed as she swatted his hand away.
She caught Tezuka watching them all with a thoughtful expression and walked over to him.
"You alright?" She asked.
"I'm fine, Hari-chan," he said.
"Oishi did a good job," Hari commented as she watched Ryoma and Momoshiro play around.
"He did," Tezuka agreed.
"He'll do a good job until you're back," Hari glanced at Tezuka and saw him nod.
"He will," Tezuka said just as Hari moved away and she wondered if she really heard him or not.
"Smile!" Fuji said and Hari blinked as the flash went off and she frowned. "That will be an interesting photo."
"You could have warned me a little earlier," Hari grumbled. "You like taking pictures?"
"Yes," Fuji shrugged and took another one of her. "It's fun."
Hari nodded and watched as he walked around taking pictures of the others and finally managed to get them all to gather for a group photo. As Hari stood there surrounded by her friends she wondered if she could ask Fuji to give her a copy of the picture later.
Hari was tired when she had Ryoma finally made it home and it was when they stepped into the house and found both Rinko and Nanjiro ready to jump at them that they realised that they had forgotten to tell them that they would be out all night…
Whoops.
...
"Did you get in trouble?" Momoshiro asked when the practice was over.
"Yeah," Ryoma mumbled. "We forgot to tell Okaa-chan and Oyaji where we went…"
"They were mad," Hari grimaced. She hated to have made them worry and she knew they were in the wrong. They should have thought to tell them about where they were going… and asked for permission.
"Okaa-chan was mad as well," Momoshiro sighed before he smiled slightly. "But it was kind of worth it, you know."
Hari nodded, "yeah."
"Hn," Ryoma shrugged but Hari knew he agreed.
"Regulars!" Oishi called and they looked to him. "Tezuka has asked for you."
Hari was not as surprised as the others and had a feeling she knew what was coming. She followed the others but didn't join in as they were guessing what Tezuka might want. She glanced around at the rest of the regulars and wondered how they would take the news.
Tezuka was waiting for them (no surprised there) and they gathered around him in a half-circle waiting for him to speak and when he did a silence fell over them that no one seemed to be able or willing to break. It was like if someone broke the silence then it must be true.
Finally, Oishi spoke.
"What did you just say?"
"I won't be able to play in the upcoming matches," Tezuka repeated (though, that wasn't a surprise to anyone). "In order to get my left shoulder healed, I have to go to Germany."
Hari saw the shock in the others and Ryoma's expression stood out the most to her. His racket lowered and the ball he had been balancing on it rolled off it and to the ground but he didn't seem to notice. It was clear that no one was prepared for what Tezuka just said and Hari felt slightly guilty for not saying anything to prepare them. But it hadn't been her secret or decision to share.
...
"You alright?" Hari asked later that night standing in the doorway looking in on Ryoma who was lying on his back on his bed.
"Fine," he said.
"You know it's alright to be upset," Hari said. "Tezuka has helped you a lot."
"I'm fine," he repeated. "Really, Hari. I'm fine."
Hari sighed but didn't push so she nodded and smiled, "well, let me know if you need anything or want to talk."
He nodded.
She walked back into her room and picked up her phone. She felt exhausted. Everyone had been quiet and upset after Tezuka had told them that he was going away for a while. She had tried to offer comfort but it hadn't been easy. It proved to her just how large a part Tezuka was in their team.
She dialled the familiar number and waited for the only one she wanted to talk to now to pick up.
"Hari-chan," Seiichi's voice sounded and she smiled feeling some of the tension in her shoulders relax.
"Hey, Sei-chan," Hari said. "How are you?"
"I'm fine," he said and Hari almost groaned. If she heard one more answer like that today…"You?"
"Tired," Hari said leaning back on her bed and looked toward Ryoma's room with a worried frown. "And worried."
"Did something happen?" Seiichi asked quickly.
"Well, Tezuka is leaving," Hari admitted having asked Tezuka if he was okay with her telling Seiichi. She knew it would be well known soon, but she hadn't wanted to say something that she shouldn't. Tezuka had said it was fine so she told her boyfriend without feeling guilty for sharing it.
"He is?" Seiichi asked surprised. "Why?"
"His shoulder," Hari said. "He's going to Germany in order to get it healed. So he'll be gone for a little while."
"I see," Seiichi said. "I'm sorry. But at least he can do something to make his shoulder better."
Hari nodded, "yeah. I already knew that he was going, but it came as a shock for the rest of the team. Ryo-chan is upset but refused to admit it."
Seiichi hummed and she felt better just talking with him and a smile crossed her lips despite the worry she felt.
"Give him time to think," Seiichi advised. "I'm sure he'll be alright when he just gets time to think about it. The rest of your team as well."
...
Hari was aware that most of her friends were distracted the next day at school. Everyone was thinking (and talking) about Tezuka and how he was leaving. She was aware that the first years (besides Ryoma) was slightly panicked and seemed to think that the whole club would fall apart without Tezuka there. It would have been ridiculous if not for the fact that Hari found it rather cute. It proved that Tezuka was a good Captain.
Fuji was worried and a little distracted, and he admitted to Hari that he would miss Tezuka. He was one of his best friends and rivals so it would be strange to not see him every day. Hari nodded and bumped his shoulder with her own making him smile. He also pointed out that their matches from now on would become more unpredictable since normally everyone knew that Tezuka would play last and would save their own Ace for that spot. Now it would be different and they couldn't as easily predict where everyone on the other teams would play. It was something Inui also talked about. A lot.
"It's no use worrying about it," Hari said making them look at her as they gathered for their practice.
"What?" Kikumaru frowned at her. "How can you say that?"
Hari sighed, "it is for the best that Tezuka leaves to get his injury treated. Even if he was still here he wouldn't have been able to play and therefore the same problems that Shu-chan and Inui-senpai have pointed out would still be, well, our problems. We're a strong team. Tezuka-Captain has made sure of that, so we have to trust in his faith in us and do our best so that we don't disappoint him. We need to be good friends for him and support him as he gets his shoulder fixed so he can continue playing tennis as he loves."
"Hari-chan is right," Oishi finally said breaking the silence that followed. "We'll do our best so that when Tezuka comes back we're ready for the Nationals."
"Yes!" The others cheered.
Hari smiled slightly and laughed as Fuji ruffled her hair.
"Thanks," he said. "I needed to hear that."
Tezuka came to practice and surprised everyone when he requested a match against Ryoma...
...
Ron was frowning as he stared down at the letter he had just written. He swallowed as he looked at it not sure about what he was feeling. He couldn't remember feeling as conflicted about anything before. He knew what he wanted, but at the same time knew that he shouldn't want it. That he was…wrong. No. He wasn't wrong.
He thought back to how the last few months had been at school and how he and Hermione had been stared at and whispered about. The looks they got. Even Dean and Seamus… Only Neville seemed to smile at him without the underlying blame and curiosity.
If Hari came back then they would see that she had not been wrong and that she belonged there and that no one from the Ministry could tell her what to do. She would prove them wrong! Like she should! She couldn't just let them win like this!
So, he should send that letter. He should…
No.
You just confirmed Hari's fears!
Hermione's words rang in his ears and he could feel them turning red. He didn't just see Hari as the Girl-Who-Lived! Really! He didn't. But…
Don't you?
The small voice in his mind whispered treacherously and mocking. He shook his head to get the voice to shut up. He didn't. Hari was Hari and his best friend. The one he had first gotten to know at the train and had accepted him without seeing his brothers or Ginny. She never looked at him like she was expecting to see Bill or Charlie or any of the others… She never looked at him like she rather get to know Ginny, the first girl in their family in seven generations.
Was it so hard to believe that he just wanted her, wanted Hari, to come back to Hogwarts? Dumbledore might be a lot of things but he was the strongest wizard alive and if Voldemort really was getting back, then wouldn't Hari be safer close to Dumbledore? If Voldemort found Hari here…then who would protect her? Her muggle friends?
No one could protect her and he would lose his best friend. He looked at the letter again already in the envelope but no address on it yet. No name. Should he finish it and send it?
A part of him said yes, but…
Why couldn't he just send it? He should. It would be best for Hari's safety. But then he remembered his time spent with Hermione worrying about Hari and how they had been constantly sent for by Dumbledore and how they had been stopped from contacting her. Why would he keep them from her? Why should he want that?
Could they really trust Dumbledore?
His parents would say yes. They could trust Dumbledore with anything and that he would always do what was best for Hari. That he cared for her and that he was the one to save her. But Ron knew that it wasn't as black and white as that. He wondered if his mum really knew how Hari was treated with the Dursley's. How she was neglected and abused, he knew that now. Would they still say the same about Dumbledore if they knew that?
He was so confused. He jumped as the door opened and Hermione came in talking with Fred and George who laughed at something. They looked so carefree and not at all like they were upset that Hari chose them away and replaced them with someone else. Someone she had never even talked about before. How important could Echizen Ryoma be when she never even mentioned him?
"Hey, Ron," George grinned spotting him. "You missed out on a lot of fun!"
"Oh," Ron said. "Did you see Hari?"
"No, she's busy with tennis practice," Fred sighed. "But we'll see her later. She asked us to come and meet her at her home and have dinner with them."
"I see," Ron said coldly. "Have fun, then."
He could feel Fred and George looking at him but he didn't look back at them.
"You're not coming?" Hermione asked interrupting whatever the twins had been about to say.
"Why should I?" Ron asked.
"Why…You…" Hermione stared and Ron almost folded but looked away from her and noticed his brothers looking shocked. "You idiot! Fine! Be that way but don't expect Hari to come running after you when you're acting like a little child throwing a tantrum because he doesn't get what he wants!"
Ron blinked as she stomped out of the room and slammed the door to her bedroom after her. He frowned and felt a flash of guilt well up inside and uncertainty filled him. Maybe…
"What's going on?" Fred asked uncommonly serious.
"Yeah, what's happened?" George looked at him and Ron felt like shifting in his spot.
"Nothing," he muttered.
"You're a terrible liar, Ron," Fred frowned. "Did you and Hari have a fight?"
"Not that she cares," Ron snapped. "She would rather we leave so she could have her new precious little friends."
Both of the twins arched a brow and there was no trace of laughter on their face.
"I don't know what you're on about," George said, "but I suggest you work yourself out before you lose both your friends."
"What happened to you, Ron? You were so worried and happy to finally find Hari again," Fred was still frowning. "I would have thought you would want to spend time with Hari whenever you could. She missed you and Hermione, you know. So why are you pushing her away?"
Ron fisted his hand and he could feel his ears burning red. "She didn't miss me! She doesn't need me at all! But I won't lose her because she…because she's so stubborn! Why am I the only one who sees that she's not safe here?!"
No one said anything for a while and Ron silently cursed himself for almost slipping out and said what he had done (or was maybe about to do). He had still not decided yet.
"And Hari was safe at Hogwarts?" George challenged. "You weren't safe at Hogwarts, not Hermione either."
"Do you not think we saw the danger you, Hari and Hermione was in?" Fred asked quietly. "We might not have seen it all, nor have been able to do anything, but we saw enough. Like how Hari was unconscious for three days in your first year, how you were injured and brought to the hospital wing the same night, how Hermione was petrified (not that she was the only one). Ginny was taken and you and Hari risked your lives to save her…"
"What do you think we are?" George asked. "Blind? So, I don't blame Hari for wanting to be somewhere safe and where the adults have proven that they care for her."
"Mum and dad…"
"They care but they overlooked it when we told them about the bars on her window, Ron," Fred pointed out. "They shouldn't have done that. Why would we lie about that? Eh? Would we lie about how someone purposely locked someone, their niece, in? Even if it was to get out of trouble?"
Ron frowned.
"Think about it," George said.
Ron was at a loss. Never had Fred and George been so serious, gone so long without finishing each other sentences. He couldn't remember seeing it before at all.
"Or we…" Fred said some cheer in his voice again even if there was steel to it as well.
"…will be…" George added with the same type of voice.
"…forced to take action," they finished together and clasped Ron on the shoulder but the promise of pranks was lacing their every word.
...
Later Ron found himself outside the Echizen house and staring in through the window (like a creep) and saw Hari laughing with Fred and George and the man that Hari now called dad was pouting with green hair. Hari was leaning on Fred as she laughed and the happiness in her eyes had Ron's inside twist uncomfortably and painfully.
He wished he was in there with them. He missed her. He just wanted his best friend back. The one who would avoid doing homework much to Hermione's frustration before they sat the last night cramming to get it done. The one who laughed with him and pranked with him, even getting into a prank war with George and Fred.
Watching as the man Hari called Otou-chan get up and pout at Hari before she waved a hand and turned his hair pink instead of green. Even from the outside, Ron could hear the laughter. He saw the fond look from the older man even if he tried to look angry and it wasn't lost on Ron how much he cared for Hari. To see Hari be so…so free and happy had Ron wondering if Fred and George maybe were right. Maybe their parents really had failed Hari… Hari did deserve to be happy and to have this in her life…
Suddenly Hari looked away from the twins and out of the window and their eyes locked. Ron swallowed as he wondered what to do or if Hari would do anything. He was not sure how long they stood there before she looked away and continued to talk with Fred and then Ryoga came and joined them playfully high-fiving Hari and casting an amused look at his father.
Ron felt his heart sink. She hadn't come out and had gone back to pretending that he wasn't even there. The disappointment filled him and he felt the sudden loss. It was like she was saying that she didn't care anymore…
"Ron?"
His head snapped up and he looked to the side to see Hari standing there looking at him with a blank mask.
"…" He opened his mouth but nothing came out.
"What are you doing here?" Hari asked her brows furrowed slightly as she looked at him.
"I…Well…" He fumbled for words. Why didn't he find the right words? But, why was he there?
"You should come in if you are here, you know," Hari said.
He blinked, "you would want me to?"
She looked at him for a moment and he saw the hesitation in her eyes.
"You're my friend," Hari said. Like that answered that.
"But…you…"
"Look," she interrupted impatiently. "I told you that it wasn't about choosing anyone over you and Hermione. You and Hermione are my best friends, and I never would have gotten through my years at Hogwarts without you. I just… I can't be me there, Ron. Don't you see that? Or do you really just see the Girl-Who-Lived? Is that really the reason why you sat in my compartment that first day on the Hogwarts Express?"
Hurt shone in her eyes and he immediately shook his head. How could she believe that? Well, if he was honest the reason he had sat in that compartment was because he had heard Fred and George talk about meeting Hari Potter. He had been curious, but he had soon forgotten that the shy girl he had met was Hari Potter. She had been kind and curious and he had liked her. They became friends and Ron hadn't really thought over the fact that she was the Girl-Who-Lived for the rest of the journey to Hogwarts as they shared their nervousness and excitement about starting Hogwarts.
"No!" Ron denied. "I will admit that I sought you out on the train that day because Fred and George said they had met you and I was curious. But, I honestly liked you for you and when we became friends it was because I liked how you talked to me and didn't treat me like I was my brothers."
Hari looked at him for a moment and nodded.
"Good," she said, "but…"
"I shouldn't have said what I said that day," Ron said looking down and shifted on his feet before he looked up again and saw her watching him. "I didn't mean that you were only the Girl-Who-Lived, Hari. I just meant…Oh, I don't know how to say it without it sounding wrong, but… I just meant that even if you are here doesn't mean that You-Know-Who or anyone else would stop looking for you because to them you are still the Girl-Who-Lived."
He was not making sense of the explanation and he frowned at himself.
"I see," she said. "Well, even if I am that to them I don't want to be that to you."
"You're not," Ron said taking a step forward. "I'm so sorry, Hari. I…"
He thought about the letter that was unsent and in his bag back at the apartment. He thought about wanting her safe, but then the scene he had just witnessed crossed his mind and the smiling face Hari had shown and how happy she looked. He would be taking that away from her if he sent that letter and he realised that if he did then he would lose her. This time forever. Because even if she did come back she would forever blame him for being the one to bring her back.
"I only want you safe," he found himself saying. "I don't know how to keep you safe if you're here and I'm at Hogwarts. How can I protect you from there? I can't, and I am afraid of losing you…"
"Ron…" She tried to interrupt him but he shook his head and looked at her pleadingly.
"And I will admit that I am a little jealous," Ron said ashamed. "You look so happy here, Hari. Not that it isn't a good thing, because it is! But…I just saw you being happy because of your new family and new friends and…and I couldn't help but feel like we…that I…didn't matter to you anymore. It was like you had replaced us."
He felt remarkably lighter having admitted that but at the same time ashamed because what kind of friend was he? Was he really that petty that he couldn't accept her having other friends? Hermione was right… he was like a child throwing a tantrum.
"Silly boy," Hari said and suddenly she was hugging him. "You are my best friend, Ron. Why didn't you just talk to me? I would have listened…"
"I didn't want to ruin it," Ron muttered into her shoulder.
She huffed and tightened the hug.
"Silly boy," she said again and he laughed.
...
He came inside and tried not to notice the pleased look on Hermione's face as she looked at them.
"Hey, Ron-kun," Ryoma said nodding at him.
"Ryoma-kun," Ron said. "How was your day?"
"Good," Ryoma said taking a sip of the Ponta. "Though…I lost a match."
He grumbled the last part and Hari grabbed his cap from him laughing as he tried to snatch it back from her.
"You lost against Tezuka," she said. "No need to be so gloomy."
"I'm not gloomy!" Ryoma snapped jumping to get the cap but Hari danced out of the way. "Give it back, Hari!"
"Take it if you can," Hari laughed and ran out of his reach and much to Ron's surprised hid behind him and Ryoma stopped in front of him before trying to reach Hari who moved to one side as Ryoma tried to get past to his right. "Besides, Tezuka was testing you and wanted you to learn something…"
"He always wants me to learn something," Ryoma said before darting to the other side and Ron felt Hari grab his shoulders as she leaned away and tried to shift Ron so he was between them.
"Oi!" Ron protested.
He was ignored.
"Hari!" Ryoma whined.
"Ryo-chan," Hari teased back.
Ron heard the twins laughing and was sure he heard Hermione giggling as well.
"Children!" Rinko suddenly snapped and both Hari and Ryoma paused. "What are you doing with poor Ron-kun?!"
Hari and Ryoma glanced at each other before looking back at Rinko.
"Sorry, Okaa-chan," they said before Hari glanced at Ron who looked amused.
"Sorry, Ron," she rubbed the back of her head. "Got a little carried away."
"It's fine," he laughed.
"This is not how you want to prove that you're sorry for last night!" Rinko scolded them. "I only let you have visitors over because they are here for a limited time, Hari-chan. You're still grounded, remember?"
Hari sighed and nodded, "yes, Okaa-chan."
Rinko gave both her and Ryoma a look before going back to the kitchen leaving them alone again in the room. Hari tossed the cap over to Ryoma again who immediately put it back on.
"Grounded?" Ron asked breaking the silence.
Hari sighed as she fell back on the sofa and glanced at him. "Well…We might have forgotten to ask or tell them that we were going to go mountain climbing in the middle of the night in order to see the sunrise with the rest of our team…"
"Might have?" Hermione snorted.
"Okay, we forgot!" Hari grumbled. "It wasn't like we expected it, though! Oishi-senpai asked to meet and we had no idea what he had planned!"
Ryoma nodded in agreement.
"You didn't tell anyone?" Hermione asked.
"It kind of got lost in the excitement," Hari pouted. "They were so angry when we got home…"
"I think we're grounded for forever," Ryoma nodded but shared a look with Hari that clearly said that they didn't really regret it and that they were in it together. Ron felt the old flaring of jealousy again but pushed it back and laughed with the others.
"Good thing they didn't take your phone away, eh, Hari-chan?" Ryoga asked reminding Ron that he had been there too.
"Oh?" Fred grinned now.
"Why is that?" George asked.
"Because then she couldn't call her boyfriend every night," Ryoga teased making the twins laugh.
"Oh, shut up, Ryoga-sensei," Hari snapped making the older boy scowl at her.
Ron couldn't help laughing with the others and think that maybe he wouldn't lose Hari at all. Maybe he could still remain a part of her life. He didn't think about the letter again as he enjoyed the evening with Hari and the others. For the first time simply relaxing and having fun.
...
...
AN: What do you think? XD
This chapter turned out much longer than I planned. ;) I feel like a lot happened as well, so I don't really know what of if I should address something here, but I guess I would like to address the part with Ron. I do not plan to have bashing in this story. I try to keep it as realistic as I can and try to think about how the characters would respond and act. While Ron is jealous and often lets it take control over him he still does genuinely care for Hari. He does want to protect her and wants her happy, even if he is jealous of the new people in her life. So that's why I had him change his mind about the letter at the last minute. I got the idea from some of the reviews I got, so thank you for the idea. :) If his letter will become a problem later...well, we'll have to wait and see... And I know some wishes for Hari not to forgive him. I think that Hari would forgive him when he offers an apology. Harry in canon is forgiving when the apology is genuine as shown several times over the series, e.g: in Chamber of Secrets when he forgives the Hufflepuffs for believing that he was the Heir. And later in Goblet of Fire forgives Ron for turning away from him. (Though, there he didn't even let Ron apologize before he forgave him). But that's just my thoughts about it and why I decided that Hari would forgive him now. But I wanted to have him apologize and that it was him that came to her and not Hari that found him. He was the one who had to take the steps in order to be forgiven.
End of a (way too) long explanation. XD
Thank you all for reading and supporting the story! Hope you enjoyed the chapter! :)
Japanese words used:
Okaa-chan - mum
Otou-chan - dad
Senpai - upperclassman
Sensei - teacher, coach