Chapter 11

Monday, January 6, 1992

It was after classes had ended that Hermione Granger approached the two reincarnates. "Do you have a minute? There's something I want to talk to you about." she said, hugging her books to her chest nervously.

Akira was a little surprised. He had figured she would've approached them earlier if she was even going to. He had mourned their inability to get through to her, but it seems she just needed more time to process. She might've even spoken to her parents about it to get a second opinion.

Akechi was the one who motioned her to follow as he led the way to an abandoned classroom off the beaten path. It would do for now, but they had to find somewhere better if this was going to be a regular thing. If they really were going to recruit. Akira was still torn about that, but Akechi was right about the necessity. They needed at least a small group to work with just in case it did come to a war.

"So," Akechi began, "what's on your mind?"

Granger looked uncomfortable and nervous, but her eyes shown with a determination that explained her sorting into Gryffindor very well, "I did a lot of research about what you were saying, the hard part was finding the international information. Apparently, the ministry is doing its best to keep it quiet. I also wanted to talk to my parents about it all and to say they agreed with you is an understatement. They almost pulled me from Hogwarts to enroll me in one of the other schools, but I talked them out of it because," she took a deep breath, "because this is my home. I don't want to move abroad, for all that I like the vacations we've taken. It wouldn't do anything for the others who can't or whose families won't. My parents said it's not my responsibility—and maybe they're right—but I want to do something about it, and it sounded like you two had a plan."

"Less a plan and more of a vague outline." Akira corrected, "For it to make sense though, we need to bring you up to speed on a few things."

So, they told her their suspicions of Voldemort's survival, Akechi even admitting that the man is his biological father whom he hates. They told her about what Dumbledore had done to Akira and how even now he watches him disturbingly closely. They admitted that they see war on the horizon and that it is their priority over reform. The only thing they don't tell her is their status as reincarnates. They needed to be somewhere more secure if that was going to be mentioned, preferably with a secrecy contract or oath in place.

"That's..." Hermione said, eyes wide and horror visible on her features.

"A lot." Akira finishes with a severe understatement, causing Akechi to roll his eyes.

"Due to all this, we'll be training—not just to the international standards either. Or more accurately, I'll be teaching Harry and he will be teaching you and whoever else we can convince."

She gave him a puzzled look, "Why not just teach us together?"

Akechi gave her a malicious smirk, "My teaching methods are designed to push you to the very edge of both sanity and life. No one else could survive it. He on the other hand is a gentler teacher."

Granger shuddered at that, and Akira knew she could tell he wasn't exaggerating from the concerned look she gave him. There wasn't much he could say so he just gave her a reassuring smile, hoping she'd take it as him saying he'd be fine. He would be, but that didn't mean he wouldn't be pushed to the brink. Akechi had the advantage on him after all, and he would milk it as long as he could. Unfortunately, she didn't look reassured.

"In the meantime," he decided to just change the subject, "Gabriel and I will see about finding a secure place to meet. We can't afford to be found out."

That seemed to at least take her mind off what Akechi was going to do to him, because she nodded her understanding and said, "I'll keep an ear out for people looking to change things similarly to you, maybe see if I can talk any of the other muggle-borns around. I think Ravenclaws might be receptive too."

"Don't get caught." Akechi warned, "If Dumbledore notices us collecting supporters, he'll try to name one or both of us rising Dark Lords. That would make things much harder than they need to be."

She couldn't argue with that.

Thursday, January 9, 1992

The pair of reincarnates had just entered the common room after dinner when Akechi's cousin approached them, slowly and as if he was preparing himself for the detective having a negative reaction. Akira gave Akechi a meaningful look and started heading for their room, knowing he would follow this time after motioning his cousin to as well, sandwiching him between them. The now trio went to the reincarnates' room, knowing that this confrontation would be better had in private. It was clear, though, that Nott wasn't sure how to start.

"Just ask." Akechi said lazily, "Even if I were to get offended, Harry wouldn't let me do anything."

"That's what's troubling me." Nott admitted quietly, "You act so different with him and even listen to him. I don't understand it. You've always been volatile despite your mask, but you seem better able to focus that volatility when he's around, letting him direct it in a way. Even when he pushes your buttons, you let him get away with it for the most part. When you do turn your ire on him, he takes it in stride and I've gotten the impression he can match you move for move, power for power. I didn't think that was possible. It was instantaneous, the way you seem to know each other better than could be possible for the short time you've been acquainted. What am I missing, and just how dangerous is Potter?"

Akira couldn't say he was surprised the boy had noticed all that, but he was surprised it had taken him so long to confront them. More than that, he wondered what Akechi would say in response. He was the one who had to respond after all, Nott was his cousin and Akechi did have a slight soft spot for the boy even if he didn't want to admit it, just like with Sumire before. That's why he shrugged when the other shot him a questioning look. It was his choice.

The detective sighed, "It's actually a very long story. The short version is that this is our second life, and we knew each other very well in our last one. Harry is something of a leader and while I was absolutely a "lone wolf" as the saying goes, I did team up with him and his merry band of outcasts on a couple of occasions. He's my rival and my equal, but the rest of his group didn't trust me at all and even hated me, though not without reason. Our dynamic is unique I can admit and yes, he is just as dangerous as I am if he has reason to be."

The thief had to admit to some mild surprise that Akechi had acknowledged that he treated him differently, but it would be a lie to say it didn't please him. Maybe Akechi wasn't as deep in denial as he thought? He doubted it, but it was nice to have even a little justified hope.

Unfortunately, Nott's reaction was less favorable. At first, he was simply visibly gob smacked, but it didn't take long for horror to be added when he registered that Akira was just as dangerous as the detective. He understood why, given Akechi wasn't always the safest person to be near, especially when something angered him.

"I'm not that easy to provoke, Nott, don't worry. The only one who came close was Malfoy with his blatant bullying. The only things that I don't tolerate at all are corruption or abuse of power, and even then, it's only adults I'd really attack with lethal intent. I'm rather protective of minors and outcasts. The worst I'll do to the bullies is humiliate them."

That seemed to calm him surprisingly quickly. Apparently, Nott was willing to trust him at his word. The Slytherins must believe he wouldn't lie, which was true to a point, but he was also very good at knowing what a person wanted to hear. He hadn't used it maliciously yet, but that didn't mean he couldn't if he decided to. Or maybe it was because he had a habit of redirecting Akechi when he started to lose his patience with them and thus protecting them a bit.

Nott then whispered, "You're planning something, aren't you?"

He looked concerned and Akira realized abruptly that for all that he was wary of his cousin he did care for him. He had to, if he was willing to risk his father's wrath to supply him with books. How many times did he have to come up with some excuse or another for wanting texts way above his level? He wouldn't have done that if he was truly scared of him. He feared his temper, but had it ever been turned on him? Somehow, he doubted it.

"Nothing's been put in motion, probably won't for at least a while." The thief said easily. Akechi shot him a look from the corner of his eye but nodded his agreement. Apparently, he wasn't aware that Nott liked him, not surprising since he seemed to believe no one could if they had an inkling of what he was really like.

"Doesn't mean you're not planning." Nott counters quickly.

"We will be working against Dumbledore, Voldemort, and even the ministry, though we want to do the last politically, maybe Dumbledore as well." Akechi told him simply.

Nott was quiet for a moment before he said, "I want to help."

Akechi twitched – it was the only sign of his surprise – but he did nod to Akira who was quick to fill the boy in as much as they had Hermione. Much like her, he offered to try and help recruit in the circles he had the most access to.