Chapter 12

Saturday – January 25, 1992

It had taken four days to find a place to train and meet up, longer than Akira had hoped, but in the end after finding the house elves in the kitchen they had been told of the Room of Requirement. To say it fit their needs perfectly was an understatement because it would become whatever they needed in that moment. Even if they were already inside, the one who summoned the Room had the ability to change it without leaving. Neither he nor Akechi were entirely sure how it worked, but in this case that wasn't important as they could make sure no one else could enter while they were using it. The elves had also told them that it was technically outside the wards as far as the headmaster being able to detect what happened inside, but it was still protected from outside interference by those same wards.

That was all the confirmation Akechi had needed to start putting Akira through his paces to get him caught up, especially magically. Akira had never been so thankful for how quickly he learned in his life. He had understood Akechi would be brutal, as they had told Hermione, but he seemed to operate on a do or die teaching method. He was creative enough that even when he had the slight delay in learning something, he managed to buy enough time, but it definitely drove home that the other boy was not allowed to teach anyone else under any circumstances. They simply wouldn't survive it.

They had also used the room to test the abilities they had honed in their last life as they needed to see how their younger bodies would affect their capabilities, after all they weren't as strong, and their reach was shorter. They used elaborate obstacle courses to test and refine their parkour and sparred against each other regularly to get used to fighting in their smaller bodies. They may have taken on and beaten a troll, but that was hardly a true test of what they could do. They were lucky in that it seemed they had automatically adjusted, perhaps because they had been in these bodies long enough to know their limits, but on rare occasions they did come close to overreaching. They always caught it before it could be detrimental and those instances were diminishing fast, but it was something they had to fix quickly.

Today was their first meeting with Hermione and Theo along with the handful of people they had managed to recruit, and Akira and Akechi were debating the merits of telling them about their status as reincarnations. The biggest problem was they had to make sure no one else could get the information from them. They had gotten secrecy contracts for them to sign, but they didn't cover Legilimency. It was the one factor they couldn't do anything about as the only defense was Occlumency, an art they were still working on themselves. They would be teaching the others, but the question was whether they should tell them now or only after they were proficient.

"It doesn't matter if they can keep people out if even we can't. If someone is after information on us, we will be the first targets." Akira argued logically.

Akechi though, wasn't convinced. "And if they can't get us alone to do so? Anyone around us will be seen as the simpler solution because they won't have our safety net."

"Our association with the Notts isn't enough of a safety net to stop Dumbledore or anyone working on his orders, you know that. Besides, they don't have to get us alone to at least try if they are decent at multi-tasking, something anyone proficient in the mind arts will be. If we keep this from them only to spring it later, it will cause more problems than it's worth. Trust is a very important component in teamwork, you know that. Keeping something this big from them will damage any trust we build when it finally comes out, maybe enough to have them leave. We can't afford that."

Akechi grimaced, "You would know that better than I would." He admitted reluctantly, "Fine, we'll tell them, but if this backfires it's on your head." Akira nodded his agreement just as the rest of the group entered the room they had given them directions to.

The first to come in was Theo who was followed by Zabini and two Ravenclaws named Anthony Goldstein and Michael Corner. Hermione joined them a moment later followed by her housemate Neville Longbottom and two Hufflepuff girls – Susan Bones and Hannah Abbott. Counting them, that brought the total to ten people – four Slytherins and two from each of the other houses, a decent mix in Akira's opinion. Interestingly, it was also the same number as the Phantom Thieves had been if he counted Akechi and he didn't see a reason not to.

Once they were all seated at the round table he had decided to use so it was easier for all of them to be seen when they spoke, he took a closer look at all of them. Hermione's expression spoke of pure determination. Theo was slightly uncertain, but it was clear he wasn't going back down if only because he wanted to support his cousin. Longbottom was nervous and it was clear he had no idea how he could be helpful; his lack of self-confidence was so obvious it was painful. Abbott was also nervous, but that looked more to do with the fact that a couple of Slytherins were the ones in charge; she had no idea they would listen to any input she was willing to give, and the reputation of their house was against them. Bones on the other hand looked quite grim and Akira realized she had a better idea of the implications of this meeting than he expected. Goldstein and Corner were whispering together softly while sneaking glances at him and Akechi every so often, their expressions only showed curiosity though. Blaise on the other hand looked completely laid back, his face only showing nonchalance, but the tension in his body gave away his caution.

"Now that we're all here," Akechi began, "I suppose we should get started. I will likely be doing most of the talking unless Harry has something important to add, but make no mistake, he is the leader not me. He just doesn't talk much normally. If I start crossing any lines or my temper starts to get the best of me, he will step in. The more we get to know you, the more he will speak, he's also more prone to talking in a one-on-one situation or if I'm the only other person there. It's just one of his quirks and is not meant to offend any of you."

When no one spoke up he continued, "First things first, this isn't just a study group to reach international standards. We will eventually be moving against both Dumbledore and the Ministry due to both of their policies and agendas. I know we haven't told you ours yet, but I want to make you aware that we will eventually be moving on the political front if all goes to plan. We do not identify with either the Dark or the Light in politics, not completely."

"Then what do you believe?" Bones asked softly.

"Equality is a big part of it." Akira said. All eyes turned to him as they realized this must be important and that he was the one setting the goals. "Not just across blood statuses, but also when it comes to sentient creatures. We have a few different ideas about provisions to make that possible without endangering witches and wizards, but if you want those details, we'll have to cover them separately. We also want the laws to be less about banning entire branches of magic and more so judging the use of the magic itself. Nothing, even in magic, is inherently good or evil. It's as simple to kill someone with a levitation charm as it is with a killing curse, it just takes a bit more creativity. It's the intent that should be judged not the magic used. There are exceptions I'm sure, but that will be discussed here to make sure we are all on the same page. Obviously, the education system needs to be revamped as well. The biggest problem with all of this is the amount of corruption and nepotism going on in the government, especially in the higher-ranking positions. It's rare that the person put in a position is actually the best for it."

Akechi nodded his agreement, "This is all things we can't really do much about for a few years though. While we have a few vague plans for this and are more than willing to listen to your opinions and modify them if needed, we have more immediate concerns." All of them exchanged confused looks before refocusing on him again. "We have reason to believe Voldemort isn't dead."

The only word for what followed was pandemonium. All of them immediately began to deny it except Bones. After a few moments of this she seemed to reach the end of her rope and yelled, "Enough!" everyone looked at her in shock, "We need to at least hear them out before we say they're wrong."

Abbott looked at her friend in confusion before realization took over, "What do you know the rest of us don't?"

She grimaced, but answered honestly, "Auntie confided in me just before Hogwarts was due to start that his body was never found. Not at the Potters' or anywhere else. Without a body we can't really be certain he ever died; all we know is he was gone."

Akira and Akechi both nodded before the latter explained, "I know for a fact he hasn't really died. It's something of a Nott family secret—"

Zabini cut him off, "The Notts? How?"

"My mother is a half-blood descendent of the Nott family. Her mother was a Nott while her father was a muggle-born." He told them easily, "About a year after she graduated, she went to a party her older cousin was hosting and ended up sleeping with my father. She didn't know it at the time, but that man was Voldemort. I've never personally met him, she kept me hidden from the moment she found out she was pregnant, but that doesn't change the fact I'm his only heir." He revealed the Slytherin heir ring on his finger, "When I took the blood test over the winter holidays to prove my claim, he was still listed as lord under his birth name, Tom Riddle." A heavy silence fell for a few seconds before he stated, "It gets worse."

"H-How can it p-possibly get worse?" Longbottom asked worriedly.

"Harry's scar hurts around Quirrell, we believe it's because he's in league with him, but we can't say for certain. There are other things that point to this as well."

Corner tilted his head, "Oh?" he asked.

Akechi sighed, "It has to do with the third-floor corridor that Dumbledore warned us about. Harry was present when the object that we believe is being protected there was retrieved by Hagrid."

"Hagrid?" Goldstein questioned abruptly, "That man can't keep a secret if his life depends on it."

"I know, and that's part of the problem. Also, it was retrieved from the vault that was broken into at Gringotts. Proof that someone dangerous is after it. We don't know for certain what it is, only that it's about the size of a fist and it was wrapped in brown packing paper tied with twine. Harry plans to retrieve it before anyone else can but we don't know what obstacles are guarding it."

"The first one's a Cerberus, but it's over a trap door, so I don't know what else there is yet." Akira spoke up blandly.

Akechi's head turned to him slowly, eyes blazing and hands closing into fists spasmodically, "I distinctly recall," he said through clenched teeth, "telling you not to go there yet because you needed to be in better health." Akira shrugged and turned his head away, though kept watching him from the corner of his eye while he fought the urge to give a Cheshire grin as the other finally lost his composure and with it the detective prince mask. "I swear to God Akira, the second I get my hands on a pistol, I'm going to shoot you between the eyes!"

"Think it'll stick this time, Akechi?" he asked in amusement.

"You won't have the ability to do a bait and switch this time." He warned menacingly.

Akira just laughed brightly while Hermione and, surprisingly, Bones looked at them in horror.

Zabini on the other hand seemed to latch onto a different part of what was said due to being used to Akechi threatening to kill Akira, "Akira? Akechi?"

"Our names in another life." Akira said simply, but his eyes were still sparkling as he awaited the coming chaos.

"Reincarnation..." Corner said in fascination, "It's been speculated to be possible but there has never been a confirmed case."

"Correct." Akechi admitted, shooting a last dirty glare at the thief beside him, "This wasn't how we planned to tell you, but Akira and I both remember a previous life, one we knew each other during. Neither of us were all that old when we died, however, and we are certain it took place in a different world. There was no magic like this in it."

"That explains so much..." Theo muttered in exasperation.

Akira supposed it did, but not as much as he probably thought. Akechi had acted differently with him from the start even then after all.

It was Zabini who decided to be practical about the revelation by asking, "Is there anything we should know about from that life?"

"Before that, we need you to sign these." Akira passed out the magically enforced secrecy contracts that they all looked over and signed.

That done, Akechi admitted, "I was a detective for my day job, but I was also an assassin under the purview of a corrupt politician. It was, admittedly, an ill-conceived revenge plan on the same politician that led to that particular development."

Zabini nodded his acceptance, but everyone else didn't seem to know how to respond. Eventually Abbott gathered her courage and asked, "How many...?"

She may not have been able to finish the sentence but they both knew what she was asking, so Akechi answered, "I honestly don't know. It was something I did for three years so I didn't exactly have the ability to keep track. I kept a record of each person back then to use against him, but I never counted them up. It hadn't mattered at the time and my goal came first, before any fickle version of morality or even my own emotions."

"And you?" Longbottom asked with a surprisingly steady voice, looking at Akira solemnly.

"I was a Phantom Thief, but my targets were those that abused their power and committed crimes themselves. It was always about exposing them and making them face justice. It wasn't legal, but most of them couldn't be reached via legal avenues in the first place. My team and I took requests from the public, but even then, we had to unanimously agree on a target to go after them. It was to keep us from going too far and was supposed to stop us from merely going along with the crowd, but that didn't work quite as planned. The person deserved to be targeted, make no mistake about that, but we were manipulated to go after him then so we could be framed for his murder."

"Should I apologize?" Akechi drawled blandly.

Akira scoffed, "You wouldn't mean it."

"You framed him?" Goldstein asked in surprise.

Akechi nodded, "All but one of their high-profile targets were in that politician's pocket so the Thieves were causing him quite a bit of trouble. The problem was they also had quite a bit of public support and we didn't know their identities for certain yet. The easiest way to deal with them was to turn the public against them and at the same time I was able to learn who they were. I had actually suspected Akira since we met but I didn't know for certain if he was one of them. It turned out he was their leader. The next part of the plan had me leading them into a trap where Akira was arrested. I was supposed to kill him while he was in custody, but he managed to trick me into thinking I had done so while he escaped."

"You actually would've killed him?" Theo asked in shock.

Akira was the one who answered him, "One mistake and I would've been dead." He said without hesitation, "He wouldn't have so much as hesitated, and I knew that going in. He gave me a couple clues here and there during the time we knew each other that he was the assassin we knew about but didn't know the identity of. Clues I kept to myself until I had no other choice. He even in his own way tried to warn me about the plan, but I couldn't tip my hand too soon, so we just made a counter plan. I was also aware that his goal absolutely came before our friendship and had accepted that as part of who he was. I was never angry or even upset about what happened. The others saw him as a traitor, but I was never able to feel that way about it because I understood him, just as he understood me. You have to understand that Akechi and I are two sides of the same coin, as similar as we are different. We're fierce rivals, but the best allies. To say our relationship is complicated is an understatement, but we wouldn't have it any other way. Besides, he's better adjusted now...somewhat."

"Thank you for that vote of confidence, Joker." Akechi said drily.

The group of eight looked at each other in a strange mix of acceptance and confusion. Finally, Hermione asked, "Joker?"

Akira gave her a gentle smile, "Akira Kurusu – Codename: Joker."

Akechi was more careless, "Goro Akechi – Codename: Crow. Speaking of, if you really are going to be part of this, we should come up with codenames for you as well."

Theo was the one to give voice to the confusion this time, "Why?"

"Ah, right, back to the matter at hand." Akechi refocused, "Quirrell and Voldemort are only one part of the problem. I'm not certain if you have noticed, but Dumbledore is keeping a very close watch on Akira and hates me by virtue of who my father is. Also..." he trailed off and looked at Akira who nodded his agreement, "He left Akira in the hands of abusive relatives and then did everything he could to prevent him from being removed from their care including memory charms. We don't know what he's after, but clearly it has something to do with Akira and it likely won't end well for him. This means we are surrounded by enemies on all sides."

"I think he intends me to face Quirrell in the third-floor corridor, but likely not until the end of the year, hopefully after exams. I want to get to the object before that and luckily, I only have to wait a couple more days before I'm well enough by his standards to do so." Akira told them, "That will thwart Quirrell all the same, but won't give Dumbledore the satisfaction of having succeeded in manipulating me. That, and I really want to get it anyway just to prove I can and because I want to know what it is. I'm a thief, it's what I do. Depending on what it is though, I might return it to its rightful owner which I'm certain isn't Dumbledore."

"All that means you need codenames, both for any written correspondence concerning this and for when we're working on a mission. We'll need disguises as well, but we don't have a supplier for that yet." Akechi explained, "Also, like we told Hermione, Akira will be training each of you physically and magically. You will each need to pick a close-range weapon you want to learn to use, and you can decide if you want a gun of some sort as well though that won't happen until fourth year at the earliest. He uses a dagger and I a sword for close-range and we both also use pistols, but he knows how to wield a variety of weapons and guns well enough to teach you. The close-range weapons do not have to be inherently lethal, and it can be as simple as a pair of brass knuckles, but we want you to have something just in case."

Akira briefly mourned the loss of cellphones that came with both the time and the magical world, but after Futaba he was never going to be so careless on an easily accessible chat app again. Too easy to hack or get a subpoena for the records. Still, they would have to come up with a quicker way to contact everyone that wouldn't be intercepted or overheard if it was audible. They had time though, and it would be easy enough to gather everyone quickly while they were in school.

In the meantime, he watched as the eight they had gathered and who still wanted to work with them debated amongst themselves what codenames would be suited to them and what weapons they might have a knack with. He caught them all vetoing guns after Hermione explained what they were to the others, which was probably wise considering there were very strict registration laws in the UK and bans on certain types of guns on top of it. He knew Akechi still intended to get them their pistols, but even for them they would be a last resort or used if they needed to end something quickly. In the end they decided to do some research before selecting their weapons.

It was watching their interactions that allowed him to come up with proper code names for them and so he got their attention and after receiving permission to call them all by their first names, he listed them out. Hermione – Seshat, Theo – Snake, Neville – Knight, Blaise – Spider, Susan – Themis, Hannah – Flower, Michael – Apostle, and Anthony – Bishop.

While most of them seemed satisfied with their codenames, Neville was confused and asked why Akira picked it. The answer visibly stunned him. "You may lack self-confidence now, but you still decided to come here when Hermione asked you to and even decided to stay when you learned the truth about us. You did all of this because you want to make a difference, you want to help others if and where you can. You are as brave as your house advertises, it's just a quiet bravery that comes from knowing when to speak up and when to let things go. Knights weren't only fighters in the old days, they were peacekeepers and even diplomats. Many gained titles of nobility as much from their actions in peace as for how they handled themselves on the battlefield. You have the potential to be like those knights."

Neville was a little pink in the face at that declaration, but Akira could see determination rise in his eyes and gave him a smile. He was always one to help those around him reach their full potential if he could and this would be no exception.

After that they set up a schedule for their training. They would work on parkour and magic on Mondays and Thursdays while Tuesdays and Fridays would be weapons and magic training. They had Wednesdays off due to Astronomy and the weekends could be used to work on whatever skill they were struggling with the most or as more free days depending on how they did over the week. Magic training was so frequent because Akira and Akechi would eventually be learning it as Akira taught. Even if that didn't happen, it was the one they needed the most practice in themselves. Things would also get more fluid as they improved.