The towering spires of Hogwarts loomed above, casting long shadows across the castle stairs as the new students climbed toward the Great Hall. The evening air was cool, but the anticipation among the first-years was almost palpable. Mana, Reiko, and Kuri Hikawa walked together, though their moods couldn't have been more different.
Mana strutted confidently at the front, her head held high and a satisfied smirk playing on her lips. Reiko lingered closer to Kuri, her nervous energy making her fingers fidget with the hem of her robe. Kuri trailed slightly behind, uncertain what to make of the stares and whispers following them.
"Look, it's them," someone whispered loudly.
"The Active Power Witches," another murmured.
Some students backed away, their faces wary, while others watched with curiosity, a few even nodding in what seemed like respect.
Harry Potter and Ron Weasley, walking a short distance behind, noticed the commotion and quickened their pace to catch up.
"Don't worry about what they think," Harry said, his voice steady as he fell into step beside Kuri. "You've already got friends."
"Y-Yeah," Reiko added with a small smile, though her voice wavered.
Before Kuri could respond, Draco Malfoy appeared, flanked by his usual cronies. His pale eyes gleamed with interest as he stopped in front of them. "Well, well," he drawled. "So, you're the Omamori. The legendary Active Power Witches. And yet… Harry Potter is friends with you?"
Kuri's stomach tightened, but before she could respond, Mana stepped forward with a polished smile. "It's alright, Draco," she said smoothly. "Harry is friends with my sisters. I don't think he's really… highbrow like us."
Draco chuckled, the sound cold and sharp. "I did hear he was raised by Muggles."
"Spewing venom already, Mana?" Kuri snapped, surprising even herself. Her voice shook, but she pushed through it. "You're only talking like that because you're afraid of Harry, and we all know it."
Mana arched a perfect brow, her expression hardening. "Afraid? Of him? Please. Shouldn't you be afraid, little monster?"
The insult hit Kuri like a slap, and she froze, her throat tightening as her eyes burned with unshed tears.
Harry stepped between them before Mana could say more, his green eyes flashing with quiet defiance. "What's the matter, Mana? Running out of clever things to say? Or does bullying your sister give you a sense of purpose?"
Mana's expression faltered, but Harry wasn't done. "You might want to save some of that wit for Slytherin. They'll eat you alive if you don't keep up."
Reiko choked back a laugh, and even Draco seemed caught off guard by Harry's words. Mana's face turned a deep shade of red, and without another word, she spun on her heel and stormed up the stairs.
Kuri stared at Harry, her heart pounding. "You didn't have to do that," she whispered.
"Yes, I did," Harry said simply. "She shouldn't talk to you like that."
Kuri's lips parted, but no words came out. The knot in her chest loosened slightly, and for the first time, she felt a flicker of courage.
XXX
The Great Hall was a breathtaking sight. Thousands of candles floated above the long tables, casting a warm glow over the enchanted ceiling, which mirrored the starry sky outside. The Sorting Hat sat atop its stool at the front of the room, its frayed edges and mysterious grin adding an air of intrigue.
The first-years lined up nervously, their gazes darting between the older students and the Sorting Hat. Professor McGonagall stood nearby, her stern yet reassuring presence guiding them through the process.
"Hikawa, Mana!"
Mana strutted forward with all the grace of someone who believed she already belonged. The hat barely touched her head before it shouted, "Slytherin!"
The Slytherin table erupted in applause as Mana sauntered over, her confidence intact.
"Hikawa, Reiko!"
Reiko swallowed hard, glancing nervously at Kuri before stepping forward. She sat down hesitantly, her hands gripping the edges of the stool. The Sorting Hat took its time, murmuring softly before finally calling, "Hufflepuff!"
Reiko let out a relieved breath and hurried to join her new housemates, who welcomed her with warm smiles.
"Hikawa, Kurisuta!"
Kuri's heart raced as she stepped forward, the whispers around her growing louder. She sat down, her fingers gripping her lap as the Sorting Hat settled over her head.
"Well, well," the Hat said, its voice echoing in her mind. "A difficult one. Kindness, loyalty, and curiosity… but also a great deal of courage. Ah, but what's this? A thirst for knowledge, a need to understand the world around you… Ravenclaw!"
The Ravenclaw table burst into applause, but Kuri blinked in surprise. "Wait—are you sure?" she whispered under her breath. "I'm not… I'm not smart."
The Hat chuckled. "Smart enough to know what you don't know. That's what makes a Ravenclaw."
Dazed, Kuri joined the Ravenclaw table, glancing back at Harry and Ron as they waited to be sorted. She waved shyly as they both grinned at her.
"Potter, Harry!"
The Hall fell silent, and all eyes turned to Harry as he stepped forward. Moments later, the Hat declared, "Gryffindor!"
The Gryffindor table exploded in cheers, and Harry joined them, his gaze lingering on Kuri.
XXX
After the Sorting, Professor Dumbledore rose to his feet, his twinkling eyes surveying the room. "Welcome, welcome to another year at Hogwarts!" he began, his voice warm and commanding. "I have several announcements. Among us are students with Active Powers, individuals gifted with abilities beyond traditional magic. I urge you to welcome them, not fear them. Together, we will learn from one another."
He paused, his tone growing more serious. "On another note, the third-floor corridor is out of bounds to anyone who does not wish to meet a most painful end. And as always, the Forbidden Forest is strictly off-limits."
With a wave of his hand, the tables filled with food, and the feast began.
XXX
As the feast continued, Kuri whispered a small summoning spell under her breath. A tiny golem resembling a golden snitch appeared in her palm, its wings fluttering softly.
"Timcampy," she murmured, placing a note in its mouth. "Take this to Harry Potter."
The golem zipped across the Hall, circling once before dropping the note in front of Harry. Without even turning, Harry reached up and caught it, his reflexes earning gasps and applause from nearby Gryffindors.
Kuri's mouth fell open slightly. He'd make an incredible Seeker.
Harry opened the note and read:
"Can't believe we're in separate houses! Did you know Active Power Tests are tomorrow morning? Wanna meet every afternoon in the Owlery? We can feed Tim and Hedwig and hang out?"
Harry smiled and scribbled a response before feeding it back to Timcampy. The golem returned to Kuri, who caught it effortlessly, drawing impressed looks from her housemates.
She unfolded the note:
"What are Active Power Tests? Does everyone take them? And yeah, I'd love to meet."
Kuri sent another reply:
"The tests are for discovering Active Powers. They used to be for stripping people of their powers. Now they'll teach us how to use them. Ironic, right?"
Harry's gaze met hers across the Hall, and they exchanged small smiles.
XXX
Later that night, Kuri sat by the window in the Ravenclaw common room, watching the moonlight spill over the castle grounds. Her new housemates chatted softly around her, their voices blending into the background. She traced the edge of Harry's note with her finger, reading his words again.
"I'd love to meet."
A small smile tugged at her lips. Harry wasn't just kind—he saw her for who she was. He'd stood up for her, not because he had to, but because he wanted to.
For the first time, Kuri felt like she wasn't defined by her powers or her family's legacy. She had a chance to make her own way here. She folded the note carefully and slipped it into her pocket.
As she climbed into bed, she made a quiet promise to herself: she wouldn't let Mana's words—or anyone else's—define her. Tomorrow, she'd face the Active Power Tests with her head held high. And maybe, just maybe, she'd find out if Harry Potter's uncanny reflexes were the answer to the question she couldn't stop asking:
Was Harry just a friend—or did he carry a secret of his own?