Snap Back To Reality 49
Anko was surprisingly doing well for someone who had just come to terms with truly dirtying their hands. Rui and I refrained from bringing up Komizawa, but we knew it took a toll, just not enough for it to warrant an intervention. We had more stressful things to worry about, but it eased my mind to know that Anko was wholly on my side. We had kept the merchant cart for about five days before ditching it. I had run through a particularly horrible fever and my reopened wounds were stitched together again. To save time we began travelling by foot, and I parted ways with Tug near a village near Wave. It was faster to travel by foot, especially when we spent about 2 hours running. It hurt me mostly out of the group, but thankfully Rui and Anko carried the twins on their back, leaving my injured one free.
Now that it was just the team and myself, I felt mostly safe. I trusted Anko and Rui with my life. They had begun to trust me too after I told them my story from the start. I left no detail hidden except for anything related to Orochimaru or my reincarnation. I left his part of the story out, simply telling them that he was a member of ROOT proper who saw my potential and took me out of there.
"We should be in Fire Country by next week," Rui said as he looked up at the stars and then back to the sleeping children.
"Fuck me, I'm not looking forward to that," Anko said glancing my way.
I snorted. "No."
"—What, I didn't say anything," she said innocently.
"No," I repeated. "You're not going to involve yourself with ROOT. I told you this so both of you could stay away and not die snooping around in business beyond your station."
"Beyond our station? You're only Chunin," Rui pointed out blandly.
"Yeah like hell we're just leaving you to sort this mess out yourself. Our sensei and our revered vege-senpai are in danger and you think we're just going to sit back and relax?" Anko asked, folding her arms and scoffing.
I shook my head at their stubbornness. It was virtually impossible to stop them from meddling. I just had to think up of a way to direct their actions to a safer part of my plan. Not that I told them too much about my plan, other than that I wanted to discuss things with Orochimaru before continuing. That was actually partially the truth. If Orochimaru had a stake now in taking down Danzo, then Shikaku would also involve himself with Orochimaru. The snake was probably cornered on both ends, and he'd lost his favour with the Hokage a while back. Me killing Danzo would be in his best interest, and as long as the fucker lost, I was honoured to murder him and his private army.
"Fine, but you need to get permission from Orochimaru-sama," I said reluctantly.
I was about to eat some rations when I noted a very familiar signature coming our way. I got up and signalled for possible friendly encounter. Anko and Rui nodded, getting up and holding onto their weapons in preparation. Even in a potential friendly encounter you wanted to make sure you were armed and ready in case things went south. We all took a step back when it was Orochimaru who landed in front of us.
"Well, well it seems most of you gakis survived," he said pleased.
"Orochimaru-sensei!" Anko said happily as she bounced up to him.
While the man did pat her on the head quickly, I noted his attention fell on me and my state before his gaze lingered on the children twisting awake at the commotion. No doubt they were already potential vessels in his eyes.
"We've been betrayed by Danzo and Shikaku," I said, cutting straight to the chase.
"There has been no word of an international incident in Kiri, so it's safe to assume you didn't fail like they had planned," Orochimaru hummed in approval. "Has Rui and Anko been informed?"
"Hai"
Orochimaru was phrasing his questions obliquely. I'd need to fill him in on the whole story later when we were alone, but I had a feeling it would be soon now.
"I have a hidden base not too far from here. We shall go there for the night," he ordered.
"Sensei, how did you manage to come here if you're under suspicion for plotting murder against a Councilman?" Rui asked
Orochimaru sent the boy a calculative look before glancing at me. No doubt he was wondering just how much I had given away about his true character and relationship with both Danzo and ROOT. I subtly shook my head his way and he smiled a predatory smile that inspired fear in most, but oddly some form of security to our motley team of messed up kids.
"There was an accident with the team I was sent on a mission with," he said vaguely, but with a disturbing smile.
He probably let them die discreetly so he could make his way to us without too much suspicion. Knowing Orochimaru, it was probably a lot more complex than that. He probably only staged a temporary departure. The only thing I didn't doubt was that there definitely was Konoha casualties.
"Come along, we will only have two days together. I will need to leave after that to avoid suspicion."
Orochimaru was moving my limbs like I was an over glorified action figure. I'd fried my chakra coils and it was a time-consuming process trying to put it back together without having to simply give me a new body. The hastily done healing process on my back just made it look like a wrinkly mess not to mention the various scars from Needle's sword work now littered my body. I'd give Deadpool a run for his money at this stage.
"It's a miracle you survived," Orochimaru commented idly.
I didn't reply. It was unfair that Kusari didn't. I shut my eyes tightly and thought about other things. No use getting emotional in front of Orochimaru of all people. Now that he was up to date on exactly what happened I needed to know whether he would support my plan.
"It wasn't a miracle. It's skill. Skills that you taught me. So are you going to help finish this or not?" I asked holding out my notebook.
I was pleased when he took the book and then went to his workstation to begin translating the kanji onto fresh paper. I rolled my right arm, breaking the tiredness from it before striding over to witness his work. Orochimaru had beautiful strokes, and his kanji was as perfect as it could get. The title of Sannin was definitely not wasted on him, neither was the title of seal master. He was putting together things that would take me months to figure out in mere seconds. If I just had forced him to be on the same wavelength as me earlier then maybe I could have used him. It was too risky of a move back then, but all that waiting had only gotten Kusari dead. I knew I couldn't let opportunities like that go again, no matter how risky it was.
"A seal like this is something I'm unfamiliar with," he admitted, although it sounded rather forced. "You will have to continue the seal on your own. I will simply direct the kanji to the best places for chakra flow."
I nodded eagerly. A few silent minutes later and Orochimaru had finished inscribing the words together. He looked rather impressed which did boost my confidence through the roof. Who knew it was a religious script that would give me the idea to make this seal? I accepted the scroll readily before deciding to ask the final few questions.
"I thought you'd want the children," I finally said.
Orochimaru paused and smiled at me, that knowing arrogant smile. I backed down slightly wondering if I'd overstepped my questioning, but a part of me did falter at the thought of fighting for them. So far, all the test subject Orochimaru had procured were adults, because children's bodies reacted in an entirely different way to the fuinjutsu he was studying. I knew he wasn't beyond experimenting on children. He would do it to Yamato in the future and endow him with wood release killing who knows how many more children in the process. That was something I couldn't allow. Adults were one thing, but children were different—they were weak and most often times powerless and to prey on the powerless was… well it felt wrong.
"They would become precious material in the future, yes, but I know how to choose my battles little neonate," he said patting my head before he left to the door. He turned around as he opened the door and looked at me seriously. "Do not confront Danzo in a fight without my aid."
"Hai Orochimaru-sama," I replied with a serious nod.
"If things go south ask for a reverse summon," he added.
"Oh, you have an escape plan if we're implicated?" I asked curiously.
His answer was a simple smile, and while it was a dangerous one it was surprisingly reassuring. Orochimaru was self-serving in his love, but I was useful to him and therefore not someone he would easily throw away. I knew he wasn't some benevolent sensei, certainly not anywhere close to the bond Gaku and I had, but I trusted him far more because I knew exactly how he thought, and there was safety in that knowledge. Orochimaru was a practical man, resourceful, cunning but most importantly he had a purpose. Many people waded through life with no aim, intent on living it day to day, but his drive was unending for his goal, and that thankfully made him predictable.
"Danzo will most likely betray us as soon as you come back, but it will happen in the presence of several officials or Sarutobi, never alone. He'll want to make sure that any illegal activities he's committed would fall on both of us instead of him. He caught sight of my… wavering loyalties," Orochimaru hummed uninterestedly, as if he was simply discussing the weather.
I rubbed my chin and looked down in thought. This never happened in the manga. Orochimaru probably still held a tenuous relationship with Danzo, but it wasn't until after the war when Hiruzen became Hokage again after Minato died that Orochimaru was exposed for his experiments. Maybe it wasn't the experiments themselves, but the fact that it was hidden from Hiruzen, that made the Hokage finally decide to take his half-assed action against his student. I really should have written all this down at the start of my life somewhere, but even a foreign language could easily be decoded, and I hadn't wanted to risk it. My mind had always been rather keen when it came to memory, so I'd dismissed it.
"Orochimaru-sama, I ask that we keep both Anko and Rui out of this," I requested.
"I had no intention of involving them. They would be of no help either way," he said dismissively. "Well then safe returns Hina-chan."
I watched Orochimaru leave with giddy anticipation. Having a Sannin by my side, even if he was an evil one, certainly did give me hope. Danzo would not see us coming, and if all went to plan, I wouldn't have to use my seal at all.
Reaching Konoha's border made me feel anxious. I wasn't sure how things would go with Kimimaro and Kota. It all really depended on Danzo and Shikaku, neither of whom I trusted. Whoever came out to receive the children first would get them, but that wasn't what I was worried about. Sure it would be better if they were taken by Shikaku and raised in the Nara district, but ultimately what happened to them wouldn't matter for long. What I was truly worried about were my brothers who were being held hostage by Danzo. He had threatened to kill them upon mission failure, and technically being unable to deliver the children to him was considered failure, but it couldn't be so clear cut. Surely, he only said that to ensure my loyalty. If Shikaku came to collect them, then it was a matter out of my hands.
I would at least forgive Shikaku if we kept his word and protected my brothers from Danzo. I deserved that from him at least if nothing else. I glanced over at Anko and Rui who looked worn and tense, the children on their backs, tied to them with cloth, hanging just a travel weary and tired onto them.
"Remember, it doesn't matter who comes to collect them. We give them to whoever comes first," I explained.
Anko and Rui looked reluctant, but they nodded either way. Konoha's betrayal had stung them both hard, but it made them easier to handle. They trusted me, despite knowing that I had kept, and was probably still keeping, things from them. In the end it wasn't the secrets that mattered, just that they knew I would not let them come to harm. I was grateful for my teammates. They were people who didn't need to know everything to trust me, and so I afforded them the same respect. We did what we did for each other after all.
"Team 13 welcome back"
I bowed slightly towards the Konoha shinobi who had jumped down in front of us. Silently we began undoing the cloth harnesses and handed the children over their way. I noted the lack of ANBU or ROOT insignias. So it was Shikaku who finally won on this front. My anxieties were diverted quickly back to my brothers.
"Your mission has been upgraded to an S rank, so unfortunately you won't be given the customary rest time. Follow me to the Hokage's office," the Jounin gestured.
"Hai," we all replied tiredly.
We had all come up with a detailed report plan already, but it didn't change the fact that we'd be omitting and lying about certain parts of the mission to the Hokage himself. This would be considered treason. I couldn't have the knowledge get out that we killed Konoha citizens in our mission. Rengoku and Komizawa's deaths by our hands were illegal and punishable by death. I just hoped Anko and Rui wouldn't divert from the planned report. Oddly enough I felt comfortable in my faith in them.
Entering the Hokage's office had never been so nerve wracking before, especially as it was now with dozens of ANBU standing visibly around the room when they should normally be hidden away in the ceiling. The atmosphere was serious and thick with tension. I put a calming hand on Rui's shoulder, unfazed whether or not the Hokage saw such a thing. Then we all did our courtesy bow and waited for Sarutobi to speak.
"Your mission was surely a hard one, and I notice the lack of some members. As I'm sure you've figured out by now, this wasn't a mission I sanctioned to be carried out," Hiruzen said gravely, with an almost apologetic tone.
"We are aware Hokage-sama," I said nodding.
He appraised me for a moment and then my teammates before he nodded. He probably assumed I was unable to directly state it because I still had the seal on my tongue. I was glad for that. It meant I could get away with being vague at times.
"Then I'm sure you'll understand how vital it is that this mission is kept a secret."
"Hai Hokage-sama," we all chorused together.
"Good, then report," he said, blowing his pipe.
I stepped forward. I took a moment to gather my thoughts before I succinctly recounted what had happened, who was assigned to the team, who we encountered, the early massacre of the Kaguya Clan, the infiltration mission… I paused there and decided to add in more of my thoughts. If this meant I could possibly save Rin, then I would take the chance.
"I heard word of Kiri possibly planning to kidnap a Konoha Shinobi to seal the Three Tails into them."
"That would destroy Konoha, if it was released," Sarutobi said gravely before he sighed. "Unfortunately, you have given me this precious information too late. Konoha is already well aware."
My eyes widened in shock. What? Already? How had it happened already? Was Rin… no…
"What are your thoughts on the nature of the Hidden Mists aggression?"
I found myself focusing back on the Hokage's questioning. I couldn't ask about Rin, Obito or Kakashi right now. That would be far too suspicious, not to mention knowledge that if I were found to have now, would lead to some questions I'd rather not have to answer.
"Hokage-sama, it is in my belief that the tensions building up in Kiri seems to be artificially created. Someone intends to escalate their animosity towards Konoha."
"This is grave news indeed," he replied, mulling over my words before urging me to continue.
I gave my report on how I ran into Kushimaru, which did get the Hokage's attention. It seemed he was at least vaguely aware of everything that happened before, but the encounter with one of the seven swordsmen was not something he could have predicted or known of. I described exactly what happened afterwards, how I managed to 'trick' Needle into sparing my life, how he felt pity for the children who were his best friend's nephew, how… Kusari died… My voice felt like it was failing me at the admission of his death, but I continued on regardless and barely faltered when I lied about how the hunter nin killed Rengoku and Komizawa while I was unconscious. I left out the part about Orochimaru finding us on the way and attributed my back healing well to the self-healing Orochimaru had taught me.
Then after that both Anko and Rui repeated their version of the account rather well. Once that was over, we were given large documents in a suitcase to fill out at a certain location in the T&I department for later.
"I would like to congratulate your team for its handling of a very dire mission. Not only had you managed to not escalate an international incident, when your team had been sabotaged to do just that, but you also managed to bring a new Clan into our midst. Konoha is now more aware of it's rising enemies. Your service has been invaluable. Mitarashi Anko, Chinsei Rui—"
"Hai Hokage!"
"—You are henceforth promoted to Chunin Rank. Meet at the lower office within the next week to fill out your forms."
Anko and Rui lit up in pride for a moment, their weary demeanour diminishing at least for a moment. They still looked cautious at least but being promoted on field was an honour and looked upon more highly than winning in the Chunin exams.
"And Suzuki Hina, I would wish to promote you to Jounin for this mission alone, but I fear you will have to wait a few years," he said smiling a little apologetically my way, although I knew it was for a reason other than my age.
"That is not an issue Hokage-sama. I would like to stay Chunin for a while longer too," I replied tiredly.
He nodded and then dismissed us. We were given our scroll checks and I was taken aback by its black colour. When I opened it, I was surprised to see the amount of money written inside. One mission alone and I was sure it would set my family up for another two years at least. Anko and Rui looked to be just as amazed. I didn't feel quite as much joy as I should looking at the numbers. Kusari had died for this and that left me feeling irrationally angry at even being payed. The money felt dirty.
"Hina—" Rui called out worriedly as he held my shoulder.
"I need to go back to my family," I said, unable to hide the urgency in my voice.
"Stay safe," Anko waved.
"And you two stay in public eye at all times. Make sure you're not alone for the next few weeks," I reminded them.
They nodded and I turned to jump away. The potential news about Kakashi, Rin and Obito weighed heavily in my mind but my family awaited.
I opened the bakery door hastily and rushed inside to see Matsu closing up the store. His eyes widened in surprise as it turned my way.
"Hina—"
"Where's Taichi and Tsukiya?" I asked urgently, looking around unable to see them.
"They're upstairs—"
Before he could get another word in, I had practically teleported up there. My senses flared with the signs of danger and I ducked and rolled to see a kunai embed itself in the wall behind me. When I righted myself and looked ahead, I paused at the sight of Gaku and Yama standing up on guard.
"Gaku-sensei? Yama?"
I shakily got up, ignoring the still blaring danger in my bones as he rushed up to hug me. I closed my eyes and felt my body relax in his embrace. It felt like safety. Yama's soft fur as he rubbed against my chest wasn't helping me stay on guard. I couldn't even bring myself to question their loyalty. He would never betray me. I don't think he would even be able to if he found out what I was doing with Orochimaru.
"Taichi and Tsukiya—a-are they safe?" I asked quickly pulling away.
"They're safe kiddo. It seems Danzo isn't planning anything for now," he whispered.
Gaku paused for a second, his face turning too serious. "Hina—"
"—I know you had nothing to do with the order on my life," I said firmly.
Gaku seemed to let out a sigh of relief, and the apologetic look on his face told me everything. He was too honest to be a shinobi, but that's what I loved about him. I sent him a fond smile as I looked into his familiar warm face, but I didn't have the time to dally. I felt urgently like I needed to see them myself. After giving Yama a quick pat on the head, I rushed into the corridor to see Taichi's head snap my way.
"Hina—"
I bounded into my brother in relief.
After taking an age long shower, I got dressed in my shinobi gear, piling up on the weapons and scrolls into as many secret dress compartments as I could. I could feel the glare of the enemy in my peripheral vision waiting to attack. Danzo should summon me soon, and then it was only a matter of what he'd ask me to do from there. That was an unknown neither I nor Orochimaru could predict, and it set my nerves on edge.
I looked at myself in the mirror to calm down once again and took in a deep breath. I hadn't grown an inch from when I had left on the trip. It seemed without Orochimaru's growth hormones; my body would be stagnating under the strain of my work. Despite the lack of height I managed to look a few years older again. At this stage by 20 I wouldn't be surprised if I had the stress lines of a 50-year-old.
I wasn't surprised when I found a slip of paper by the window summoning me to ROOT headquarters at night. At this stage it was expected, but I doubted Danzo would do anything drastic considering the circumstances. Plus Orochimaru and I had a plan, and that required we wait for the perfect moment to strike Danzo in public. It would force the Hokage's hands, and we would kill the fucker before he could implicate us in our illegal dealings. It was a risky manoeuvre, but I preferred it to my earlier plan.
I walked out of the shower to see Tsukiya peek from the corridor. I put on a smile and waved him over, and he uncertainly peppered over my way. His warm green eyes sparkled with innocence, and made my heart feel similarly lighter and when he was close enough, I didn't hesitate to pull him into an embrace. Even against me now he was so small and soft, his hair fluffy and full. I wanted nothing more than to pause.
"Are you okay Hina-neechan?"
"I am now," I said softly as I buried my face into the nape of his neck.
When I was with my family it felt like all the rage would drain away, like my heart would still for its unending bloodthirst and I could be at peace for a moment. But I knew if I allowed myself a moment longer I would stay like this forever, caught in a soft trap of familial love until it was all inevitably torn away by my own inaction.
"You're hugging too tight," Tsukiya said nervously.
"Sorry," I mumbled out in shock as I pulled away.
I laughed quickly, hiding away my own discomfort as I ruffled his hair and made him flustered. I noted how long his green hair had gotten and I didn't miss the fact that it looked like he had tried very hard to emulate my exact hairstyle. He sent me a cute pout and I pocketed my summon.
"We're going to eat. Tai-nii told me to call you," he huffed.
"Your neechan has one more thing to do before she can eat," I said apologetically. "Wanna see something cool before I go?"
Tsukiya looked interested again and he nodded quickly. I grinned as I went through my hand signals and called forth my most useful jutsu. A gust of hot wind blew up drying me in the matter of seconds.
"What was that?"
"A hair drying jutsu! Isn't it useful?" I chuckled.
"Nuh-uh, that's lame! Show me a fireball," Tsukiya whined.
"It's so not lame, it's awesome! Also I really have to go—"
"—But the fireball!"
"I'll show it to you when I come back ok," I smiled.
Tsukiya didn't look pleased. He sulked, crossing his arms, and puffing out his cheeks. I couldn't help being sadly amused as I ruffled his hair and walked out to the dining room. Taichi looked at how I was dressed and frowned when I pointed to the door.
"Come back soon," he sighed as he looked at the hot food he made.
"I promise," I tutted, feeling entirely unwilling to go to my summon when the smell of fresh food was in front of me.
Before I exited Gaku nodded at me, something in his eyes reassuring me. I nodded back, but the heaviness in my heart didn't leave. Just because he knew where I was going didn't mean I felt safe. Just because he had my back didn't mean I couldn't fail. I had failed Kusari after all… I shook my head of those depressing thoughts and ignored the smell of fresh food too.
Despite my hearts desires I managed to bring my focus back on. It didn't matter what day it was, a meeting with Danzo was not something that often happened, and when it did it felt like my heart was ready to burst from my chest. My blood was pumping already, ingraining into me a bloodlust that never left. It called to me with the faces of my parents and Kusari. The only difference now was that I didn't feel his hold on me any longer. There was no seal binding me to his will, and the taste of his blood was already on my tongue.
I walked into the dredges of ROOT, feeling its uncomfortable familiarity come over me again. I palmed the omamori Kohachi had given me in my pocketed compartment as I entered. Its reassuring presence allowed me to take in a deep breath and calm my rapidly beating heart. I had not come unarmed and unprepared.
Once I made my way in, I noted the increased presence of activity tonight. Was something going on? There wasn't enough time to give it thought because I made it into the debriefing room. Danzo stood at the back, half his body still bandaged up, most likely with only about half the Uchiha eyes he would have had in the future. It still made him a formidable opponent.
I felt disgusted as usual as I prostrated myself before him, kneeling down like a good dog.
"You failed your mission Utsuro, although it seems it was partially your fellow agents' fault for letting Shikaku's men impersonate them. We have lost two valuable assets."
"I apologise Danzo-sama," I said stiffly.
"It isn't the matter," he said turning around to finally look at me. "What is important is to test your allegiance."
I paused and glanced up despite myself. Did he plan to kill my family? No, even he would know that would simply severe all hold he had on me. He had something else in mind.
"My allegiance and trust belongs entirely to you Danzo-sama," I said, trying to sound as earnest as I could.
He scowled. "You think me a fool Utsuro. You weren't meant to make it back alive and yet you did. There is no use in hiding that you don't know of this already. You and Orochimaru have proven to be a rot festering in the foundation of Konoha."
I looked up fully now, losing all pretence of submission. I didn't expect him to openly say this today of all days. Orochimaru had speculated that Danzo would call us both out in public. I had expected Orochimaru's plan to spin around his crimes onto Danzo and gain public favour, but if Danzo wanted to kill us in private then that would mean he was willing to take the risk of killing a very prominent war hero and his protegee. What gave Danzo that kind of courage, I didn't know. I should be cursing. Not only was he going to kill me now for sure, but I didn't have Orochimaru to help.
I had no idea why Danzo thought this was a good idea. Even Hiruzen wouldn't turn a blind eye to this would he? Fuck... maybe he would, but as much as I distrusted Shikaku, he would not let this slide.
All that inevitably didn't matter. Like fuck was I going to lose to Danzo. I wouldn't let him touch me or what was mine again. It didn't matter if Orochimaru was here or not. I had my own plan, and I was happy to do it on my own. It would make the satisfaction of murdering the fucker all the better.
I felt my blood pumping and my breathing deepen excitedly within me at the thought of his blood.
"You dare raise your chakra in front of me?" he asked, as he held out his hand to activate my seal.
Nothing happened and I grinned at Danzo's realisation that my seal was undone. Root Shinobi body flickered down, armed, and ready. Before they could do anything, I took out my ready-made scroll, bit my thumb and activated it. The agents around me began frothing at the mouth, their eyes turning behind their heads as they held their throats in agony. The sounds of screaming rung through the entirety of the ROOT underground system, like bloody music to my ears it echoed perfectly for a glorious few second. Then almost like a fading echo it drowned out into silence leaving the stunned Councilman and I alone. I grinned in giddiness, feeling the itch of excitement under my skin at Danzo's surprised and stricken face.
"Do you like it? A mass activation seal. You can thank the sage of six paths for giving me the perfect sequence for the intent of 'connection'. The foundation of the Will of Fire is what took down ROOT. Poetic irony," I said, feeling a deep satisfaction at my monologue.
Danzo snarled but he quickly took a deep breath and then a step back. I held onto my kunai in preparation, but he simply held out his hand.
"Did you not understand? I got rid of the seal—" I said about to chuckle when an intense pain hit me.
My knees buckled as the ringing got louder and louder. What?! The seal was gone! I had gotten rid of it!
"There was always a hidden secondary back-up seal. You have caused irrevocable damage to Konoha. For that you will die."
I screamed in agony and rage, clawing my way towards the man beyond me in desperate fury. Why?! I was this close! Why couldn't I have this one thing?!
My vision blurred and I buckled inwards. The dark spots blurring my vision engulfed it entirely in a sheet of black and I felt my heart stop.
Was this... was this the end?
A/N
Hahaha whaaaaaat. Ok yeah this isn't the end. I doubt any of you readers will believe I'd end this story with Hina losing and dying to Danzo. This definitely isn't the end.
Also I PROMISE that I will deal Danzo a satisfying end. That is something I won't go back on. It's coming VERY soon. I haven't been building up the hate for Danzo for no reason XD
Thanks to everyone who reviewed/followed/faved! I appreciate you all! Also if you want to check out another si/oc of mine (lot less si than oc actually) then check out my Harry Potter story called Good Ol' Fashioned Razzmatazz. It's a lot more funny and light hearted than this story and is actually under the comedy genre, because Arete is the kind of chaotic wizard who doesn't care about the plot and just honestly causes mayhem for the sake of it. Also it seems I have a thing for snake girls because Hina's contracted to snakes and Arete is a parseltongue who's best friend is a snake. I'm a Hufflepuff though so no idea why I'm so fixated on snakes XD ANYWAY not saying their universes are connected... but I MIGHT be.