The first light of the morning entered through the thin curtains, casting a soft glow over the small, one-room apartment. The air was filled with the gentle scent of nature, very different from the smell of the Dursley's house scent. In the center of the room, a young boy stirred beneath a warm blanket, his dreams fading as the world around him slowly came into focus.

Harry's eye fluttered open, blinking away the last remnants of sleep. For a moment, he felt a wave of fear wash over him. The unfamiliar surroundings made his heart beat fast. The small room, with its tatami mat flooring and low wooden table, was so different from anything he had known. Panic threatened to take hold until his gaze settled on the figure standing over a table.

"Dad?" Harry's voice was small.

James turned as he met his son's eye. "Good morning, Harry," he said, his voice gentle and reassuring.

The fear that was inside Harry's heart disappeared at the sight of his father. James looked tired, but his smile was as comforting as ever for Harry.

"Come on, buddy," James continued, moving toward a small plate wrapped in transparent plastic. "Let's have some breakfast."

Harry pushed back the blanket and stood up, the cool air brushing against his skin. He walked just 3 steps over to the table and sat down across from his father. The simple meal of rice balls and tea was something he had never had as breakfast, but it was the first time that he was not the one making the breakfast. Suddenly, Harry's stomach rumbled, calling for food.

James removed the plastic. "Try this, Harry. It's different from what you're used to, but I think you'll like it. It's a present from Sunakake-Babaa."

Harry took the rice ball hesitantly, eyeing it with curiosity and uncertainty. He took a small bite, tasting the seasoned rice filling his mouth. It was different, but not in a bad way. He chewed thoughtfully, glancing up at his father.

"Is it good?" James asked, his tone light.

Harry nodded, a small smile forming on his lips. "It's good, Dad."

Relief flashed across James's face, and he picked up his own food, some plums and cherries, taking a bite as they settled into a comfortable silence. The warmth of the tea seeped into Harry's hands as he held the cup, the unfamiliar flavors slowly becoming more familiar with each sip.

After a while, Harry broke the silence, his brow furrowing as a memory from the day before came back. "Dad," he began hesitantly, "yesterday, you were talking... different. How?"

James paused, setting down his cup. He regarded his son thoughtfully before answering. "That was Japanese, Harry," he explained. "We're in Japan now, and people here speak Japanese."

James's smile turned a little wistful as he continued. "My mother, your grandmother, was very strict about my education. She made sure I learned different languages when I was younger, Japanese included."

Harry nodded slowly, absorbing the information. "Will I have to learn it too?"

James smiled, reassuring his son. "Yes, you will, but don't worry. I'll help you."

Harry saw his father and nodded. "Okay, Dad. I'll try."

James's smile grew. "That's my boy. We'll get through this together."

As Harry finished the last of his tea, savoring the warm, earthy flavor, James set his tiny cup down and looked at his son.

"Harry," James began, his tone slightly more formal than before, "there's something we need to do today. We need to speak with the owner of this apartment."

Harry looked up, curiosity piqued. "The owner?"

"Yes," James nodded. "Her name is Sunakake-Babaa. She's a very old woman, much older than most people you have met. But don't worry, she's a family friend. She knew my father and grandfather when they were just a little, and she's even older than my great-grandfather."

Harry's eye widened in surprise. "Older than your Great-grandfather? That's really old!"

James chuckled softly, the sound lightening the mood. "Yes, it is. But she is very kind. She was kind enough to let us stay here, so we need to go thank her properly, and you, my son, need to introduce yourself."

Harry nodded, a little nervous but reassured by his father's calm demeanor. "Okay, Dad."

James stood and walked over to a small dresser in the corner of the room, pulling out a neatly folded shirt. "Let's get dressed, and then we'll go see her."

A short while later, Harry stood outside a door at the far end of the narrow hallway leading from their apartment with his father on his shoulder. The building was quiet, and the air was filled with the faint scent of incense and the distant chirping of cicadas. James asked Harry to knock on the door, and he did it gently.

After a moment, the door creaked open, revealing an elderly woman with a hunched back and deep-set eyes that twinkled with a mysterious wisdom. Her silver hair was tied back in a tight bun, and her face, though lined with age, held a serene smile.

"Ah, Jēmuzu -kun," (Ahm James) she greeted warmly, her voice raspy but full of life. "Soshite kore wa chīsana harī ni chigainai." (And this must be little Harry)

Harry was afraid because he could not understand what she was saying. He remembered that yesterday he saw her, but he did not see her clearly. Now, in the morning, he can see that she has sand all over her face and eyes. 'Does all the very old people look that way?' thought Harry. There was something both comforting and strange about her.

"Hai, Sunakake-Babaa," James replied, bowing respectfully. " Kochira wa watashi no musuko, harīdesu. Harī to watashi wa, anata no tokoro ni tomete kureta koto e no orei ni kimashita." (This is my son, Harry. We've come to thank you for letting us stay here.)

Sunakake-Babaa chuckled softly, a sound like the rustling of dry leaves. "Kinishinaide kudasai. Watashi wa anata no kazoku to tomodachi ni natte kara nagai jikan ga tachimashita. Anata o tasukeru no wa tōzen no kotodesu." (Don't worry about it. It's been a long time since I was friends with your family. It's only natural to help you.)

She stepped aside, allowing them to enter. The room was small but filled with trinkets and relics that spoke of a life lived fully and deeply. A low table sat in the center, surrounded by cushions, and the walls were lined with shelves holding everything from ancient scrolls to tiny figurines.

Harry sat on one of the cushions, his eyes wandering around the room, taking in every detail. There was something about this place that felt like stepping into another world filled with secrets and memories long forgotten by the rest of the world.

Sunakake-Babaa, looked at Harry and then smiled. "Shōshōomachikudasai." (Please wait a moment.) She then started to check one of her boxes, saying things like, "Kitto kono atari ni oku to omoimasu." (I am sure I place it around here.) Then she took a necklace made of a simple cord with a metal ornament that looked like a Tanuki.

"Hora, bōya. Sore o ki nasai." (Here, boy. Wear it.) Said the old woman while handing the necklace to Harry. James then translates it to Harry.

"Can you understand, now?" asked the woman in perfect English. Harry's eye went wide once again in the day and nodded. The woman also nodded while walking to one side of her room to grab some tea for her and her guests. "That's the same necklace your father and your grandfather used to wear the first time they came to Japan."

Harry grabbed the necklace and looked at the ornament. Sunakake-Babaa smiled, "That's a tanuki, your great grandfather, Henry. When he came here, he found a friendly tanuki, and he decided to have a necklace that resembled his first Japanese friend."

Harry smiled, knowing more about his family and that he was now holding something so precious.

Sunakake-Babaa settled onto one of the cushions, her old bones creaking as she did so. She folded her hands in her lap, her sharp eyes softening as she looked at James and Harry.

"Now," she began, "you two don't have to worry about rent. Consider it my gift to an old friend's family. But," she continued, holding up a slender finger, "I'm afraid I can't do much about your food. You'll need to take care of that yourselves."

James bowed his head slightly. "Thank you, Sunakake-Babaa. That's more than generous."

Sunakake-Babaa waved off his thanks with a smile. "There's no need to thank me, James-kun. But there is something else I'd like to suggest." She turned her gaze to Harry, who was watching her with a curious eye. "For your son's sake, I think it would be wise for him to learn Japanese as soon as possible. That necklace will give problems when people start to notice that the mouth movements do not correspond with what he is saying."

The eye nodded, already anticipating where this conversation might be heading. "I was planning on teaching him myself," he said, though his tone was more hopeful than confident.

The old woman's eyes twinkled with amusement. "James-kun," she said, her voice with the affection of a grandmother. "I remember when you were just a little boy, full of energy and mischief. I also remember the colorful language you used to pick up now and then."

James's face flushed slightly, and he laughed sheepishly. "I suppose I wasn't the best role model back then."

Sunakake-Babaa's smile grew wider. "Indeed. That's why I think it's best if you leave the teaching to someone more… refined. Someone who can guide young Harry without any unfortunate vocabulary slipping through."

James rubbed the back of his neck, chuckling as he nodded in agreement. "You might be right about that."

"Of course I am," she replied with a smirk. "Now, listen carefully. There's a man you should seek out, someone who lives deep in the Gegege Forest. His name is Yagyō-san, and he's a master of many things. He'll be able to teach Harry far better than you or I ever could."

"Yagyō-san?" James repeated, committing the name to memory. "How do we find him?"

Sunakake-Babaa served herself some tea and sipped it before answering. "The Gegege Forest is not a place for a normal human. But, you are a wizard, just like your son, so you should be fine as long as you do not do anything you shouldn't." She paused and drank a little more tea as if recalling the path in her mind. "You should be able to find his house without too much trouble. Just walked down the Yōkai Yokochō and head towards the forest. Keep to the left path until you reach a large stone marker with the kanji for 'protection' carved into it. From there, take the narrow trail that leads deeper into the woods. Yagyō-san's house is at the end of that trail, a big old trunk. He's not fond of visitors, but tell him that I sent you, and he'll make an exception."

James listened intently, mentally tracing the path she described. It sounded like a daunting journey, but if it would help Harry, he was willing to take it.

"Thank you, Sunakake-Babaa," James said sincerely. "We'll find Yagyō-san and ask for his help."

Sunakake-Babaa nodded approvingly. "Good. And James-kun," she added, her tone almost motherly, "take care of yourself and Harry. The forest is old and full of mysteries. Keep your wits about you, and you'll be fine."

James bowed again, deeply this time. "We will. Thank you for everything."

Sunakake-Babaa's eyes softened as she watched father and son rise to leave. "Go on, then. And remember, you're always welcome here."

Harry was about to stand up when James spoke again. "Before leaving. Can you tell us where the closest Gringotts bank is?"

Sunakake-Babaa looked at James and then thought for a moment. "I think there was one close in the Yōkai Yokochō. Gringotts is the one operated by Goblins, right?" James nodded, and the old woman started to think.

"The only one I know is in the Wizarding side." Said Sunakake-Babaa.

"I see…" James looked at his and turned to the old woman again. "Can you help us go there? I would go with Harry, but I am afraid that he can be recognized, and I really want to avoid any unnecessary problems."

Sunakake-Babaa drank her tea and then crossed her arms. "I do not want to go to the wizarding world. They are very impolite to other races that are not human." Then she turned to see Harry, "But I understand your concern. The news of a kid surviving the killing curse had arrived here."

The old woman closed her eyes as if she was thinking about her options and then left an audible sight. "Yes, I'll take you there. But you better hide really well until we are alone with the goblins."

James nodded. "Of course, with that money, it will help me buy some food." He then turned to his son and smiled at him. "I'm going to the bank with Sunakake-Babaa to get some money, so I'll need you to stay here in our room for a little while."

Harry looked up at his father. "Stay there alone?"

James smiled. "It won't be for long, I promise. Just stay inside, and I'll be back before you know it."

Harry nodded, trusting his father's words. "Okay, Dad."

Sunakake-Babaa stood and moved toward James, motioning for him to hum to her shoulder. "Come along, James-kun. The bank is quite far, we should start now to end the trip as quickly as possible."

James nodded, giving Harry one last comforting smile before jumping to the old woman's shoulder. "Be good, Harry. I'll be back soon."

As James left the place, Harry walked back to their room and closed the door behind him. He suddenly found himself alone in the quiet apartment. The silence felt heavy, almost weird after the busy morning. He wandered around the small space, unsure of what to do. His gaze fell on the low table where they had eaten breakfast, and then on the door.

He decided to explore a bit, trying to pass the time. As he walked down the short hallway outside the room. , he noticed a door slightly ajar at the end. Curious, Harry pushed it open and peeked inside.

Suddenly, he heard a weird sound from the stairs. To his surprise, he was a bald old man with a mustache and drooping eyebrows. The man was slumped against the wall, holding a small bottle in his hand. His cheeks were flushed, and he reeked of alcohol, even though it was still early in the morning. The old man went through the hallway with difficulty and then looked up at Harry.

/*/

It took almost 2 hours for James and Sunakake-Babaa to complete all the bureaucracy that Gringots needed to confirm the information about James's identity.

Sunakake-Babaa came to a halt. James was surprised to find his son outside the apartment, playing kendama with an unfamiliar old man. Sunakake-Babaa's reaction was much more immediate. Her eyes narrowed as she recognized the figure before her.

"Konaki-Jijii!" she yelled. "What are you doing out here, drunk, in the middle of the morning?"

The old man, Konaki-Jijii, paused, the kendama still dangling from his hand. He looked at Sunakake-Babaa, then burst into a raspy, wheezing laugh. "Ah, Sunakake-Babaa, you've always been too serious! Just having a bit of fun with the boy, that's all."

Sunakake-Babaa huffed, clearly unimpressed. "You should know better than to be drinking at this hour, especially around a child!"

Konaki-Jijii waved her off, still chuckling. "No harm done, no harm done. The lad's fine, see? He's got a knack for this kendama, too."

Despite her irritation, Sunakake-Babaa couldn't help but glance at Harry, who was holding the kendama with a proud smile. She softened slightly, but only for a moment.

"Go on, then," she said to Konaki-Jijii, her tone more resigned than angry. "You've had your fun. Leave the boy be."

With another hearty laugh, Konaki-Jijii patted Harry on the head before leaving. "Take care, boy," he said, still smiling as he shuffled down the street, his steps unsteady but full of cheer.

"Wait!" called Harry. "Your toy."

The man replied, without turning back, "Kendama, boy. It's called Kendama. And you can keep that one."

Sunakake-Babaa watched him go, shaking her head in exasperation. "That old man is more trouble than he's worth," she muttered, though there was a hint of fondness in her voice.

James, who had been silently observing the exchange, finally spoke up, a hint of amusement in his tone. "Seems like you made a new friend, Harry."

Harry nodded, his earlier anxiety long forgotten. "He was nice, Dad. He taught me how to play this."

Sunakake-Babaa sighed, her earlier sternness giving way to a gentle smile as she looked at Harry. "Just be careful, Harry. Konaki-Jijii isn't a bad person, but he's not always the best company."

"I will," Harry promised, clutching the kendama tightly.

James jumped from Sunakake-Babaa to his son's shoulder, grateful for the unexpected but pleasant turn of events. "Thank you for watching out for him, Sunakake-Babaa," he said sincerely.

Sunakake-Babaa nodded, her eyes warm as she regarded them both. "It's nothing, James-kun." She then handed Harry two bags: one small and the other bigger, heavy, and hot.

James turned to Harry. "While we were out, we picked up something to eat. Why don't we head inside, and we can have lunch together?"

Harry's eyes lit up at the mention of food, and he eagerly walked into the building. But just before stepping inside, James asked Harry to wait and turned back to Sunakake-Babaa.

"Sunakake-Babaa, do you know if there's a place where we can shower around here?" he asked, uncertain. "We could both use one after all the traveling from England to here."

Sunakake-Babaa laughed and nodded, pointing down the street. "There's a bathhouse. It's not far from here, and it's quite popular with the locals. You should find it easily enough."

"Thank you," James said, relieved. "We'll head over after lunch."

With that settled, James and Harry went inside, where they sat down to enjoy the food James had brought back. The meal was two Okonomiyaki and a few sweet treats. Harry ate enthusiastically, his appetite sharpened by all the playing. In the middle of their lunch, James realized his mistake, as he was sure that he was still able to eat a full Okonomiyaki himself, a thing that was impossible for him now with his current body.

As they were still eating their meal, Harry looked up at his father, curiosity in his eyes. "Dad, what's a bathhouse?"

James chuckled at the question. "A bathhouse is a place where people go to wash and relax. It's a bit different from taking a shower at home. There are big baths, almost like pools, where you can soak in hot water. It's very common here in Japan."

Harry's eye widened in wonder. "Like a swimming pool? But with hot water?"

"Exactly," James said with a smile. "It's a bit of a tradition here. You'll get to try it out soon enough."

After they finished eating, James asked Harry to gather a few things they would need for the bathhouse. Once they were ready, he led Harry out of the apartment and down the Yōkai Yokochō.

As they walked, Harry noticed the streets were filled with an unusual mix of people. A few looked ordinary enough, while others had distinct, almost otherworldly features. He turned to see his father and saw his confidence, which helped him as he was feeling both excited and slightly nervous about this new experience.

When they arrived at the bathhouse, James explained the process to Harry as they prepared to go in. "First, we'll wash up at the showers to get clean, and then we'll soak in the hot baths to relax. It might feel strange at first, but I think you'll like it."

Harry nodded, eager to see what it was all about. The bathhouse was a warm, steamy place with a scent in the air he couldn't name. Following his father's instructions, Harry washed up carefully, and soon, they were both soaking in one of the large baths.

The hot water was soothing, and Harry quickly forgot his earlier nervousness. He leaned back against the edge of the bath, his small frame almost disappearing beneath the water, and let out a contented sigh. James smiled, watching his son relax.

"This is nice, Dad," Harry said softly, his eyes half-closed.

"It is," James agreed, feeling the tension of the past few days begin to melt away. "It's a good way to unwind after everything we've been through."

They spent a while longer enjoying the warmth of the bath before finally getting out, feeling refreshed and ready for the next step of their journey. James jumped again to Harry's shoulder as they dried off and dressed.

"Alright, Harry," he said, his voice filled with a sense of purpose. "Now that we're all cleaned up, it's time to visit Yagyō-san. Are you ready?"

Harry nodded, his earlier excitement returning. "I'm ready, Dad."

With that, they stepped out of the bathhouse and back into the bustling streets of the Yokai village, ready for the Gegege Forest. They then walked and found the forest and walked inside it.

The path into the Gegege Forest was narrow, surrounded by tall trees with thick trunks and extensive foliage that filtered the rays of sunlight to a greenish color. The air was cool and filled with the earthy scent of moss and damp leaves. Harry walked light, amazed by the whole atmosphere, while his father, standing on his shoulder, looked around with caution.

After they had walked for a while, Harry suddenly looked up at his father with a knowing smile. "Dad, I think I know why it's called Gegege Forest."

James glanced at him. "Oh? Why's that?"

Harry pointed ahead, his expression serious. "It's because of the sound."

James listened, and at first, all he could hear was the rustle of leaves and the occasional chirp of a bird. But then, as he focused, he noticed a low, rhythmic, croaking sound that seemed to echo through the forest.

"Gege…gege…gege…" The sound came from the many toads and frogs hidden among the trees and bushes. Their croaking created an eerie, almost musical rhythm that filled the air.

Harry nodded eagerly. "See? The toads and frogs say Gege-gege."

James chuckled, ruffling Harry's hair. "You've got sharp ears, son. I think you're right."

They continued walking, the sound of the frogs and toads accompanying them like a strange, otherworldly chorus. Harry was fascinated by everything around him, his eyes darting from one tree to another, searching for the creatures making the sounds.

As they walked, Harry spotted a toad hopping along the path ahead. Without a second thought, he started following it.

"Harry, don't wander off," James called, but Harry caught up in the excitement of following the toad, didn't listen.

The toad led Harry off the main path and into a small clearing, where a serene pond lay among the trees. In the center of the pond was a large, ancient-looking tree, its roots submerged in the water, its gnarled branches reaching high into the sky.

Harry stopped at the edge of the pond, his eyes wide in awe. "Dad, look! It's so beautiful!"

James was still trying to clean himself from the leaves that had fallen on him. He looked at the scene before him and couldn't help but agree. The pond was like something out of a fairy tale, perfectly still except for the occasional ripple caused by a frog jumping in. A small trail took them to the center, where a giant tree stood proudly.

"It really is," James said, placing a hand on Harry's ear. "But we need to stick to the main trail, okay? We don't want to get lost."

Harry nodded, still gazing at the pond. "Okay, Dad."

With some reluctance, Harry turned away from the pond, and they made their way back to the main path. To their surprise, they found a large stone marker right away. The stone had a single kanji carved into it: 護, meaning 'protection.'

"This must be the place," James said, pausing to take in the sight. The marker seemed ancient, its surface worn smooth by time, yet the kanji was still clearly visible. They found the narrow trail Sunakake-Babaa talked about, and they followed it.

Not far from the marker, they saw the giant trunk tree with windows and a door. They saw smoke gently rising from the chimney, indicating that someone was home.

James guided Harry to the front door, and Harry knocked. For a moment, there was no response, but then the door creaked open slightly, revealing an elderly man with blueish skin, long brown hair and beard, a single giant eye on his forehead, and two horns coming from his head.

"I don't want to buy anything," the old man said gruffly, closing the door.

"Wait, please!" James said quickly. "Sunakake-Babaa sent us. We're not here to sell anything."

At the mention of Sunakake-Babaa, the old man paused. He frowned at Harry and then at the small eye who spoke. He left the door open but didn't invite them in yet. "If she sent you, that must be..." the old man trailed off in his thoughts, and then he continued, "What is it?"

James smiled, trying to put the man at ease. "We've come to ask a favor, not to trouble you."

The old man studied James and Harry for a long moment before finally stepping aside and gesturing for them to enter. "Come in, then. Let's hear what you have to say."

James and Harry stepped inside, and Harry's eye immediately went wide with wonder. The inside of the house was unlike anything he had ever seen. He felt like he had stepped into a squirrel house, a very academic squirrel. All around them, bookshelves were carved directly into the wood, filled with books and scrolls of all shapes and sizes, some of them looking so old that they seemed ready to crumble to dust.

"Wow," Harry whispered, taking in the sight of the countless books. "There are so many…"

"Yes," the old man said with a slight smile, noticing Harry's awe. "Books hold great knowledge, and knowledge is something that needs to be protected. That's why they're so important."

James nodded in agreement, feeling a sense of calm wash over him in this strange, cozy place. He looked at the old man with respect. "Yagyō-san, we've come to ask for your help in teaching my son Japanese. We've recently moved here, and I want him to learn the language properly."

Yagyō-san stroked his beard thoughtfully, his eye narrowing a little as he considered James's request. After a moment, he nodded slowly. "If Sunakake-Babaa sent you, then she must believe it's important. Very well. I'll help you."

James smiled gratefully. "Thank you, Yagyō-san. We truly appreciate it."

Yagyō-san smiled, "and with this, I will be able to finally get rid of the pending favor I have from her."

Harry looked up at his father, feeling excitement and nervousness. He wasn't entirely sure what to expect, but something about Yagyō-san's house and the vast collection of books made him feel like this was the beginning of an adventure.