"The Triwizard Tournament is the most exciting, most prodigious, most tremendous, most colossal, most phenomenal, um, most….gargantuan, best thing that's ever happened," Lev shouted, large sweeping gestures almost knocking him out of his train seat.

Yaku rolled his eyes. "You can't even compete in it. The Minister said it's fifth year and above."

"Well...yeah." Lev fell back. "But, you'll compete in it for me. Right?"

"Absolutely not," Yaku answered firmly. "Next year's our NEWT year. I'll be studying."

"Aww, but-," Lev cut himself off, considering. "Actually, yeah, that's probably for the best. You're too tiny, Yaku. You'd probably get eaten by a dragon or something and that would suck!"

Yaku's face twisted into the far too familiar expression of incandescent furry before Yachi stepped in, narrowly saving Lev's life.

"I'm excited, too," she said quickly before smiling. "Though, honestly, I don't think I'd enter even if I could. I'd probably give Mom a heart attack after last year."

Hinata bounced in his seat. "Kenma, are you enter-"

"No."

"Okay, then," Hinata sighed, "does suck we can't compete in it, though. Sounds fun."

The rest of his friends exchanged looks.

Hinata pouted, already seeing where this is going. "Oh, come on, it would be fine!"

"You'd die," Lev said flatly. "You'd definitely die. Seriously, I wouldn't be surprised if they made that rule just for you."

"Hey," Hinata objected.

"Well," Yachi said, trying to phrase the words as delicately as possible, "it is….a bit of a tradition. Not that it's your fault, of course," she hurried to add, "It's just…."

"Bad luck," Kenma finished.

Hinata rolled his eyes. "Okay, fine, maybe it's a tiny bit of bad luck. But, hey, I've got you guys and I've survived so far, yeah?"

"You have." Yachi nodded before pausing. "Still….better not to risk it."

Kageyama nodded adamantly.

"Okay, okay, not like I can enter anyway," Hinata tilted his head. "People don't actually die in the tournament, right?"

"Um…," Yachi trailed off. "Not, er, lately. No one's died from it in over a century."

Yaku snorted. "It hasn't been held in a century."

"That's also true," Yachi agreed.

"Wait," Kageyama frowned, "so why's everyone so excited that Hogwarts is hosting it if students died?"

Lev blinked. "...Is that a trick question?"

"I'm sure Hogwarts and the other schools have made it safer for the revival," Yachi reassured.

"Are you sure," Kenma questioned quietly.

"He's got a point," Yaku said. "I mean we still don't even know what was petrifying people a couple years ago."

"...heh, yeah," Lev very quickly changed the subject. "Oh, but guys, the competition's not the only awesome thing about the tournament?! There's the best part, too!"

Yaku looked surprised, the tips of his ears turning faintly red. "You're that excited about the Yule Ball?"

"Pft, no way." Lev shook his head before beaming. "I mean my sister Alisa's coming!"

Yachi smiled. "Really?"

"Yep! She's in seventh year at Durmstrang," Lev said excitedly. "Ahhh, wait until you guys meet her! She's the coolest person ever! I heard Durmstrang's even coming in on a real ship that sails under the water!"

"How," Kageyama asked.

"Who cares?" Lev waved the question away. "The point is that it's awesome!"

"It should be fun meeting the other schools," Yachi admitted. "Actually, Mom told me Durmstrang's Headmaster might even be teaching Defense."

Lev's eyes went wide. "No way!"

Yaku was in a similar state. "Wait, the Demon Coach? He's teaching here? How'd Ukai get him to agree?"

"Apparently, it's still in negotiations." Yachi shrugged.

"Who's the Demon Coach," Hinata asked. "And, um, why do we want him?"

Surprisingly, Kageyama was the one who answered.

"Tanji Washijo," he said, voice low and awed, "He's supposed to be the greatest Quidditch coach ever! He had a Quidditch team make the World Cup ten years in a row!"

Hinata frowned. "Then, why's he a headmaster?"

"Because he retired," Lev moaned. "Really young, too! And, then, he just left England and went all the way to Durmstrang and he never coached Quidditch again!" He bolted suddenly in his seat. "WAIT! Do you think he's making a come back! Maybe that's why he agreed to teach!"

Yaku snorted. "Not happening."

"It could," Lev insisted.

"Why'd he retire," Hinata asked.

Kenma's eyes slid to the side.

"He's a muggleborn," Kenma said quietly. "He left during the war."

A heavy silence fell over the train compartment as everyone took that in.

Eventually, Yachi cleared her throat and gave a brief smile. "Well...then, I guess it's a nice thing that he's here this year."

Hinata pulled up a smile, too, a little weaker than his usual one. "Yeah!"

"I'm telling you, guys!" Lev grinned. "This tournament's going to be the biggest thing ever!"

ooooooo

"And see," Daichi said, "the wand movement's just a little bit different from an Extension Charm and you don't have to add all the extra stuff to make it undetectable. So, just a bit more work to make sure all the corners are covered and…and….alright, maybe just a little more; but then…."

"That's great," Tsukishima deadpanned, snagging onto Yamaguchi robes before the shorter teen fell over as the train jostled onto a bridge, "any chance, you'll be done before we get to Hogwarts?"

Daichi gave him a flat look, making one last twist of his wand. "Dispendo Extremis."

With a creaking sound, the benches of the train stretched out not unlike taffy until finally the walls around them shook gently and everything settled back into place to form a wider compartment than the train should have reasonably allowed.

"There," Daichi said. "Next time ask Suga to teach you the Expansion Charm."

"Your service is appreciated," Tsukishima said, waving his way into a seat by the window.

Yamaguchi smiled, following after him. "Thanks, Daichi! This is great! Now, we don't have to double up on seats."

"Yeah," Noya said, sounding utterly unenthused. "Good work, Daichi."

He then followed by sitting in Asahi's lap anyway despite the perfectly open seat next to him.

Tsukishima rolled his eyes. "So, now, that we've updated to seating standards slightly above a medical hazard-"

"Aw, I'm going to miss the old cramped compartments actually," Tanaka shook his head sadly. "Think of all the memories we made!"

Tsukishima's eye twitched. "I'm sure I will. For years in my nightmares. Anyway, I think it's time we talk about the real issue."

Noya nodded. "Exactly, the tournament!"

"The tournament," Asahi groaned, hiding his head in Noya's back. "I think I'm going to die just watching it!"

"You're the most cowardly werewolf ever." Ennoshita shook his head.

Asahi gave a small smile. "Thank you."

"So, Asahi's not going to enter," Ennoshita jerked his thumb at Tanaka and Noya. "We know those two are. What about you, Daichi?"

"Might as well try," Daichi agreed. "You?"

"Yeah, Gryffindor pride and all that," Ennoshita paused. "Not that I think our chances are that good. I bet almost everyone's entering. It'll probably be a seventh year."

Tanaka punched his shoulder. "Come on, Ennoshita! It's gotta be one of us? Who else has fought a basilisk?!"

Yamaguchi shuddered. "He's right. If it's based on life threatening danger, you guys do have an edge."

"I feel….," Daichi frowned, "I feel like I shouldn't be so pleased by that."

"Gryffindors." Tsukishima rolled his eyes. "Yes, I'm sure everyone's very excited for the stupid tournament. Even Akiteru's working at it and he's basically a glorified Ministry intern." He leaned forward, glaring at Tanaka and Noya. "But, I meant tell us what you've done?!"

Noya and Tanaka blinked, turned to stare at each other, before turning back to Tsukishima.

"Um," Noya hesitated, "could you be a little bit more specific?"

"Oh, for Merlin's sake." Ennoshita pinched the bridge of his nose. "He means what's the latest disaster you're planning!"

"First," Tanaka said, looking unreasonably calm, "we don't like to think of them as 'disasters' so much as 'learning experiences', Ennoshita."

Noya nodded primly. "It's a matter of branding. Very important."

"Huh?" Daichi had taken on a state of zen. "You know sometimes it's like I can feel my life shortening."

Tanaka scooted away from him. "You should probably get that checked out."

Daichi's zen evaporated. "Just tell us."

"We can't," Noya complained. "We told you. You have to wait until the castle."

"Why," Yamaguchi asked.

"Because we got the elves to deliver him straight to our dorm room," Tanaka said. "For safety."

There were a lot of questions to that.

"Him," Daichi demanded.

"So you already have it," was Tsukishima.

"How'd you get the elves to do that," Asahi asked.

Yamaguchi frowned. "The creature's safety or ours?"

"WAIT, YOU MEAN MY DORM ROOM," Ennoshita shouted.

Noya picked Asahi's question because Asahi was his favorite. "We asked the elves if they wouldn't mind before we left last year."

Ennoshita gaped wordlessly. "You've been planning this for that long?!"

Noya and Tanaka both nodded.

"Dream project," Tanaka emphasized. "We've been trying to do this since first year!"

"And," Noya looked up hopefully, "it would really, really mean a lot to us if you guys could just hear us out on this one."

"You're all going to love him," Tanaka said. "We promise. He's the sweetest little….er, he's the sweetest little guy ever!"

In unison, Tanaka and Noya both looked at the group with large, pleading eyes.

Tsukishima grimaced."Ugh. I hate both of you. I hate you both so much."

Yamaguchi patted his back. "What Tsukishima means is it probably won't hurt to at least meet, um, him."

"It will hurt. It always hurts," Ennoshita muttered before groaning. "Oh, fine, quit looking at me like that. I'll at least hear it out. Not like I have much choice since apparently he's already in my room."

Noya smiled shyly up at his boyfriend.

Asahi hesitated. "It's not….it's not too dangerous. Right, Noya?"

Noya shook his head. "I don't think so."

That was minimally reassuring at best but Asahi sighed, nodding before he leaned his head back on Noya's.

The group turned to Daichi.

Daichi rolled his eyes. "When my hair goes white before I even graduate, you two are finding me the best hair dying charms. Do you understand me?"

"The very, very best," Noya agreed solemnly.

And, together, the group made a choice that at least five out of seven were already beginning to deeply regret.

ooooooo

Oikawa sighed, looking out the train window with a sense of deep contemplation for the myriad of life's mysteries.

"Isn't it amazing," he began earnestly, "how you can meet someone and just….Boom! That's it. The very first time you lock eyes and-I mean there's not even any question-you just….you know, down to the very marrow of your bones that this is it. No going back. This is your entire life now."

The rest of the compartment stared at him in various states of shock.

"Um," Suga hesitated, "so, you're dating someone new, then."

"What?" Oikawa twisted in his seat. "No! I meant Ushijima! I hate him! I actually hate him!"

His friends slumped down in relief.

Kuroo snorted. "We probably won't ever talk to him again. Don't you think you're being a little bit dramatic?"

"Not once in my poor, humble little life." Oikawa huffed. "And we will see him again! We'll see him all year! And it's all because of this stupid, bloody tournament!" He threw back his head and groaned. "Do you think it's too late for all of us to transfer to Ilvermony? Just for a year-a student exchange, maybe? Oh, or Castelobruxo! I love South America!"

Iwaizumi gave him a look. "Apparently, you've applied to enough schools recently."

Oikawa winced, falling silent.

"I'm sure we'll still be able to avoid him," Suga reassured before frowning. "Anyway, I'm more curious about the tournament. I wonder why the Headmaster decided to bring it back now."

"Publicity." Kuroo shrugged. "And politics. With all the bad press from 'Rezei' last year, of course, the Board wants to give them something else to talk about."

Suga hummed. "I never thought Headmaster Ukai was the type to play politics."

"Apparently so," Kuroo said. "Like it or not, the Triwizard Tournament's the oldest wizarding competition in Europe. I mean it goes back to Merlin."

"Really," Iwaizumi asked. "It's that big of a deal?"

"It's the biggest!" Bokuto leaned forward, lowering his voice mysteriously. "Legend is that when Merlin got really, really old, he called all the Heads from the three most renowned wizarding schools together to try to find his one true successor-the next GREATEST WIZARD OF A GENERATION! But," Bokuto's voice went hushed again, "all of the schools thought their students were the best so to pick, Merlin used his own magic to create the Goblet of Fire to choose the most worthy student from each school." He straightened, spreading his arms like he was conducting a lesson. "Each champion had to compete in a test of body, mind, and heart and, then, for the winner….Merlin charmed the Goblet to transfer its power to her so that she could use it to find the next greatest when the time came. And then, it continued on and on, for centuries and centuries until finally…."

"It's us that have to deal with this dragon shit," Oikawa finished.

Bokuto beamed. "Exactly!"

"They usually hold it once in every fifty years," Suga continued, "But, they stopped because, well…."

"Last time, two of the three champions died," Kuroo finished bluntly.

"Of course, they did," Oikawa deadpanned. "Perfect. Exactly, what we need after a basilisk, a werewolf, and Sora-the bloody Wizard Death Games!"

Kuroo snorted. "Only the past champion can light the goblet again, Hogwarts is probably just getting desperate to hold it before the last guy dies of old age. Plus, you know, good press if the next winner's one of their own."

Oikawa rolled his eyes. "Honestly, who would even be dumb enough to enter?"

Most of the compartment suspiciously avoided his eyes.

"Oh, Merlin, you're not," Oikawa whined. "Please, tell me you guys aren't going to actually sign up for Voted-Most-Likely-To-Maim-Us sixth year edition!"

Bokuto grinned sheepishly. "Um, well, I mean it's only held every fifty years and it does look kind of fun."

"Plus, Dad would murder me if I didn't," Kuroo added.

"I'm not," Suga piped in.

"Well, at least two of us have self preservation." Oikawa crossed his arms. "Come on, even you, Iwa-chan?

Iwaizumi shrugged. "What? Can't be that much worse than the last three years; at least it's not trying to kill us."

"Ugh!" Oikawa threw up his hands. "Fine! When one of you inevitably has bad enough luck to win, I'll cheer for you; but, just know it will be very, very begrudging."

"We'd expect nothing less," Kuroo said solemnly before his lip quirked up. "You're really not entering?"

"Too much of a hassle," Oikawa waved the question away.

Bokuto nodded. "Yeah, the tournament probably is going to be a lot of work."

"Pft, tournament's only part of it," Oikawa dismissed. "I meant making sure the rest of my House doesn't stab me in my sleep if I actually got chosen."

"I'd love to see their faces, though," Suga said.

"True and almost worth it." Oikawa smirked. "But, luckily for them, I've learned to prioritize and that would definitely overextend my two hours a day dedicated to spite."

"Schedule it with petty revenge," Suga suggested.

Oikawa shook his head. "That's every other Tuesday."

Kuroo rolled his eyes. "Kenma's not entering either."

"Neither is Akaashi," Bokuto said before sighing loudly, looking forlornly down at his shoes.

"Okay, seriously, what is up with you and Akaashi," Oikawa demanded.

"What?!" Bokuto looked up with large, panicked eyes. "Nothing's up with me and Akaashi? Why would you think something's up? I don't even know an Akaa-"

Kuroo face palmed. "Bo."

Bokuto winced. "Okay…..um, I might've realized something…..over the summer."

The rest of the compartment waited.

Bokuto sighed. "Well, we were back home and Akaashi was trying to make me feel better about not taking Divination because Akaashi always tries to make me feel better and then, I kind of just looked up and he was looking down and it was sunny and you know that way when the light hits Keiji's hair and it looks all shiny but like really, really soft, too? So, then, I had to touch it. I mean how could I not, right? So, I tucked it behind his ear but then he looked up and then the light hit his eyes and it was just like…...like whoah, you know? Like you know how everyone's seen how the blue in his eyes goes darker around the center because Akaashi has the most gorgeous eyes ever? Because like I knew they did that but I didn't like….I didn't….know and then…..," Bokuto broke off in a blush, "Anyway, so, I think I'm in love with Akaashi; but, it'll probably be fine eventually."

His friends gaped at him.

"Have you told him," Suga was the first to ask.

Bokuto shook his head vehemently. "Of course not! What if he turns me down? That would be awful!"

"What if he doesn't turn you down," Iwaizumi pressed.

Bokuto blinked.

"Well…." He glanced up shyly. "You really think I got a chance?"

"Yes," Kuroo said firmly. "Absolutely yes. It's Akaashi! You've known each other since he was….what like seven?"

"Five," Bokuto mumbled. "He moved in with us when he was seven." He groaned. "But, that's why it's a bad idea! He knows me! He's going to say 'no' and then it's going to be awkward and my family will have to disown me to stop it from being awkward and then, I'll be homeless and I'll have to move to like Siberia and learn like ice magic which, admittedly, would probably be kind of awesome; but, everything else would suck because Akaashi wouldn't love me back."

"Hmm, interesting," Oikawa said in that particularly contemplative way that had the compartment turn to him.

Bokuto looked up with hopeful eyes. "Yeah?"

Oikawa nodded. "Does Siberia really do ice magic?"

Iwaizumi punched him.

"Ow, fine," Oikawa rubbed his arm, focusing on Bokuto. "Look, the best way is to feel it out a bit. Try to see if Akaashi feels the same way." He gestured to himself with a flourish. "Take it from me. I'm a bit of a love expert."

"You were dumped three times just last year," Kuroo deadpanned.

Oikawa stuck out a tongue. "And how many dates have you been on, hmm?"

Kuroo glared; but, didn't answer.

Oikawa took his victory. "See, like, I said you've got one genuine love expert to help you out. Maybe two, Suga's doing alright, I suppose."

"Thanks," Suga said dryly before looking at Bokuto. "Oikawa's right. There's no reason to rush it if you feel nervous. You can start small, see how it feels and how he reacts, and try to work up to a date."

"Really?" Bokuto looked considering. "You think that could work?"

"You're Kotaro Bokuto." Suga smiled. "That alone is a lot of good reasons to say 'yes'."

"Plus, you got us to help you," Oikawa said. "Who knows maybe Kuroo and Iwa-chan will even prove useful."

"I'm going to charm your face green," Kuroo said.

"I'll help," Iwaizumi agreed.

Oikawa winked. "And I'll still get more dates than you."

And then, he yelped as Iwaizumi launched forward to put him in a headlock.

"Rude, Iwa-chan! My hair!"

ooooooo

The Crows stood around outside the door to the Gryffindor fifth year dorm room with expressions ranging from a healthy nervousness to approaching terror

…..and Noya and Tanaka, who looked like Christmas had come early.

"Can we hurry this up?" Tsukishima held up his watch. "We already don't have much time until the Opening Feast."

Tanaka snorted. "They make the first years come in by boat, Tsuki. We've got time."

"Don't call me Tsuki."

"Patience, Tsuki," Noya said. "this is an important moment. Literally history changing when it comes to magical creatures. We can't rush this. I think it's important that we all take a second to just breathe. Let the moment flow into you, breathe out the energy. Okay?"

Ennoshita groaned loudly.

"Close enough," Tanaka cheered. "Noya, I think they're ready! Go get him!"

"Got it!" Noya hesitated, a serious air settling around him. "Now, remember, guys, it's really, really important that you don't scare him. He doesn't scare easily; but….well, let's just say it's something to avoid, okay?"

The rest of them exchanged a look, Asahi might have whimpered.

Noya nodded before squeezing through the door, leaving the rest to wait outside with Tanaka.

"So," Yamaguchi started, " when you say experimental…."

"Yep, Noya and I bred him ourselves," Tanaka said, eyes shining. "Really carefully, of course, you know we wouldn't let any creature get hurt. Sort of like the first cases of blast ended skrewts that we read about, remember?"

They did remember. This did not at all make them feel better.

Tanaka kept talking. "Completely uncharted waters now. Little guy's the very first of his kind. An actual marvel. Who knows what's going to happen when he gets older?"

The group was now quickly approaching the sort of desolate horror not out of place for those facing dementors.

Tanaka beamed.

"Why don't….," Daichi spoke slowly, "Why don't we just wait for Noya quietly, okay? No more questions."

Another few moments passed in relative silence, the only noises coming from the occasional shuffling behind the door.

"Okay, he's ready," Noya called out.

"Awesome, so are we," Tanaka called back despite the fact that most of the group did not remotely feel ready.

Tanaka opened the door anyway, revealing Noya standing in the middle and holding….

"Guys," Noya said with all the affection of a proud father, "I'd like you to meet Flumpy."

In Noya's arms was what looked like a brown slug. Not even a giant slug or one with millions of sharp teeth, just some kind of maybe worm-possibly growing fungus if the mushroom looking things growing out of his back were any indication.

"Isn't he the most amazing little guy you've ever seen," Noya cooed, holding the slug-fungus thing up to his face.

The slug-fungus thing didn't react, not even a twitch.

"Is it….is he dead," Ennoshita asked cautiously.

"Nah, just a bit lazy," Tanaka answered, holding up a leaf of cabbage. The rest of the group watched as the creature in careful, borderline excruciatingly slow movement inched closer to the leaf, a mucus trail following behind him.

"Careful there," Noya said, looking enraptured, "if you give him too much, he'll sleep through the entire day.

The Crows were...the Crows were confused.

"Um, Noya," Asahi asked. "What exactly is Flumpy?"

"He's a flobberlump!" Noya moved the creature onto Tanaka's hands so he could turn to the group and gesture excitedly. "The first one to ever exist! It's amazing! Flumpy here's genetically half flobberworm and half horklump-a true flobberlump!"

Tsukishima gaped wordlessly before shaking his head. "Why would you want to breed a horklump with a flobberworm?"

"It's our dream project," Tanaka said, laying Flumpy down on the desk where it indeed did look like he'd fallen asleep halfway through eating the lettuce. "Flobberworms and horklumps actually have really similar genetic structures. Flumpy here is a way we can combine both of their defense systems, make them safer!"

"They're flobberworms and horklumps," Ennoshita said. "What even are their defense systems?"

"Er, not much actually," Tanaka admitted, "that's why Flumpy here is so important."

"So….," Noya looked up at them with large, sparkling eyes, "what do you say, guys? Can we keep him here?"

The Crows still felt strangely like they'd accidentally fallen into an alternate reality.

Tsukishima stared at the creature. "But, he's so….he's so bor-"

Daichi stepped forward immediately, talking over him. "Now, you two know that an entirely new creature is a very big responsibility, right?"

Noya and Tanaka nodded seriously.

"And you know," Daichi continued, "that keeping Flumpy here makes him all of our responsibility?"

Noya's eyes miraculously grew two times as pitiful. "But, if you just consider-"

"And that before we make any decisions," Daichi cut him off, "I think the rest of us need to talk it out a bit before we decide on anything."

"But," Tanaka started.

"Especially since Flumpy is such an interesting," Daichi raised his brows, "and potentially dangerous creature."

"Well, I don't really think 'danger-" Yamaguchi started before Daichi elbowed him sharply.

Noya and Tanaka exchanged a look.

"We understand," Noya said eventually, "but, remember, you promised you'd at least consider keeping him, right?"

"We did," Daichi agreed, ushering the rest of them to the door, "Now, give us a few minutes to talk it through alone on whether we can safely handle such an exciting and fascinating creature."

Tsukishima scoffed. "Oh, pleas-"

Daichi shoved him out of the door before he could finish. He looked at the remaining five with an abruptly serious expression. "Come on, we'll talk in mine and Asahi's room."

He motioned them onward, leading them to the next hall over and herding them into the sixth year boys' dorm.

Once the door was shut behind them, Ennoshita didn't hold back. "Daichi, you can't seriously think the slug creature is dangerous, right? They bred him with a horklump and a flobberworm! Do you know what the Ministry classifies horklumps and flobberworms as? Single X, for 'Boring'! The creature's legal classification is boring!"

"Flumpy is the least dangerous living being I've ever seen and I room with Asahi," Daichi said flatly. "But, Noya and Tanaka cannot know that!"

"Wait, what?" Yamaguchi frowned. "Why not? They'll probably be thrilled if we agree it's no big deal to let him stay."

"Exactly!" Daichi nodded fervently. "They'll be thrilled and, then, a few weeks later when they realize how easy it was, they'll be bored! And we all know what happens when Noya and Tanaka are bored. They find something not boring!"

The group exchanged looks of horror..

"Um," Asahi's tugged at his sleeves nervously, "we don't know they'll get bored."

"He's a flobberlump," Tsukishima said, "I'm bored with him and I've only seen him for a minute."

"Maybe they won't find anything else," Yamaguchi tried.

"We thought that last year before the boggarts," Daichi reminded them. "Face it, if Tanaka and Noya get bored, they're genetically disposed to find something terrifying. We all thought the map was boring, too, until it led us to wandering around the castle at night with a giant basilisk on the loose."

Ennoshita's eyes widened. "Oh, Merlin, you're right! They'll find something to kill us!"

"This is our one, perfect opportunity for a normal year," Daichi said. "They already found the most boring creature in the world and, for some reason, they think he's fascinating. All we have to do now is keep them interested!"

The room stood silently, just absorbing the idea for a second.

"That could actually work," Yamaguchi said in awe.

"It could." Tsukishima let out a low whistle. "But, it would be a miracle to keep them thinking a flobberlump's interesting."

"It's our only shot," Asahi insisted. "We have to try!"

Ennoshita narrowed his eyes at Daichi. "You've been hanging out with your Slytherin boyfriend too much, haven't you? You're starting to think like one."

"Sometimes the truest path to bravery is knowing when you need a good strategy," Daichi replied solemnly.

Tsukishima shook his head in awe. "I don't think I've ever respected you more."

"So, we're agreed," Daichi asked.

Ennoshita rubbed his hands together, eyes prepared for battle. "Let's do this."

As one, the group returned to the fifth year dorm.

Noya and Tanaka stared back at them, practically wringing their hands in hope.

"Daichi's right," Ennoshita started, "this is a huge responsibility for all of us."

"And, um, a s-scary responsibility, too," Asahi said, his gift of mediocre lying for once coming out as true nervousness.

"Flumpy is just such a unique opportunity," Yamaguchi added. "We'd hate to mess it up."

Tsukishima sniffed. "Frankly, I'm just not sure it's worth the danger."

"As you can see, we all definitely have our concerns," Daichi concluded. "But, we wanted to hear from you two before we made a decision."

Noya and Tanaka looked at each other before Noya launched forward, clinging to Daichi's robes. "Please, Daichi, you guys won't regret this, we promise! Flumpy is the most interesting, most unique, most fascinating, most awesome creature we could possibly find! He'll be perfect to stay here! I swear! I get why you guys are probably scared! But just give him a chance, he's perfect, really!"

"Most interesting creature ever," Daichi repeated.

Noya nodded. "Definitely. A hundred percent!"

"You two promise," he asked, looking at both of them.

"Promise," Noya and Tanaka said together.

Daichi hid a smile, exchanging a look with the rest of the group.

"Well….," he said finally, "since you two feel so strongly, I guess we can take the risk."

"Really?" Noya beamed, wrapping his arms around Daichi in a tight hug.

"Yes, really." Daichi patted his back. "How could we not with such a unique creature?"

"Exactly!" Tanaka crowed, fist bumping in the air. "I mean just look at him!"

Flumpy was currently passed out on his half eaten lettuce leaf and, if they weren't mistaken, snoring sightly which just sounded odd coming from a slug creature.

"So...so interesting," Tsukishima said, fighting hard to keep the sarcasm out of his voice.

Sensing the limit, Yamaguchi pulled him to the door. "Well, now that it's settled, I suppose we better hurry to the Welcome Feast, right?"

"Yeah," Ennoshita agreed. "Last thing we need is points off on the first night."

"You guys go ahead." Noya waved him off. "We still gotta do a bit more to make sure Flumpy's settled."

Daichi frowned at them. "Don't be late."

"We won't!" Tanaka promised before shooing them. "Now, go on and save us seats!"

With a cautious sense of optimism, the five member group let themselves be sent off, waiting until they were finally in the common room to turn to each other.

"Merlin," Ennoshita let out a slightly manic laugh, "it worked! I can't believe that actually worked!"

"We can't say that too soon," Yamaguchi reminded quickly, barely tamping down on his own smile. "We still have to keep them interested for the rest of the year!"

"But still….," Tsukishima even grinned, "even if we can only make it a few months that's still months without whatever insanely terrifying creature they inevitably find."

Asahi sighed wistfully. "I just hope Noya has fun with Flumpy while it lasts, though. He does hate being bored."

"So, we'll make sure he's not bored," Daichi said, not even bothering to hide his grin as he saw the near giddy state of his friends. "This is it! I can feel it! The one year where we don't have anything to worry about!"

And, standing in the common room, the five friends finally, finally got the chance to relax.

ooooooo

Upstairs in the dorm room, Tanaka shook his head. "Our friends are way too easily entertained."

"I know," Noya said, placing Flumpy in his very own, newly made artificial habitat. "I kinda feel like it's a failing on our part, honestly."

"But, still….," Tanaka said, gesturing wildly, "they seriously think Flumpy...Flumpy is some kind of dangerous creature. Merlin, Noya, he's a single X even on the Ministry's biased scale!"

Noya snorted. "Yeah, but they also were worried about a baby boggart colony and a literal newborn dragon so, really, I don't know why we're surprised anymore." He tapped his chin thoughtfully. "I'm just glad they fell for it."

Tanaka rolled his shoulders ."You really think it was necessary?"

"Definitely," Noya said seriously. "Face it, bro, our friends are adrenaline junkies-with a super skewed view of danger, sure-but, just remember how dull it was last year before we found the boggarts! They need this, we're basically their only fix at this point."

"Noya, man….you're absolutely right," Tanaka realized with wide eyes. "Merlin, they'd be so bored without us, we're practically saving their lives."

Noya nodded fervently. "Let's just hope Flumpy is enough to distract them!"

"Agreed. The real project made it safe, then," Tanaka asked, all levity dropping away as he sat cross legged on the other side of Noya's trunk.

"Should be all here." Noya grimaced. "My trunk was almost full; good thing the elves agreed to apparate Flumpy."

Tanaka swallowed, looking at the trunk. "So, we're really doing this, then?"

Noya hesitated. "It's your choice, bro. All of this, say the word and we'll stop."

There was a long pause.

"I need to know, Yu," Tanaka said finally.

Noya opened the trunk, pulling out books upon books, diaries and histories, parchments and files and finally, on top of it all, was two cut out pieces of newspaper.

One reporting the death of an unnamed Azkaban prisoner, incarcerated for a string of murders suspected to be orchestrated under the Giant's orders and most notably the murder of pureblood heir Naoki Yachi after the Giant's fall.

Kirika Uragiri.

A second reporting the deaths of a husband and wife-a formerly prominent pureblood couple and noted Giant followers, imprisoned for mass murder and multiple counts of torture. Their names were reported.

Rokuro and Jin Tanaka.

Their son took a deep breath and laid the final piece on top.

A newspaper clipping, published the day after their supposed death, covered almost entirely with thick red letters that almost looked like blood, Soon with the Tanaka family crest-two crossed wands interwoven with a snake.

Noya looked down at it. "We'll figure out what really happened, Ryu. I promise. No matter how long it takes."

"I know." Tanaka nodded. "And if they really are still alive, if they really did escape….we'll find them."

ooooooo

The Great Hall was packed tightly, newly sorted students shuffling in beside their new House mates as two fifth year Gryffindors that snuck in late were still being glared at by the rest of their friends.

Headmaster Ukai cleared his throat, casting Sonorus as he stood to speak. "Students, we welcome all of you-both new and returning-to what I'm sure will be a particularly memorable year at Hogwarts….as I'm equally sure many of you have already heard, thanks to the Minister's announcement. For those of you who haven't, this year, Hogwarts will be pleased to welcome both the Durmstrang and Beauxbatons' schools of magic to compete in the Triwizard Tournament, open to all fifth year and above."

There was excited shuffling around the hall as students nudged and whispered to their neighbors.

"With that, we will also be hosting the Yule Ball this winter, open to all fourth years and above," Ukai added, only to receive an entirely different kind of excited murmurs. The old Headmaster refrained from rolling his eyes before moving on. "In addition, I am particularly pleased to announce that Headmaster Tanji Washijo of Durmstrang has graciously agreed to teach our Defense Against the Dark Arts class this year while Headmaster Fuki Hibarida of Beauxbatons will be teaching the temporary elective of Beginning Alchemy, available for third years and above in the evenings. I'd like all of you to remember what an excellent opportunity this is to learn more about your fellow schools and treat all of our guests with the same respect you show our faculty, regardless of the competition. If I hear you have not…." He trailed off of the statement as at least half of the hall felt an actual shiver run up their spine.

Headmaster Ukai smiled sharply. "They will be arriving here next week."

He then looked down at his notes and sighed, loud enough for the noise to echo around the hall. "I have one more announcement. Before I make it, I would like to remind you that the ability to have certain prestigious events at this school comes at the sacrifice to many of your dear teachers' time and energy. As such, certain extracurriculars will not take place this year. That includes Hogwarts' annual dueling competition and…..I regret to inform you…..," Headmaster Ukai took a deep breath.

"The Inter-House Quidditch Cup will not take place this year and the main Quidditch field is closed until further notice."

There was a moment of utter silence in the hall.

Hinata tilted his head like a confused bird. "Huh?"

Beside him, Kageyama was staring wordlessly.

"Eh?" Bokuto frowned.

A few tables down, Noya, Tanaka, and Nao were blinking repeatedly as the words struggled to make sense to them.

The moment sunk in and, at once, there was a thunderous reply from the hall.

"WHAT?!"

ooooooo

A/N: Thank you, everyone, for your support of this story! You guys are amazing and I appreciate you!

Also, please check out this fantastic fanart of Suga and Daichi! I love it so much! post/621490478025670656/i-know-gryffdaichi-and-slytherinsuga-are-the

Next chapter: End of the World
Post Date: July 4th-5th

Have a wonderful week, everyone!