A/N: Just feel like I should note this. This chapter as the fictional magical worlds of other countries discussed-I promise this absolutely isn't me making a comment on those actual, real countries which are I'm sure nice and lovely, it's just me trying to think about how other fictional magical countries would be affected by the Giant's War in the wizarding world of Great Britain.

ooooooo

Sitting in front of them was one of the most beautiful girls the group had ever seen.

She also looked exactly like a female version of Lev.

Which made the first fact very, very weird for most everyone involved-the exceptions being Lev and the girl herself.

"Lyovochka!" Alisa Haiba crushed her brother to her chest. "My adorable baby brother! I'm so happy to see you! Are these the friends you keep talking about?!"

"Yeah!" Lev grinned back with all the enthusiasm of a puppy. "Alisa! Hogwarts is awesome, just wait, I'm going to show you everything! There's a giant squid in the lake! And there's supposedly these giant spiders in the forest! Oh, and my room! It's underwater! Remember how I told you about that?! It's so amazing-I mean," Lev pointed up, "look, even our ceiling's great!"

Both siblings looked up happily at the star covered ceiling of the Great Hall before looking back at each other, smiles widening.

"Ooooh, I want to see everything," Alisa enthused, finally letting Lev go to turn to the rest of the table. Her eyes had an extra twinkle when they landed on Hinata. "And I've heard so much about you, too! Let me guess! I want to see if I can guess which are which from Lyovochka's stories."

She pointed at Yachi first. "Yachi, of course. I hear you are very, very cool."

Yachi blushed. "Um, I don't-"

"The coolest." Kageyama and Hinata interrupted her together.

Yachi's blush deepened even as she continued to address Alisa. "Thank you! I'm really excited to finally meet you. Lev's told us so much about you."

Alisa smiled back even as she leaned over to ruffle her little brother's hair.

She tapped her chin before turning back to the group. "And you must be Kenma, I know by the hair."

Kenma nodded, blank face turning up a small, polite smile in recognition.

"Which would mean you're Kageyama," Alisa guessed, waiting for Kageyama's confirmation, before she turned to the shortest member of the group and her smile widened to untold brightness. "And you! You I've heard the most about! You must be Yaku!"

"Huh," Hinata said and Kageyama snorted beside him, Yachi covering her mouth to hide a similar reaction.

"No, no," Lev waved a hand, "that's Hinata, the other really short one."

"Hey," Hinata objected.

"The one with all the danger stuff, remember," Lev continued as if Hinata hadn't spoken.

"Ah!" Alisa nodded at Hinata. "My apologies, I've heard about you, too."

She pouted, looking back at her brother. "Then, where's the Yaku boy you're always talking about? I wanted to meet him, too."

"Oh." Lev turned a bright red. "You can. Yaku just normally sit with Moniwa and Konoha so….um, just not now."

Alisa was still frowning. "Why doesn't he sit with you? I thought you were his favorite person."

"I am! I definitely am," Lev confirmed immediately. "Just you know," he leaned forward, lowering his voice as if imparting a secret, "I wouldn't want to scare the others, right? They're sensitive to that stuff."

Alisa nodded in understanding.

"What," Kageyama said flatly.

Kenma leaned forward. "Out of curiosity, what exactly have you heard about Yaku?"

"Oooh," Alisa smiled, obviously getting ready to impart a favorite subject, "No worries, my brother explained everything to me. I heard Yaku is very, very tiny; but also extremely smart and very cute, too. But, despite this, everyone thinks he's the most terrifying person in the entire school and it feels like he can turn someone to dust just with a single look so many are quite scared to talk to him." She beamed at her brother. "Except for Lyovochka, of course, who was very brave and befriended him while my brother was still a small first year himself. Then, he learned that the scary Yaku who terrified the school was secretly a really kind person underneath. Which is why my brother's his favorite person!"

"What," Kageyama said more emphatically.

Lev nodded eagerly. "Exactly! That's exactly what happened!"

"Um," Yachi said in the exact same tone she used when Hinata and Kageyama were doing something really stupid and she was unsure if she should stop them or help clean up after the mess.

Kenma closed his book, looking at Alisa. "You should tell Yaku exactly that so he knows you're not scared of him."

"Really?" Alisa brightened. "Are you sure he will not be uncomfortable if he realizes I know!"

"It's better for him to know." Kenma narrowed his eyes at Lev. "Tell him exactly what you told us."

"Wait-," Lev started, feeling panicked without quite knowing why.

Yachi and Kenma exchanged a look before Yachi dramatically shivered.

"Kenma's right," she agreed blithely. "You really should tell Yaku that. We would; but, we're just too scared to tell him ourselves. He should definitely know, though."

"Hey, guys," Hinata pointed to the entrance, "I think Yaku just got here!"

Alisa grinned, standing and pulling her brother out of his side to follow behind him.

"I'll tell him now," Alisa agreed, dragging her brother off to where Yaku had spotted them and still stood by the entrance.

The rest of the friends watched and waited.

Hinata looked to the rest of them. "Um, should we-"

"No," Kenma said, an utter calmness behind his eyes that was the same that oceans used to sink ships, "this is how he learns, Shouyou."

Hinata shrugged. "Okay."

They waited.

"YOU TOLD HER WHAT?!" boomed out over the hall, loud enough that those closest actually shrank back.

Kenma turned back to his book, looking satisfied. "I take it back. The tournament was a great idea."

ooooooo

Oikawa was being stared at.

Which, honestly, wasn't exactly that unusual; but, it was particularly annoying this time.

And, what was even worse, Ushijima didn't have the decency to pretend he wasn't staring when Oikawa finally gave in and glared back.

"Asshole," Oikawa ground out.

"Yeah, but let's not take it out on the poor mangled cutlery, alright?" Kuroo saved a near dented fork from Oikawa's grip before it could be bent even more.

"He's staring at me," Oikawa complained.

"Yeah, he is." Iwaizumi was glaring back at Ushijima's table because, every now and then, Iwaizumi was an excellent, amazing best friend.

"Maybe he wants to talk to you," Bokuto suggested.

"Then, he can die in disappointment," Oikawa said bluntly. "Because I do not want to talk to him."

"He might leave you alone if you do," Kuroo added.

"Possibly," Oikawa agreed, "but I'm utterly unsure that the small possibility is worth the pain I'd endure at actually exchanging words with Ushiwaka."

He could feel the stare in the way the fine hairs on his neck stood at attention and it was driving Oikawa insane.

Suga had his head tilted. "You really don't like him, do you?"

"Gee, what gave it away," Oikawa asked through gritted teeth.

Suga ignored the tone. "I meant that you've dealt with far worse people than Ushijima, we all have. And, as….as uncompromising, I suppose, as Ushijima was, I really don't think he meant any harm." He paused. "I don't think I've ever seen you this irritated by it before."

"I know!" Oikawa threw up his hands. "That's what I was trying to say on the train! There's something about him! I can't even explain it. He just….it's just….," Oikawa twisted in his seat and found the annoyingly cropped hair and the aggravatingly blank face. He glared. "I just hate him! I hate him."

The table stared at him.

"He's just one guy, Tooru," Kuroo tried to reason.

"You sure talking wouldn't help," Bokuto said, ever the Hufflepuff.

"Fine!" Oikawa stood up. "I'll talk to him! I'll try."

He pointed at his friends, giving them a look. "But, if this doesn't work, I'm getting Matsu and Makki to spike his breakfast and not one of you is going to stop me."

"Deal," Suga agreed.

"I'll go with you." Iwaizumi made to stand.

"No," Oikawa muttered. "If I'm doing this, I'm doing it alone. If you're there to hold me back, I might actually try to punch him."

He stalked away before Iwaizumi could argue.

Ushijima's gaze was still fixed on him as he approached the Durmstrang table.

Oikawa folded his arms. "You're staring at me."

Ushijima was calm as ever. "Yes."

"Why," Oikawa said-said, not demanded because he was being nice and bloody friendly.

Ushijima blinked at the tone which might possibly not have been as nice and friendly as Oikawa had meant it to be. "I meant no harm. I was merely curious. You said you were happy with your choice and I wanted to see if that was truly the case." The other teen looked infuriatingly dubious. "I'm afraid I still don't understand why."

Just one guy, Oikawa reminded himself and tried to breathe out even as he felt his fist trying to tighten.

"Can we talk," Oikawa asked in what Iwaizumi had labeled his blandly charming tone-it was the best he could do currently. "Clear the air."

Ushijima stood up, nodding to the rest of his table that had gone respectfully quiet.

"Hey, 'Toshi," said the annoying red haired guy Oikawa remembered from the exposition, "wait, I'll come with."

"It's fine, Tendou." Ushijima gave a brief smile. "I'll be back soon."

Benevolently, Oikawa didn't even smirk as he walked away, leading Ushijima to a lesser used hall a little away from the Great Hall.

He turned back to Ushijima. "So, I didn't mean to offend you or whatever by not going to your school. Sorry for-," Oikawa didn't have anything he was sorry about, "yeah, actually, that's it."

"I wasn't offended," Ushijima said simply.

"You seemed offended," Oikawa retorted before he could stop himself.

"I was not," Ushijima said. "Your choices, even ill considered ones, do not impact me particularly so I have no cause to be offended. The ill advised choices you made will only cost your own success as, I believe, they have already done so."

Oikawa narrowed his eyes. "Are you trying to piss me off? I honestly can't tell with you."

"No," Ushijima answered, seemingly truthful. "I was trying to help, actually. Knowing your own setbacks can help you rectify them in the future."

Oikawa blinked.

And, then, he breathed.

Then, he stared at Ushijima again.

Then, he took another few breaths before he felt he could reasonably speak without punching Ushijima in the face.

"Consider me informed," Oikawa said, forcing cheer into his voice. "Glad we have this business settled. Hope you have just a great year and good luck at the tournament. I'll be going now."

Oikawa twisted on his heel, readying to leave.

"Are you entering the tournament," Ushijima asked before he could leave.

Oikawa snorted, turning back despite himself. "Absolutely not."

Ushijima frowned and, then, his eyes flickered down to Oikawa's tie-the emerald green and silver showing prominently.

"Ah, I see," Ushijima said.

Oikawa's hands gripped tightly at his sides, a thick rush of anger sliding down his veins that he tried to push back.

"You really don't," he said, voice flat. "I'm not afraid to enter; I don't want to."

Ushijima looked like he didn't believe him.

"I'm sorry," he said and his face was sincere.

"Why," Oikawa demanded sharply.

"I'm sorry that whatever path you chose, you wouldn't be able to compete," Ushijima continued. "I believe that is a loss. You're clearly a great wizard, Oikawa, I would have appreciated the chance to compete against you. Unfortunately, you chose to remain at a school that will never appreciate your efforts, that would make you fear from even entering. And, even if you did come to Durmstrang, I still believe I would be selected as our school's champion over you." Ushijima frowned. "You may not believe me; but, I truly am sorry for you that there isn't a way for you to compete."

Oikawa was going to murder him. He felt it in the clench in his fists, tight enough for the bones to grind. He held in how rage was hissing like the sting of frost through his blood and his magic felt like it was coiling winter ice under his skin.

"Did you even listen to me?! I don't bloody want to compete," he said, quiet and cold. "Some of us have better things to do than jump through hoops on some piss poor excuse for school honor!"

Now, Ushijima looked offended and Oikawa was bitingly, viciously glad.

"Why would you not want to honor your country," Ushijima asked.

Oikawa tasted blood behind his teeth.

"Why would I?" He shouted back before he could even think.

Ushijima backed down immediately, nodding. "I understand. I'm sorry I did not think about how your situation would impact your wish to represent your school."

"That's not-Shut up!" Oikawa's heart was crashing into his chest and his words felt like venom he could bite into the one that caused it. "I didn't mean it like that! I love Hogwarts! You understand nothing! Do you hear me? Listen: nothing!"

Ushijima regarded him like he pitied him and Oikawa couldn't stand it.

"And quit bloody staring at me," Oikawa yelled and stalked away before he actually cursed him.

He had no way to know what his face looked like; but, he passed two seventh years as he walked and they went pale.

But, none of it mattered because Ushijima understood nothing, because he didn't see, and-

Oikawa wanted to tear his hair out or claw Ushijima's eyes out or-

He threw himself back into his seat hard enough that the wood protested.

His friends were looking at him cautiously.

"So, how'd it go," Suga asked.

Oikawa flicked out his wand and cast a Silencing Charm small enough to just cover himself. And, then, he yelled-putting every ounce of frustration he possibly had into it.

He dropped the Silencing Charm and smiled. At least four second years, a table away, shuddered.

"I hate him," Oikawa said with a hoarse throat.

ooooooo

"What was that all about," Semi demanded immediately once Ushijima sat back down at the table, "that guy was looking at you like you murdered his family pet and burned down his home."

Ushijima didn't answer the question, calmly resuming his earlier activity of slicing his food into even, proportionate bites-the activity aided greatly by his apparently lessened insistence on staring periodically across the Great Hall.

Like usual, Ushijima's taciturn nature was easily, if not exactly helpfully, rectified by his seat partner.

"Actually, you're pretty close, Semi-Semi," Tendou cheered. "Good job! Bonus points!"

Goshiki gaped. "Wait! Really?! Ushijima burned down that guy's house!"

Tendou nodded as Goshiki ate it up eagerly. "Of course, Ushijima's actually an arsonist." He swooned, falling onto Ushijima's shoulder. "Ah, darling, I just realized. It seems I've accidentally revealed your big secret. Forgive me!"

Ushijima gave him a small smile before nodding.

"You're an arsonist," Goshiki asked, wide-eyed.

"No," Ushijima answered.

Goshiki frowned. "Wait, but-"

"Tendou, stop messing with Goshiki," Shirabu said with a sigh. "It's too early."

Tendou stuck out his tongue.

Kawanisha pointed his fork over the table, still looking annoyed. "Yeah, yeah, so we've got Tendou's latest lie covered. But, seriously, who was that guy and what kind of problem could he even have with Ushijima? We've only been here a night!"

Tendou waved a hand dismissively. "He's completely unimportant, just some nobody that's mad because Ushijima rightfully pointed out his bad life decisions."

Ushijima's brow drew together and he paused, sitting down his utensils.

The group, way too in tune with what they had privately classified as major-Ushijima-gestures-to-take-notice-of, fell silent immediately.

"He's Tooru Oikawa," Ushijima said. "The first muggleborn Slytherin in a century, possibly even longer as no records have ever been recorded mentioning one. He was accepted to transfer to Durmstrang during our first year." He paused. "He didn't accept the offer."

The rest of the table exchanged a look.

"...Okay?" Semi frowned. "So, why is he mad at you?

Ushijima lifted his shoulders in a minute gesture that would have been a shrug on someone else. "I do not know. I merely pointed out to him that he chose to continue at an institution that was clearly unsuited for him and, in doing so, jeopardized any advancement he could have made and most likely permanently stunted his growth as a wizard."

The group's stare took on an edge of horror.

Tendou snickered.

"I believed I was being helpful," Ushijima added, maybe a tiny bit petulant as the stare continued.

Tendou's snicker turned into a full out cackle, pressing up to kiss Ushijima's cheek. "Ushiwaka, I love you! You know that, right?"

Ushijima nodded even as he continued to frown.

Kawanisha face palmed. "Ugh, you can't just say that! You can't just….just tell someone they stunted their own growth or whatever! No wonder that guy looked like he wanted to stab you with a fork!"

"I only said the truth," Ushijima said.

Ohira clasped his shoulder, offering him a reassuring smile. "I know. Maybe a little bit less of the truth next time."

Goshiki was still looking gobsmacked. "You really said all that?"

Ushijima nodded, going back to his meal. "I elaborated more fully, but yes."

Goshiki actually gasped, causing Shirabu to roll his eyes next to him.

"It's still a little bit surprising," Yamagata mused. The group turned to look at him and he shrugged. "Well, I mean we all know Ushijima says what he means. But, still, normally he doesn't bother offering his opinion unless someone's bothering him about it."

"It's not surprising," Ushijima answered.

"Why not," Shirabu asked.

Ushijima cast a short glance over at Oikawa's table.

"I don't like him," Ushijima said simply.

The entire group gaped.

Tendou slammed his hand down on the table. "Wait! Really?!"

Ushijima just nodded.

"Huh!" Tendou tapped his chin. "But, you never dislike anyone; that's my job. Wow, this is such a big moment, isn't it? I feel like I should make you a cake or something."

"A spite cake," Goshiki suggested excitedly.

Tendou snapped his fingers. "A spite cake! Good thinking, Goshiki, I'm making a spite cake to celebrate!"

Ohira ignored them, eyes instead on Ushijima. "Why not?"

"He's frustrating," Ushijima admitted. "And I don't understand why."

By now, Tendou had gotten over his excitement and was focused back.

"Don't understand what," he asked.

"He's a talented wizard," Ushijima said clearly. "No matter what school he chose, that would still be true. But this country, this school, is still a place that stifles muggleborns' abilities and allows it to squander. If the soil is too weak to grow in, then it doesn't matter how talented someone is. There's nothing more to be done."

Ushijima slid back his finished plate, reaching in his pocket and holding it up palm up.

At first, it looked like a rock, stringed through with a single chain of gold. It was only on closer look that it was recognizable as fossilized seed, rendered inert before it had ever sprouted.

"An excellent seed needs excellent soil. It can't yield anything on barren land and, if it is left with nothing, it will eventually rot," Ushijima continued. "Oikawa knows this. If not, he never would have applied to Durmstrang in the first place. But, for some reason, he chose to remain here. In a place where his talent would always eventually fall into ruin."

Ushijima took one last glance at the table before finally pocketing the seed.

"And that is unbelievably frustrating," he finished.

ooooooo

The Defense Against the Dark Arts' class and its new professor were met with a buzz of excitement, echoing around the whole school.

The fourth year Hufflepuff and Gryffindor class was the first ones lucky enough to actually see it.

"I heard," Inuoka whispered to Shibayama, "that Durmstrang's defense classes are so advanced, they don't even let seventh years graduate unless they can do at least some wordless magic."

"That's nothing," Koganegawa called out from behind them. "This is the Demon Coach we're talking about! He's got to know more about Quidditch than any one in the world! Why would we talk about Defense when there's Quidditch?"

"I doubt he'll be talking about Quidditch during class," Yamaguchi put in.

"Gah!" Hinata elbowed Kageyama. "What if he does, though? A whole class about Quidditch that would be…." He fumbled, trying to think of a word that inspired the right level of awe.

Kageyama nodded in agreement.

Yachi smiled. "But, probably not very helpful for our O.W.L.s next year."

Obara was spinning his wand through his fingers. "Who cares about the O.W.L.s when we're getting taught by the greatest Quidditch coach that ever lived?"

Kuribayashi, a small and usually shy Hufflepuff girl, spoke up, "I have a cousin that goes to Durmstrang. She says he's supposed to be really scary."

Sakunami rolled his eyes with a grin. "What? Compared to the last few years."

"...I guess that's true." Kuribayashi shrank back.

Yamaguchi smiled reassuringly at her and she offered a small smile in return.

"Kuribayashi's got a point," he said, drawing eyes to him. Yamaguchi shrugged. "I mean he is called the Demon Coach. He had to earn that name somehow, right?"

"An astute observation, Mr. Yamaguchi."

The entire class straightened in their seats as Headmaster Washijo walked into the classroom, hands held tightly behind a slightly hunched back as sharp eyes seemed to take in every movement.

"I take it if you have time for speculation, you're ready to start class," he said sharply as soon as he got to the front of the classroom. "Any questions before we begin?"

Koganegawa's hand shot into the air. "How did you figure out the Tutshill Tornadoes defense so fast during the semi-finals game?"

"Let me clarify, any useful questions," Washijo asked.

Hinata frowned. "What's useless about that question?"

Washijo's eyes flew to Hinata and stayed there.

Hinata didn't back down.

"You're Shouyou Hinata." Washijo did not frame the words like a question. "I've heard you've had an interesting time during your years at Hogwarts. I've heard that you've been attacked by two professors, locked behind a cave in by one, very nearly killed by the other, and were even subject to the Imperious Curse. Is that true?"

Hinata squirmed in his seat. "Um, yeah?"

"Tell me," Washijo said flatly, "how exactly was Quidditch useful to you then?"

Hinata didn't say anything.

"There's your answer." Washijo turned to the rest of the class. "Let me be very clear, Defense Against the Dark Arts is not a class that can be sat back on a shelf until you decide you're good and ready for it. It's a matter of life or death. The knowledge that in a split second decision, you have the ability to act. And I will not," his gaze flickered briefly to Koganegawa before landing back on Hinata, "tolerate anyone taking from other student's class time to pursue frivolous subject matters that should be had in free time," he paused, "if you're even so confident enough in your abilities to permit yourself free time. Understand?"

The class hurried to nod along.

"Good." Washijo stood in front of the desk. "As I understand your entire Defense instruction so far has been taught by someone either incompetent or homicidal. I'm not incompetent and only homicidal to those that deserve it, a category that school children rarely deserve." He swept his eyes across the room. "Unfortunately for you, I am only your teacher for a year and that's only because your bloody trollborne Headmaster has refused to recognize 'no' like any sane wizard could comprehend."

He sighed. "But, since I'm already here and only have a year to fix the rotten education you've received in this class prior, I've decided to make the most of it."

He snapped and, in an impressive display of wandless magic, a veritable mountain of books landed on each students' desk.

"Er," Yachi ducked her head out from around them, "what are these?"

"Class reading for the semester," Washijo said bluntly.

"Merlin," Inuoka swore, "there's over a dozen here! You can't really expect us to read all these, right?"

"Of course, I don't," Washijo said, waving his wand at the board where a set of additional readings had started to write itself-by the end, the list was just as long as Hinata was tall, "I expect many, possibly even most, of you will give up, will focus on your favorite sections or the ones you're most experienced with and give up the rest as a lost cause." He turned back to the class. "In other words, I expect most of you to fail."

The class was staring back with gaping mouths.

Washijo's expression didn't change. "Some of you, however, I expect will read just the right amount. Either that or get lucky. Those, I suspect, will have a reasonable chance of passing." He paused. "But, then others….maybe one of you, maybe none...who can ever tell….will do more. Will keep looking, keep digging deeper like a dog with a bone until the magic they learn isn't simply just a way of life, it's a way to breathe." He looked at the class impassively. "Those are the ones I suspect to succeed."

He looked briefly at Hinata. "And, frankly, from what I've seen so far, I'm not convinced any of you will reach that level."

Washijo finally moved around the desk corner and sat in his chair.

"You've been told that magic is an art, a skill that can be learned and mastered through hard work alone, determination that can make you the best," he said. "That is a lie. Some are born better at magic, more skilled-through a quirk of genetics or a family with enough money and power that they can hire the best tutors when they're all still in diapers. Whatever way, it doesn't really matter. They'll either succeed or someone better will come along to knock them down. Defense isn't about them. Magic isn't about victory."

His eyes were on the class; but, Hinata could still feel the gaze searing into his spine.

"Magic's about survival," Washijo said simply.

ooooooo

Asahi was pushed against the broom closet wall as Noya enthusiastically pulled him down to kiss him.

He was happily surprised to say that his plan to distract Noya was actually working pretty well, thank you very much.

There was just one thing.

"Noya, he's watching us."

"Huh," Noya paused in his quite admirable efforts at climbing Asahi like a tree. "No, it's fine. He's probably just sleeping."

Asahi stared past Noya's shoulder.

And, no, sitting on top of the shelf where Noya had placed him, Flumpy, was definitely looking at them and-for once- did not look like he was about to go to sleep.

"Noya," Asahi said.

"Just ignore him," Noya said and went right back to kissing him, threading his fingers gently though Asahi's hair and kissing him not very gently at all; but, in a way that was indeed very, very distracting.

Asahi gave up, hoisting Noya up in his arms and chasing the sudden intake of breath that echoed in his mouth.

Despite himself, he squinted open an eye.

Flumpy was still watching.

If anything, Flumpy had moved from watching to judging even if Asahi wasn't quite sure what that looked like on a flobberlump.

Noya was kissing under his ear and down his neck.

"Noya," Asahi whispered, a slight hitch in his breath, "he's still watching."

Noya sighed, detaching himself from Asahi long enough for his feet to hit the floor.

He walked over to Flumpy, picked him up, and made a show of turning him to face the other way.

Noya grinned. "There."

In a surprising move of motivation, Flumpy oozed back around.

"Mhhmm." Noya tilted his head. "Maybe he wants to go on a walk or something."

"Flumpy goes on walks," Asahi asked.

"...not usually," Noya admitted before clapping his hands together, "alright, let's just wait him out then. It's almost time for his pre-lunch nap anyway."

From experience, Asahi knew that this was different from Flumpy's mid-morning nap, his mid-day nap, his pre-afternoon nap, and his actual afternoon nap.

Once again, Asahi despaired their chances of actually keeping Noya and Tanaka interested in Flumpy long enough that they could find something else that worked.

Noya's smile went mischievous in a way that was either very good news for Asahi or quite bad news for everyone involved.

"So, Asahi," Noya began, coming closer and dragging out the name in a style that tilted the mischief in a decidedly good-for-Asahi kind of way, "gotta say pulling me away right after Potions, saying you wanted to talk and then dragging me off to abandoned broom closets to make out." He pouted. "That's supposed to be my job!"

"Sorry," Asahi mumbled quietly.

Noya laughed, sliding up next to him. "Oh, I'm definitely not complaining."

Asahi smiled, squeezing Noya's hand as the smaller teen just scooted in to lean against him. "I just wanted to see you, we haven't gotten a moment alone since….um…."

"Like yesterday," Noya snickered

"Er, yeah," Asahi said and tried not to squirm.

"So sneaky," Noya teased.

"Not sneaky, not sneaky at all," Asahi squeaked, the end going high enough that only dogs and werewolves could hear it.

Asahi fought against burying his face in his hands

He really was terrible at plans involving any kind of secrets, especially with Noya. Really, it was a miracle it had taken years and nobody had asked him anything even remotely close to werewolves or he'd probably have just melted into the floor.

Noya had his head against Asahi's chest and when he hummed Asahi could feel it through the fabric.

"You know, Asahi," Noya said casually, "if I didn't know better, I'd say you were trying to distract me."

Asahi went stiff.

Noya pulled back and stared at him.

Asahi was doomed.

"Wait," Noya grinned, "are you trying to distract me?"

Asahi didn't say anything.

Noya laughed. "From what?"

Daichi was going to kill him. And then Tsukishima would probably mock what was left.

"Nothing," Asahi panicked.

Noya nodded easily. "Yeah, I guess that makes sense. Wouldn't be very distracting if you told me about it, would it?"

Asahi moaned pathetically.

"Well, alright then." Noya looked up at him expectantly. "I'm ready."

"For...for what," Asahi asked hesitantly.

Noya's smile went wild. "For you to distract me, of course."

Asahi stared. "What?"

Noya walked them back until Asahi's back hit the wall and, then, he wound a hand in Asahi's tie to pull him back down until they were a few centimeters apart.

"Flumpy's asleep," Noya whispered.

Asahi looked over Noya's shoulder to see that Flumpy indeed had started to let out light snores.

"Oh," Asahi said.

"Distract me," Noya ordered, still grinning.

Asahi pulled him back up and complied.

Alright, so maybe he wasn't exactly terrible at this whole distraction thing.

Then, there was a knock on the broom closet and Tanaka pulled the door open, holding the map.

"Noya, come on," he called out, utterly ignoring Asahi's wide eyes and how Noya's hand was still pulling at Asahi's tie, "I need you for something."

"Kind of busy," Noya called back. "I'm being distracted!"

"It's important," Tanaka said seriously.

Noya sighed, unwrapping himself from Asahi's frame and patting the tie back against his chest as if that would really help how it was hopelessly crumpled.

"Gotta go," he told Asahi before pointing a finger up at him, looking earnest. "But, I am fully expecting to be distracted later, Azumane. Understand?"

Asahi was fairly sure his cheeks were a bright red but he nodded anyway, smile going a little bit sappy.

Noya headed off to the door.

"Wait," Asahi called after him, "what about Flumpy?"

Noya blinked. "Oh, yeah! Hey, I'd rather not wake him up from his nap. Would you mind watching him for a bit?"

"S-sure," Asahi agreed, a new terror freezing up his lungs.

"You're the best!" Noya shut the door.

Asahi stared at Flumpy in mute horror.

That was only a quarter of Noya's usual enthusiasm for any and all creatures.

Which meant Noya was already thinking about something else.

Which meant…..they may already be too late.

Asahi sunk to the floor and gave into groaning.

His friends were going to kill him.

ooooooo

Noya kept pace with Tanaka. "What's so important?"

"One second," Tanaka said, waiting until Noya was back in their dorm room before shutting the door behind him.

He unlocked Noya's trunk, spreading out the files before he stopped, looking up. "Wait, crap, where's Ennoshita?"

"We're good," Noya said, sitting cross legged beside him, "saw him in the library, working on the Transfiguration essay."

"We have a Transfiguration essay?"

"...um, I think?" Noya shrugged.

"Whatever," Tanaka dismissed the thought. "This is more important! I figured out how we can get the cell layout and write ups."

"How," Noya asked, immediately straightening.

"The Ministry!" Tanaka's eyes lit up. "Azkaban keeps files and stuff at the Ministry, right? They have to! It's not like any of the Aurors are popping over to Azkaban every time they need a file or something, yeah? Which means….," he grinned, "if we find someone in the Ministry, they can get copies of the files for us."

Noya frowned. "How do we do that?"

"Noya, I think we need to tell your Aunt Yuka," Tanaka said bluntly.

"What?"

"It'll work," Tanaka reassured. "She's awesome! She'll totally keep it a secret once we explain everything, right?"

"Um," Noya was still frowning, "I don't know-maybe. She's kind of picky about being smart about dangerous stuff so….," he waved the thought anyway, "But, bro, that's not the point. Aunt Yuka just advises the Ministry on stuff; she doesn't have access to their files." He snorted. "Trust me, if she did, there'd be a lot more open cases on creature protection."

Tanaka slumped. "Can she, I don't know, ask for them or something?"

Noya shook his head. "I don't think so. I mean it's Azkaban,right? They've gotta be pretty secure with giving it out to non-Ministry people, yeah?"

Tanaka groaned, falling back on the floor.

"So, we're stuck," Tanaka said, staring emotionless up at the ceiling. "Again."

Noya scooted closer, trying to nudge his shoulder. "No, this is a good idea, bro. It can still work! We know the Ministry probably has something. Now, we just gotta find someone to help us."

"Who," Tanaka said flatly. He dragged a hand down his face. "We need help."

Noya winced. "Maybe-"

A knock on the door cut them off.

Tanaka's eyes went wide. "I thought Ennoshita was studying!"

"He was!" Noya shouted back. "Hide the stuff!"

They scrambled to the floor, grabbing at papers wildly just as the door swung open.

"SURPRISE!" A woman's voice rang out. "GUESS WHO THE TOURNAMENT HIRED!"

And, then, the woman focused, smile falling quickly as she picked up a news clipping covered in red lined words and a single symbol.

Her face went deathly pale.

"Ryu," Saeko Tanaka stared down at her brother, "what is this?"

ooooooo

"Ack!"

The Quaffle skimmed past Hinata's fingers to slam right in the center of his face.

Hinata fell off his broom, falling the few feet to hit the ground hard. The Quaffle came to a rest beside him.

He rubbed at his nose before standing up again and remounting his broom.

He threw the Quaffle again, as hard as he could, and watched it soar to the back of the new stands, hit the Protego Charm he'd set up, and redirect right back at him.

He dove down for the Quaffle, his fingers just skimming over the surface as the Quaffle soared by and landed a few meters behind.

Hinata's mouth firmed before he dove back to the ground, picked up the Quaffle and threw it again.

On the other side of the new stands, the new Quidditch teams were practicing for the week. They'd split up the field so the Saturday teams could practice Monday and Wednesday while the Sunday teams got Tuesday and Thursday. Friday was reserved for open practice.

Kageyama and Hinata were playing Sunday-together once again.

It was Wednesday, not their day on the field.

Hinata wanted to practice anyway.

So, here he was, on the unused part right off the field. He overextended his arm and the next throw whacked into his shoulder and fell behind him before Hinata could readjust to catch it.

Hinata paused, breathing in once again and trying to focus.

What have you been doing the last three years?

Hinata shook his head.

Focus. He could do this.

He just had to keep trying.

He picked up the Quaffle and threw it.

Almost. It hit his hand; but, he couldn't wrap his fingers around it fast enough to keep it from falling.

He threw it again.

Another hit, this time to the arm.

He threw it again.

Almost. No yet, he stumbled on his broom in trying to catch it.

He threw it again.

A new hand shot out before the Quaffle could hit the Protego Charm and then, the Quaffle was soaring over Hinata's head, way overreached from what he was expecting.

Hinata dove, skimming on the ground and accelerating fast.

The Quaffle still fell before he could reach it.

"Hey! You're actually pretty fast, aren't you?"

Hinata jerked his head back to find that the new hand was actually attached to a new person and the short Beauxbatons guy with shockingly white hair was looking back at him.

The boy grinned. "I'm still faster, though!"

Hinata landed with his broom, walking to stand in front of the new guy and taking him in.

The boy's grin widened, eyes sharpening in a challenge that Hinata had always had trouble not meeting.

"How fast are you," Hinata asked.

"Twenty five meters per second," the boy said proudly. "And that's my average!"

Hinata's jaw dropped. "No way."

"Totally!" The boy crowed, momentarily dropping their staring match in favor of a new competition. "I'm the best broom racer in France! Probably the best broom racer ever! No one can beat me in the air!"

"Seriously?!" Hinata's eyes shone.

"Yeah! What you don't believe me," the boy pressed excitedly.

Hinata blinked. "What, no, I-"

The boy puffed out his chest. "It's okay! A lot of people don't believe me! That's why it's the best feeling ever to see their faces when they see how scary I am on a broom!"

"I believe you," Hinata said immediately.

Strangely, the boy deflated. "Wait? What? Really?"

"Yeah!"

"Oh," the boy narrowed his eyes in consideration, "but still not like really believe me, right? Like you'd still be surprised if you actually saw it, yeah?"

Hinata hesitated. "I guess?"

"Huh," he scratched at his head. "Okay, that's alright then. It's probably just 'cause you're short like me." He bounced up on his feet, pressing forward. "People underestimate short people all the time and then, we get to watch their faces when they learn in the air, it doesn't matter who's taller!" His eyes focused. "Oh, wait! Crap! I forgot to ask for your name! Merlin, I always forget-"

"Shouyou Hinata." Hinata stuck his hand out.

The boy beamed. "Korai Hoshiumi!"

"Oooh!" Hinata gripped the hand. "I've heard of you!"

Hoshiumi brightened ever further. "Really?"

"From the World Cup!" Hinata shouted.

"Yeah!" Hoshiumi shouted right back. "From the expedition?! Were you watching? Did you see the turn I did? It was awesome, right? And it totally left Gao in the dust! And his face was like-"

"I didn't see it," Hinata interrupted. "But, I read about it! Broom racing sounds so cool!"

"It is!" Hoshiumi nodded eagerly. "Everyone thinks it's all about speed which it kinda is because speed's the best part. But, it's also about turns and the hurdles and knocking past people! You gotta be good at all of it! Then, it's the best thing ever!"

"Quidditch is the best thing," Hinata argued loyally.

"Huh?" Hoshiumi looked between the Quaffle and the Protego Charm. "But, I was watching. You suck at it! You'd be better at racing!"

Hinata blushed red.

"Hey, it's fine." Hoshiumi waved the concern away. "I suck at Quidditch, too. Last time I played, I sort of broke Sakusa's nose and almost knocked Kita off his broom. It's alright, though, broom racing's more awesome anyway."

Hinata slumped, still holding the Quaffle. "I don't normally suck. I just suck right now; that's why I'm working on getting better."

"Eh? How can you suck now but not normally," Hoshiumi asked.

Hinata grimaced. "I normally play with my teammate. He's like….like scary good at tosses; but, that's fine because I'm good at speed and dodging so, normally, he just kind of….gets the Quaffle to me." He rubbed the back of his head, unsure how to explain it. "But, when it's just me or the other Chasers, I can't catch it." He gestured to the Protego Charm. "That's why I'm working on it."

Hoshiumi nodded, considering again.

"Well, then, it sounds to me like you still suck," he said bluntly.

Hinata frowned. "What?"

"It's like broom racing," Hoshiumi said, nodding along now. "Like you've only got the speed, right? But, that's just one thing even if it's an awesome thing. There's a bunch of other stuff, too." He paused. "But, if you're still counting on that other guy for the rest of the stuff, then you're still not really that good on your own. Make sense?"

What have you been doing the last three years?

"...oh," Hinata said quietly.

"Like I said, it's fine, though." Hoshiumi sat down and Hinata followed the motion numbly. "Now, you just gotta get better at everything else. Then, you won't suck."

"How," Hinata asked.

Hoshiumi shrugged. "I don't know. I told you I'm bad at Quidditch."

Hinata looked down, eyes focused on the Quaffle in his hands and trying to ignore the twist in his stomach. He felt like he couldn't breathe.

"Or find something else, I guess," Hoshiumi continued.

How exactly was Quidditch useful to you then?

Hinata flinched.

Hoshiumi watched him. "Wait, that was too harsh, wasn't it? Shoot, sorry, Hirugami always says I need to watch how I say stuff because I can be too blunt and sometimes people don't like that so-"

"It's alright," Hinata said and tried for a smile.

"Ugh, it's not! Now, you're all upset, crap." Hoshiumi pulled at his hair, accidentally whacking at the stands behind them until a bat that was resting there fluttered its wings and hissed in reproach.

"Okay," Hoshiumi blew out a breath, "you know that feeling when you're flying and the world goes really quiet but also like really bright, too, and you can finally focus and it's….it's amazing, yeah? Like something settles in your chest and you don't even need to speak."

Hinata nods.

"But, that only comes when you're strong," Hoshiumi said. "And once you find it, you gotta chase that feeling forever. But if you only get it sometimes, then, it's like…." he rubbed at his hand, "like an itch or something, like a rash and you can't even get rid of it and it sucks."

Hinata stared at him, the bruises on his shoulders aching and his hands empty.

"Ugh, so, what I'm trying to say is," Hoshiumi drew in his shoulders, seeming frustrated, "I know how you feel."

"You're a great flyer," Hinata protested.

"Well, duh." Hoshiumi accepted the praise as his due. "This isn't about flying."

"What?" Hinata looked towards his own broom.

"Ack, I mean yeah, it's about your flying but that's not what I'm-." Hoshiumi groaned. "Sorry, I'm bad at this."

."It's…..um, okay," Hinata said, unsure.

Hoshiumi still looked frustrated, trying to find the words. "What I mean is I know how you feel even if it's not about my flying." He sighed. "I've always known they would say I was weak, that's why I needed to be strong."

Hinata blinked. "Huh?"

Hoshiumi looked chagrined suddenly, checking that no one was around before he looked back at Hinata. "Screw it. Look, can you keep a secret?"

"Yeah," Hinata said hesitantly.

"But, like really, really keep a secret," Hoshiumi demanded, "like the kind where you never, ever tell anyone even if they beg you and say you gotta."

Hinata thought about basilisks and werewolves and diaries and prophets and the fact that Lev accidentally ate Yachi's favorite candy yesterday.

"Yes," he said. "I don't tell secrets that aren't mine."

"Okay," Hoshiumi blushed red, "this is probably a really bad idea. I haven't even told anyone at my school yet. And, hey, you're not one of those stupid blood purist, are you?"

"I'm a muggleborn." Hinata frowned.

"Oh!" Hoshiumi brightened. "Really? That's awesome! And you're, like, open about it and stuff?"

"Yeah," Hinata said cautiously.

"My country's weird." Hoshiumi waved a hand absently, talking even faster as he tried to get through whatever he was trying to explain. "Too many of the purebloods and the Ghosts sympathizers moved there after the war. But….well I mean it's not like anybody wanted a war like Britain, though, so everyone just….stayed quiet, I guess? It's tense and like super stupid, like everyone's trying to hide something even when they're not. At least here it feels like everyone knows everybody so no one even bothers hiding."

He hesitated, lowering his voice. "A lot of the muggleborns at Beauxbatons don't really talk about blood status-I think there's some special courses they take in first year to catch up. I'm not really sure, no one says anything."

"Really?" Hinata had never particularly thought about how other schools treated muggleborns. "Are you a muggleborn?"

"Um, I'm a halfblood, actually. Dad's a muggle; but, Mom came from a big pureblood family." He leaned in. "This is the part that you can't tell anyone, okay?"

Hinata nodded.

"My mom's a squib," Hoshiumi said quietly, eyes dating quickly around to make sure no one could hear. "Her parents let her keep the family name; but, disowned her when she didn't get her letter and sent her to the Muggle world."

Hinata's eyes widened.

Hoshiumi shuffled awkwardly. "So, yeah, that's where she met my dad and had my brother and he doesn't have any magic either. And, then, there's me and I….I took after Mom's side, I guess." He gave a small smile before he shrugged. "No one really asks about it because I took my mom's family name; but, I was raised Muggle."

"You haven't told anyone," Hinata asked.

Hoshiumi shook his head. "Never, you don't know who's going to be weird about it, you know?" He gave a lopsided grin. "I'm kind of lucky, though. Mom told me what she could remember and, then, everyone thinks I'm strange already so they don't really pay attention when I ask crazy questions."

Hinata stared at him and Hoshiumi waved away the next questions.

"Anyway, that's what I'm trying to say," Hoshiumi said, straightening up. "Even if you're at a disadvantage, you're not helpless. You can't let yourself be. You have to get better."

Hinata watched him, eyes wide.

"That's my real secret," Hoshiumi said. "I'm not going to hide forever. I'm not ashamed. One day I'm going to be good at everything, the best wizard anyone's ever seen! And, then, I'm going to tell the world and bring my family to watch."

He winked at Hinata and stood up.

"That's the best part." Hoshiumi's grin sharpened. "Because one day everyone's going to say I'm amazing and they're not going to say it because I'm short or because I was raised Muggle. They're just going to say I'm amazing. And I want to see the look on their faces when they see me then."

Hoshiumi's eyes were a bright gold. "I want the surprise."

ooooooo

A/N:I'm back! Hope everyone had an awesome two weeks and that ya'll enjoyed the chaos that is Hoshiumi. Love that boy, I swear. As always, thanks to everyone for all your support! Ya'll are the best! And, guys, the manga is over. I sob even as I loved it.

Next Chapter: A Tall Wall
Post Date: Aug. 8-9

Please check out this awesome Suga moodboard. I love it; I've stared at it for so long: post/620030226554028032/slytherin-sugawara