A/N: Warning for fantasy prejudiced language in the first scene (if you want to skip from "He gave Iwaizumi a smirk and Iwaizumi rolled his eyes before he could even say anything." to the end of the scene-the "-" mark)

ooooooo

"Look! Iwa-chan, why aren't you looking?" Oikawa prodded at his shoulder, all but hanging off him. "Look, that's me! It's the front page, Iwa-chan! I'm on the front page!"

"Yeah, I know." Iwaizumi rolled his eyes. "You've been talking about it since yesterday. I think I could quote the bloody article by now."

Oikawa stuck his tongue out. "Don't be jealous, Iwa-chan, I'm sure you'll be on the front page one day or….well, maybe I can drag you along when I become rich and famous. That'll work, right?"

Iwaizumi snorted, shoving a plate at him. "Just eat your breakfast, we've got class. Unless you're too rich and famous for class now."

"No, not yet." He winked, but obediently started shoveling down food-even the different tastes of the Wizarding World and the weirdness of pumpkin juice couldn't phase him this morning.

There was one thing, though.

"...hey," he lowered his voice, "have you gotten anything from Tobio-chan yet?"

Iwaizumi looked at him. "Oikawa, we share an owl. If you haven't seen any mail, then I haven't either."

"Right, yeah," Oikawa attempted to wave it off, "I mean it's just….he should've seen the paper by now. I sent him a letter so he knew to look for it. It's….well, isn't it odd we haven't heard anything?"

"The paper just came out yesterday, Oikawa, give it time."

Oikawa nodded, picking back down at his food.

Only….it was only that they'd barely gotten any letters from Tobio-chan since school had started. And, sure, the kid wasn't the most talkative person-by letter or in person. But….

Oikawa couldn't help the feeling that something seemed different.

Inevitably, he glanced back down to the paper, laying on the table like a statement with big bold words on the front: "A New Age for Magical Britain". And under it, a picture of Oikawa himself, grinning and waving at the camera.

The real Oikawa gave a small smile.

It was alright. Everything was turning out fine, he just had to wait.

Two familiar faces fell in at the other side of the table and Oikawa moved his plate back instinctively. "If you two prank my breakfast again, I'm hexing you blue!"

Matsu gasped, giving a fake innocent look that Oikawa did not believe at all.

"I'm hurt by these deeply suspicious accusations." Makki shook his head. "And here we are roommates, the most trusted bond of all time!"

Iwaizumi and Oikawa both, simultaneously, moved both of their plates and cups further out of Makki and Matsu's reach.

The innocent look on Matsu's face broke, spreading out into a wide grin. "Awww, look at that, Makki, they learn so quick!"

"Well, what can we expect from the 'new age of magic' over here," Makki said and Oikawa knew they were teasing, but he preened on reflex anyway.

Then, he blinked, looking around again. "Suga skipping breakfast again?"

"Oh, I'm sure he grabbed something earlier." Matsu shrugged. "Think he was heading to the library. Not exactly the most social butterfly, is he? Our dear Sugawara."

"I think he's just shy," Makki said before pausing, "not that I can really blame him. Gotta be hard to talk to people with all the…." he waved vaguely, "the rest of the Sugawara stuff."

Oikawa frowned. "What stuff?"

"It's not important," Matsu said quickly, too quickly.

"Yeah, forget I said anything." Makki grinned. "Point is he'll probably get used to us….just, um, eventually."

Oikawa narrowed his eyes. "Really, what is it?"

"Hey, look, it's your face." Matsu grabbed the paper and shoved him toward him. "Let's talk about that! I don't think I've heard enough about it in-"

"Practically every second since it came out," Makki finished.

"Exactly," Makki paused "hey, you do remember they come out with new papers every day, right?"

"Speaking of." Makki leaned back as the morning flurry of owls besieged the Great Hall.

Oikawa perked up, looking for the dark tawny feathers that marked his and Iwaizumi's owl.

He spotted her only when she swooped gracefully down to Iwaizumi, holding out her leg with a small note bearing the familiar lettering of Iwaizumi's mother.

Oikawa tried not to be disappointed. Tobio probably was just….going through multiple drafts to make sure his letter was perfect. There, that was it. It didn't matter that Tobio had never really seemed to care that much about picking his words before.

The owl gave a small hoot and Oikawa gladly handed over some of his breakfast.

"Lady likes me better," Oikawa confirmed smugly.

"That's because you spoil her," Iwaizumi muttered. "Mom says congrats about the article, by the way. Apparently she's got it hanging up on the fridge."

Oikawa beamed, scratching around the owl's neck. "You hear that, Lady. I'm basically a celebrity which means you're a celebrity owl now!"

Lady reacted by scooting in closer to nuzzle at his hand, further proving to Oikawa that he was definitely the favorite here.

He gave Iwaizumi a smirk and Iwaizumi rolled his eyes before he could even say anything.

The new Daily Prophet landed in the center of the table with a small red letter almost hidden between the pages.

Oikawa grabbed it when he saw his name. "Hey, we got another one. From who?"

"Huh," Makki glanced lazily up from the Prophet before frowning, "that….hey, that almost looks like a-"

"Don't open it!" Matsu yelled, launching himself over the table and grabbing for the letter.

Oikawa had already broken the seal as the letter crumpled into the rough form of a mouth

A strident woman's voice rang out deafeningly.

"HOW DARE YOU?! DO WE HAVE NO STANDARDS ANY MORE! NO SENSE OF HISTORY! OF TRADITION! HOW DARE A MUDBLOOD LIKE YOU EVEN CONSIDER SHOWING HIS FACE IN THE MOST NOBLE OF HOUSES! YOU SHOULD BE EXPELLED, HAVE YOUR WAND BROKEN! HOW LOW HAS HOGWARTS BEEN BROUGHT TO ACCEPT A FILTHY-"

A spark of blue hit the letter smack in the center and it fluttered back to the table, inert. Professor Ukai lowered his wand behind it.

The Great Hall was silent, not even a rustle of silverware.

And every single eye was focused on where Oikawa sat, shocked still in the middle of it.

And, then, the whispering started.

"You alright, kid?" Professor Ukai's hand reached out to his shoulder before apparently thinking better of it and dropping awkwardly to his side. "Howlers are a nasty business."

Oikawa didn't answer.

He focused instead on keeping his face blank and staring ahead, not looking down at the crumpled letter.

He was trying very hard not to seem like he would cry.

ooooooo

Oikawa was feeling very smug. "Am I a genius or am I a genius? Actually, scratch that, no need to answer. The evidence is overwhelming."

Kuroo rolled his eyes. "You're really proud of this one, aren't you?"

"Look at this!" Oikawa shoved the paper forward. "And the front page! Ha!"

In big bold letters, the front page read "Tooru Oikawa Declares Triwizard Championship 'Muggleborn Victory'."

Oikawa grinned. "That'll really pissed them off!"

Bokuto frowned. "You think so?"

"Yep!" Oikawa nodded, looking around and waving cheerfully at the sudden influx of glares he'd been getting since the paper was released that morning. He cackled. "You think it's actually possible to explode from anger? Blood rushing, magic going haywire. Asking purely for science, you know."

"I'm sure if it was, you'd have caused it by now," Iwaizumi said.

Oikawa beamed. "Awww, Iwa-chan, that's so sweet!"

"Are you sure this is a good idea," Suga asked quietly. "I just mean, well, they were already annoyed. Is it really safe to actively make it worse."

"Well, it sure is fun," Oikawa said cheerfully.

Iwaizumi gave him a look. "Oikawa…."

"Relax," Oikawa waved it off. "I do, in fact, have a plan. Besides," he grinned at Suga, "it's like you said, yeah? People see what they want to see. If the stupid pureblood extremist want to see me as some all powerful muggleborn bent on tearing down their stupid traditions, then I might as well deliver, right?"

"Dad's thrilled," Kuroo commented offhandedly, "this is the best press the Ministry's had with muggleborns in ages."

Oikawa snorted. "As far as I care, the Ministry and the Prophet can go take their wands and stick them-"

"THERE HE IS!"

Makki and Matsu both fell in on either of his sides, arms wrapping around him.

The rest of the table instinctively moved back their food and drinks.

Makki scoffed. "Oh, come on, still! We'd never do the same prank twice!"

Two tables away, a pumpkin juice exploded to utter chaos.

"...to the same person," Matsu finished, wrapping his arms tighter around Oikawa. "We just wanted to tell you how proud we are!"

Oikawa turned pale. "Oh Merlin, what have I done?"

"After all these years around us, you've finally learned the true joys of causing total havoc." He wiped away a fake tear. "Matsu, he's all grown up now."

"Hey," Bokuto pouted, "no fair, it wasn't you guys! If anything, it's us! We've caused way more panic than this before! He got it from us!"

Iwaizumi buried his face in his hands. "Please don't fight for us on this."

"Ah, but your havoc is incidental, this chaos was premeditated." Matsu kissed Oikawa on the forehead with a loud smack. "I've truly never been prouder to be your roommate!"

"Ew!" Oikawa wiped at his forehead. "I feel like I'm going to catch something."

Somewhere in the Hall, there was the sound of another few explosions followed by screams.

"And that's our cue." Matsu stood up.

Makki pinched Oikawa's cheek. "Don't do anything we wouldn't do."

"Or do anything anyone else would," Makki added before they both fled happily, a few steps ahead of where Professor Takinoue had started to chase them down.

"I think….," Oikawa paused, "I think I've just been cursed."

Iwaizumi nodded solemnly. "Anything Matsu and Makki approve of can't end well."

"Meh, fame's fickle." Oikawa shrugged it off, smiling back down at the paper. "It'll turn bad soon anyway. Least I'm expecting it."

Kuroo frowned. "Wait, what does that mean?"

Oikawa just hummed vaguely.

Iwaizumi raised a brow. "Nice try, seriously what-"

There was a small cough and, then, the sound of giggles. They looked up to find a very pretty fifth year smiling at Oikawa, surrounded by her friends a few steps back.

"Oh, come on, again," Kuroo complained, only barely keeping it at a whisper.

Oikawa winked. "And that's my cue. See ya."

And, then, he was gone, strolling casually up to the table and smiling back.

"Ugh, that's what? The seventh time that's happened this month." Kuroo moaned. "Like his head's not big enough."

Suga laughed. "It's not like it'll last too long. They just want to be a champion's date for Yule Ball. He knows that."

At that, Bokuto's head thunked down hard. "The Yule Ball."

"Still no luck with the dinner date," Suga asked.

"No," Bokuto looked up with large eyes not unlike a sad puppy, "I keep trying, but then the words never seem to come out quite like I mean and, then, Akaashi….well, like he's Keiji, so he's wonderful and awesome, duh….but he doesn't get that I'm trying to ask him out and then…." he laid his head back on the table, "I'm going to be alone foreeeeeever."

"Hey, come on," Kuroo poked his shoulder. "No, you're not! I'll help you again!"

Bokuto blinked. "Um."

"Or I can," Suga said quickly before thinking. "...only, not today. Sorry, I've actually got a date with Daichi in a bit."

Kuroo winced. "And I'm studying with Kenma. Which," he glanced at his watch, "I should probably grab my books for."

Suga glanced at his own watch and grimaced. "Me, too. Sorry again." He looked at Bokuto firmly. "But, we can definitely help. Just, um, later."

"Or Iwaizumi can help." Kuroo stood up. "Or maybe Oikawa if you get desperate."

"We can talk about it at dinner," Suga offered, grabbing his bag and trying not to look like he was hurrying. "The point is you're definitely not going to be alone forever. I promise."

"Exactly." Kuroo squeezed his shoulder. "So...we good?"

Bokuto gave a lopsided sort of smile. "Yeah, I'm fine; you guys can go on your dates."

"Studying," Kuroo corrected on reflex.

Iwaizumi snorted. "Sure."

Then, the table finally dwindled from five to two.

Bokuto grinned at Iwaizumi. "You're still with me, right?"

"Sure," Iwaizumi said. "Don't know how good I'll be at romance though."

"Oh, yeah." Bokuto tilted his head. "Hey, Iwaizumi, I guess I never really thought about it. I like Akaashi, who's amazing, of course. And Kuroo's got Kenma and Suga's got Daichi and Oikawa's got….well, someone. But, what about you? Do you like anyone?"

Iwaizumi stopped, unsure why the question made him suddenly uncomfortable. There was the creeping realization that he just kind of….didn't. Sure, there were plenty of girls he kinda thought were pretty to look at and had nice hair or cute smiles and he didn't think he would mind going on a date with them. But, as for a girl he thought about like Suga talked about Daichi or even Kuroo talked about Kenma sometimes, someone that he could sort of see planning a life around….

Iwaizumi couldn't think of anyone.

Between whatever his friends were working on and making sure Oikawa wasn't doing anything too stupid, Iwaizumi had felt like his life was pretty full already.

Then, why did the question make him feel like he was forgetting something-or maybe like there was something he wanted and he'd just realized he didn't quite have it. What was left behind felt strangely yearning.

Bokuto was still watching him. "Iwaizumi?"

Iwaizumi shook the weird feeling off.

"Nah," he shrugged, "there's no one in particular. Don't worry about it."

ooooooo

A dark shadow loomed over Tendou. He adored said shadow.

His smile stretched wide, already turning away from his breakfast. "Yes?"

"I would like your assistance," Ushijima said calmly. "Come with me to the spare Charms room on the second floor?"

Tendou raised an eyebrow. "Ooooh, Ushiwaka, a private empty classroom, on a weekend, only the two of us. Sound scandalous."

Ushijima blinked. "...It is not."

"Can I at least pretend?" Tendou stood and linked arms with his boyfriend, leaning against him.

Ushijima considered. "If you'd like."

Too cute, Tendou bit back a grin. "So will our illicit classroom randevu feature?"

"I need your help practicing dueling."

"Couldn't even try to make that a euphemism, could ya," Tendou teased before sighing. "Fine, fine, lead me away. Guys these days, only want you for your dueling."

"Not true," Ushijima said and his tone was just a microscopic bit softer in a way that only Tendou could hear.

His smile grew. "Don't think I'm going easy on you just cause you got a pretty face."

Ushijima looked offended by the very suggestion.

It was quick work to get to the Charm's classroom-most classrooms were open to study over the weekend-but, then, knowing the orderly nature of Ushijima, Tendou was betting he'd even checked with Washijo beforehand.

Which gave Tendou a very fun idea, actually. And who was he to deny himself some fun?

They moved together, working from long hours of practice, to set up the boundary lines and the normal protection charms.

"Ready," Tendou asked.

Ushijima nodded and bowed, just like he always did. Like this was a professional dual instead of two teenagers messing around in an empty class.

Ushiwaka really was just too sweet sometimes.

Tendou grinned, dipping his head in return.

Then, Ushijima's wand flicked up and the duel began.

"Incarcerous-Ventus-Expelliarmus," Tendou moved his wand fluidly, chaining spells as soon as the movement finished. Ushijima pulled his wand up barely a second before getting hit and the spells shook off it uselessly. No matter. Tendou aimed at the ground instead. "Vesuvius."

The stone below started shaking and Ushijima frowned, also moving to the ground and wand flicking to the countercurse.

Tendou smiled pleasantly. "Vulcano Magmanimus."

Lava started to pour out of the cracks, gradually expanding and limiting Ushijima's movements.

Tendou breathed heavily, directing more magic into the spell even as he wiped his brow. "Getting hot?"

The lava cooled under a glacial spell barely a second later and Ushijima was moving, not wasting time with wand movement. "Crescere."

Vines shot up from the ground, moving to wrap around his limbs and Tendou tsked, sending out quick slicing charms to stop them in their tracks.

Really, the wandless magic thing did make guessing things rather trickier.

Unfortunately for both of them, Ushijima tended to be an open book. At least to Tendou.

"You used that one before," Tendou commented. "At the exhibition. They'll be expecting it."

Ushijima frowned. "I understand."

His next spell was a freezing charm, fired off immediately before a fire jinx to make countering more difficult; but, Tendou had already guessed both.

He redirected both easily, causing Ushijima to pull back up with a shield.

The shield was strong. All of Ushijima's spells were strong.

Tendou watched carefully.

Strength alone didn't win a match, even Washijo agreed with that. It was how strength was used.

Ushijima began to move in closer, circling and Tendou let him.

"Incarcero," he said easily and Ushijima blocked it only to follow up with a simple jinx that knocked Tendou back against the wall.

"Ooof!" Tendou held up his hands. "You got me with that one!"

Ushijima stepped closer, all but blocking Tendou against the wall as he scanned him, looking confused. Tendou smiled innocently back. It didn't quite work. Sue him, he'd never been great at innocent.

Ushijima frowned at him. "You let me win."

"Did I?" Tendou tilts his head, smirking. "Because from where I'm standing, it looks like I've got my very attractive and oh so strong boyfriend pinning me to a wall which makes it feel like I've won."

Ushijima huffs as if his neck hasn't gone adorably pink. "Don't let me win. It has no point."

Tendou stretched on his toes. "And is training really what you want right now, my dear Waka-chan. Hmm?"

Ushijima stared at him, unmoved.

Tendou sighed, tilting his wand slightly. "Fine. Bombarda."

There's a boom loud enough to rock the floor and Ushijima is blown back, tripping against the edges of the duel lines and landing flat on his back.

Tendou grinned, sauntering over to his boyfriend and crouching down to blow him a kiss. "There. Happy now?"

Ushijima blinked, catching his breath. "That was cheating. The duel had already ended."

Tendou cocked his head. "Had it? I don't remember yielding or being knocked out of bounds."

Ushijima looked like he was considering the argument before his lips turned down all of a millimetre in what Tendou recognized as his version of pouting.

Tendou laughed, sticking a hand out to help him up. "See, I am helping you, Wakatoshi. You're too noble. Still think everyone's going to play straight and by the books. They won't." His smile twisted down. "And, especially not Tooru Oikawa."

He skipped back and readied his wand. Across the room, Ushijima did the same, bowing again.

Adorable. But, Tendou already warned him he wasn't going easy.

He smirked.

Who needed date nights?

ooooooo

Hidden between the shadows of bookshelves, almost invisible in the light of the afternoon, sat Kenma tucked in behind a book.

Kuroo leaned against the shelf and just watched him.

There was something utterly fascinating about watching Kenma, the one who was normally so focused on watching everyone else. There was an intrinsic kind of grace there-Kuroo couldn't describe it, couldn't begin to name it if asked-it was something to do with the way the color in Kenma's hair shifted while he focused, the way he could stay still and steady like a statue in a way that Kuroo had never seen anyone manage before.

Merlin, maybe it was none of those.

Maybe it was just that Kuroo thought he was beautiful.

He smiled lazily, tasting butterscotch on the tip of his tongue. "Hey."

"You're late." Kenma didn't bother looking up.

"I got lost," Kuroo complained, folding himself down in the seat across from him. "Did you have to choose the most out of sight place in the entire library? I thought I'd never find you."

That was a lie, of course, and they both knew it.

Even not counting point me charms and finding charms, Kuroo felt like he could always know when Kenma was there. Like there was a part of his mind always tuned it to the specific sense he subconsciously recognized as Kenma.

He liked that thought, actually.

It made it seem that there was some kind of invisible bond there, hidden and protected from everyone else but them.

Kenma's expression was flat. "You're not studying."

"I'm being distracted," Kuroo told him. "Geeze, Kenma, you should take some responsibility for being the distracting one here."

Kenma shook his head, cheeks coloring for half a second before he corrected it. "You're being silly again."

"And you're being beautiful," Kuroo said. "The nerve of us both, huh?"

The thing about teasing Kenma was he could only get a few in before Kenma rapidly adjusted, he was used to him like that.

Kenma just stared at him this time. "Professor Washijo has a test next week."

Kuroo pouted.

"Study," Kenma said, sliding the book over to him.

"Yeah, okay." Kuroo opened the book, clearing his throat so the next comment seemed offhanded. "So, I told the others we were studying today."

Kenma was already reading.

"Bo's still working on asking out Akaashi."

No answer.

"Didn't think he'd have this much trouble. Be easier if he just goes ahead and asks, right?"

Kenma hummed in vague acknowledgement.

"I'll try to help him later."

No answer.

Kuroo paused. "You know Bo called this a date."

Kenma stopped reading.

For a second, there was total stillness, air hanging heavy.

Kuroo swallowed and found his throat had gone dry. "Don't worry, I told him we were just studying though."

The tension dropped like a lead weight.

Kenma went back to reading and Kuroo felt like his heart was beating too quick.

Then, Kenma spoke. "I wasn't worried."

Kuroo looked up. "What?"

"You said 'don't worry,'" Kenma said quietly. "I wasn't. I wouldn't have been."

Kuroo stared back at him even as Kenma still hadn't looked up.

He didn't know the words he wanted to say, stomach felt like it was falling even thinking them, so instead he just reached out and threaded his fingers with Kenma's, covered by the table.

Kenma's cheeks went faintly pink and Kuroo felt like he could breathe again.

"You know," he whispered, lowering his voice, "I take it back. I kinda like this table. It's cool, you know? Feels like we're hidden away, just us. Like it's our secret."

Kenma stopped again, looking up.

Kuroo grinned at him, waiting until he finally got a small smile in return.

"You should study," Kenma said.

"Alright." Kuroo turned back to his book.

The taste of butterscotch had faded.

ooooooo

Daichi was not paranoid, thank you very much.

He was rational, a man of logic.

And logic said he should be paranoid, so there.

"Aww," Suga wrapped his arms around him, "what happened to the perfect plan?"

"It was perfect," Daichi muttered before catching himself, "it is perfect. Because there's nothing dangerous about Flumpy. And Noya and Tanaka are still busy. And, so, it's perfect."

The words sounded flat even to his ears.

"Perfect," Suga raised a brow, "then, why are we on babysitting duty?"

Spread out on the nice picnic blanket with the nice food and the nice smile of his nice boyfriend….was Flumpy, niceness not yet certain.

Daichi side-eyed him, watching.

Suga's arms wrapped a bit tighter, hooking his chin over Daichi's shoulder to watch with him. "Um, Daichi. You know I love you; but, you're not really bothered about the flubberlump, are you?"

"Of course not," Daichi said immediately.

Suga let out a sigh. "Good, I was starting to get worried."

He kissed Daichi's cheek, leaning over to the basket and pulling out food. "I asked the elves to pack some extras. Butterbeer?"

"Sure," Daichi smiled at Suga before his eyes flickered back to Flumpy. "It's just a little bit weird, right?"

"Hmmm," Suga tilted his head. "I don't think so, the elves were really nice about it and the kitchen's always overstocked."

"I meant Flumpy."

Suga gave him a look. "Daichi."

"Okay, but just hear me out," Daichi started. "Fact One: Noya and Tanaka love dangerous creatures, right?"

Suga rolled his eyes but played along even though he'd mainly gone back to getting the food ready. "Okay, right."

"Fact Two: They love Flumpy."

"He is kinda cute when you get used to him." Suga smiled, patting the flubberlump's head who deigned to scoot maybe half a centimetre closer to him because, as Daichi often thought, Suga was an angel and no creature could resist.

Daichi's smile went dopey even as he delivered his final evidence. "Fact Three: Noya and Tanaka clearly want to drive us insane."

Suga looked up. "I don't really think that's a fact."

"It is." Daichi was positive. "So, conclusion, Flumpy must be some kind of dangerous because otherwise why would Noya and Tanaka still be interested?"

And, then, he blinked.

"Oh, Merlin, wait, that actually does make sense. I was kinda joking but-," He moaned. "Suga, that makes sense, doesn't it?"

"Actually, I think it's an association fallacy."

Daichi was already ahead of him, staring at where Flumpy rested by Suga's hand like the flobberlump was spontaneously going to grow fangs. "But, how is he dangerous?"

Suga stared at him, judging. "I don't think he's dangerous."

"Noya and Tanaka said he had hidden depths. They said he was interesting." Daichi turned up with wide eyes. "Suga, what does that mean?"

"Daichi," Suga said slowly, "honey, I think you need to relax. The flubberlump is not dangerous. He's a flubberlump."

"But-"

Suga grabbed his shoulders, forcing him to lay back and look up at the clouds. "Relax."

Daichi breathed out. "Okay, but Suga-"

"Relax," Suga said and his lips were starting to tilt back up and with the sun behind his head, the silver in his hair almost looked golden. "Just relax, we've got good food, it's a nice day, and you need a break, okay?"

Daichi looked up at him. "How are you so amazing?"

"Good motivation." Suga leaned down and kissed his cheek. "Now, relax, I mean it."

Daichi closed his eyes, feeling the sun on his face and hearing the soft sound of Suga humming.

Relax. Okay, he thought he could do that.

Then, he felt a distinctive oozing feeling right along his fingers and his eyes jerked open.

Flumpy was staring at him.

"Suga!"

"Relax," Suga ordered, passing him a sandwich.

ooooooo

"Wow, that was amazing, Goshiki!" Hinata hopped in the Durmstrang boy's face. "The way the Beaters were just right there and then your hand turned like shwoom! and then the Quaffle went like bam! and it got in like right between the Keeper! Ahhhh, that was so cool!"

Goshiki huffed, crossing his arms. "It was just a basic line throw." His ears were bright red. "...well, I mean I guess it was kinda cool."

"So cool, amazing!" Hinata's eyes shone. "You got the winning goal! You're so good at those! It's like you can get around all the Beaters! Like wham!" He beamed. "Can you show me? Your super straight shot!"

The blush had gotten darker even as Goshiki turned his nose up. "I suppose….maybe if you're really interested I can spend a few minutes, just show you once or twice….You really think I'm that awesome?"

Hinata nodded eagerly.

"Then, I guess I have time to show you the line shot." He coughed. "Maybe a few cross shots, too. But, only for a few minutes."

Hinata's smile got wider. "Thanks, Goshiki, you're the best!"

Hinata wasn't technically playing until tomorrow; but, he figured there was no reason he couldn't practice extra, right? Besides, he still really, really wanted to try some of those strategies that Futakuchi had been talking about.

He'd always thought watching the game instead of playing it was sort of boring; but, he was starting to find that there were some things he could only see when he was high up in the stands. Something that he'd heard Noya and Yaku talking about once. The way the different balls moved in tandem and the players moved to direct them.

In Hinata's mind, there was still nothing better than playing; but, he never realized how much he was missing before.

He was able to talk Goshiki into working with him for a little over an hour until the other boy was panting and all but hanging off his broom, begging for a break for dinner.

Hinata thanked him and wheedled out a little promise to help a bit more later this week before Hinata returned to his now normal habit of scanning the field for more players to play with.

The most amazing thing Hinata had realized was that there were so many people who loved this game and all of them had different strategies and different quirks to let them play better.

Hinata wanted to know everything.

Every single step so that he could climb higher and higher until no wall could block him in.

Unfortunately, Goshiki may have had a point about dinner-this late and after a game, the sky had gone dark and the field was deserted.

Hinata shrugged, finally landing on the field-only to find it wasn't quite empty.

He grinned, plopping over by the stands. "Is the Great Hall still bad?"

"You kidding? With the First Task next weekend, I think it's even worse." Korai grimaced, sitting out with his packed meal and thermos. He offered one of his pastries to Hinata. "Figured the field would be deserted. Should've guessed you'd still be here."

"It's Quidditch," Hinata said like that explained everything. Which really, to Hinata, it did.

Korai grinned. "Looks like you found a way to make it work."

"Yeah." Hinata leaned back in the stands. "Hey, wanna play?"

Korai made a face. "Nah, Quidditch isn't really my thing. Talk to me about spells or dueling even, then, I'll help."

Hinata looked at him. "Really?"

"Sure." Korai shrugged. "We're friends, right? Besides, I'm pretty good with the advanced magic things, trust me."

"I do," Hinata said. "I meant I thought you'd be too busy with the tournament."

"Eh, I can make time." His lip turned up. "And I've already got a plan for the tournament. Don't worry."

"What is it?"

Korai laughed. "It's a secret. Not much of a strategy if I tell everyone, even a friend. You'll find out eventually, okay?"

Hinata smiled up at him. "Like a surprise?"

"Definitely a surprise."

Hinata tilted his head, thinking of something. "Hey, sorry about the article."

Korai blinked. "What do you mean?"

"Well, I mean," Hinata rubbed the back of his neck, unsure, "it mainly focused on Oikawa, yeah? I didn't know, I thought you might be upset or something. You wanted to show everyone how amazing you were, right? And….well, Oikawa's my friend, too-I guess? Calling him a friend seems kinda weird." Hinata shook the thought off and focused. "I just thought it was unfair that it didn't really focus on all of you guys. You deserve it, too."

"Oh."

Hinata looked up just as Korai's smile stretched into something softer.

"Thanks," Korai said, "that's….you're," he cleared his throat, "you're a really good guy, aren't you, Shouyou?"

Hinata frowned. "I don't know. I think I'm probably like everyone, I guess."

Korai didn't smile back. "Nah, definitely not like everyone." He waved him off. "Anyway, don't worry about me. I'm fine. Looked like Oikawa needed it more right now, anyway." He grinned. "I'm sure I'll get my moment, too. Just gotta earn it first."

That felt like something Hinata could understand so he nodded. "Okay."

Korai went back to eating. "Besides, imagine how crazy the Great Hall would be if I was on the front page. Awful!"

Hinata laughed. "It can't be too bad, right?"

ooooooo

Sunday breakfast tended to be a rather lazy affair.

Oikawa smiled, tapping idly on the table.

Iwaizumi stared at him. "You okay?"

"Mhm, yes, I'm excellent. Why?"

Iwaizumi frowned. "I don't know, you seem quiet."

Oikawa's expression was serene. "I'm waiting."

"For what," Kuroo asked.

Oikawa didn't bother answering, tipping back his head as the morning frenzy of owls swooped down to the Great Hall, packages and letters lobbed down sporadically to land on the already crowded table.

Oikawa grabbed for his Prophet, not surprised to see a few extra letters hidden between the sections.

He pulled them out.

"Huh," Bokuto glanced up before abruptly stopping, "hey, are those-"

"Why, they certainly are," Oikawa agreed.

He pulled out his wand, aiming at the seals.

Iwaizumi jerked his head up. "What are you doing?"

"Don't open them," Suga hissed.

Oikawa tsked. "Don't be silly, of course, I am. Howlers only get worse if you wait, don't you know?"

He muttered under his breath and three seals broke at once. He grabbed them quickly, standing to throw them high in the air as they started to transform.

The Great Hall descended into the shriek of discordant screaming, one voice on top of the other, instantly throwing everything into chaos

"A FILTHY MUD-"

"-HOW DARE-

"-SHOULD BE-"

Oikawa stood on the bench to get better aim and cleared his throat, speaking quiet and clear and pushing every ounce of magic he could until his entire arm went cold: "Incendio Maxima."

"BOOM!"

All three howlers exploded like fireworks with the sound of a canon.

The sound overpowered everything, causing those in the surrounding area to flinch back.

When it was finally over, the hall was left in ringing silence.

Pieces of still burning fragments scattered across the entire hall, singe marks marring the stone where one letter got too close to the wall

Oikawa's smile was sharp as ash rained down from the ceiling to land in his hair.

"Anyone else want to try," he asked sweetly.

ooooooo

A/N: Can we all agree the Great Hall would be a terrible place to have breakfast? Between the owls divebombing and, well, everything else, like dang! I'd just want to eat my toast and eggs in peace.

Anyway, thanks to all of you as always! I appreciate you guys so much!

Next Chapter: The First Task
Post Date: Oct. 24-25