Matches and Candlesticks

Sirius knew he should have just turned back and killed him in that street.

He groaned and stretched his arms behind his back in frustration.

He had wanted to do it it wouldn’t have taken long, but when he looked at that fear in the kids eyes he just couldn’t do it.

Sure he was a coward, and soft, and clearly didn’t care about James enough seeing as he couldn’t even do this.
But the kid was the same age Harry would have been.

The kid - no demon (not a normal kid remember that) - had looked positively terrified. He couldn’t have known that Sirius was there to kill him, so it had to have been Padfoot.

There was no way that the demon student, the Mini Dark Lord was scared of dogs. It just didn’t work.

‘It’s okay I still have time. I can do this’ he thought to himself.

Merlin I’m most certainly into my own death.

It’ll be worth it, for them all.

I’ll be the one to kill him and prevent the next war. As long as everyone is safe I’ll be fine.

——————

After reading the article and stealing a bunch of others, Dazai was really confused.
So this guy , Sirius Orion Black, has betrayed his old friends to Voldemort, which lead to the death of them and their child. He then decided to go and murder another friend for no real reason.

He just sounded stupid in all of this. Apparently he’d killed the third friend to “complete” it or something, but that just didn’t seem right to Dazai.

All of this junk made him seem really unstable and dangerous. Definitely like a guy that Dazai should want to recruit, but he also sounded really stupid. All of that had been so poorly planned, that Dazai knew he wouldn’t be able to deal with this idiot for more than half an hour.

So yeah, no new members for the Hounds.

Dazai also really had to get his stuff. He did have a week left, but it was better to be early just incase.

The sun was blindingly bright in his window by now, another sleepless night then.

He should probably start getting his books then. Maybe he’d find the Weasleys again.

Dazai just desperately hoped not to have another Lockhart incident in the shop.
While Mori didn’t directly give Dazai orders he still had to keep a somewhat similar reputation. A weirdly stupid serial killer looking for him would probably help.

“Be good” he quickly said to Featherbrain, who was perched on the frame of the open window.

She just hooted back and took off quickly.

The door made a soft click as it opened and Dazai stepped out softly. While he wasn’t at home, where he would get in trouble for being too loud, he still didn’t want to wear Tom’s friendliness out.

He still had a bunch of homework (especially from Snape, seriously fuck him), so he needed to hurry getting his books. Okay yeah Dazai could have done all of his essays back at home, but he had a job. Mori was just asking for more and more these days. He’d had a mission every day this year. Clearly the doctor thought it was time to take on the responsibility of an executive.

The Pub was relatively empty again. A few witches were sitting in a corner, nursing another crying witch. Florence laughing over a drink with Tom.

It was comfortingly warm and Dazai smiled slowly. He’d not be able to wash the scent of alcohol out of his nose for weeks.
He would have never thought that he’d like this place so much. Last year it had been quite a different atmosphere (not that anyone else would’ve noticed, well maybe Tom).

Florence looked up from the table and lifted their arm in greeting, while giving Dazai a welcoming look. The other guests didn’t really share their attitude, as they stared at the one eyed mafioso in shock (maybe a bit of fear).
So his face was most certainly known by now.

Dazai turned to look at Tom “I thought that would have been better after the book.”
Tom smiled at him apologetically and waved him over. “Settled in kid?”
“I guess” Dazai said a bit to tired to be cheery and annoying about everything. He just hoped it wouldn’t be brought up.
“So why didn’t rumors finally die down?” He continued, tilting his head slightly at the Bartender.

“They did.” He had clearly been hoping that he wouldn’t have to explain to a 13 year old, why the entire population of British Wixen hated him. “But then Skeeter started saying you threatened Gilderoy Lockhart into silence.”

Well she wasn’t entirely wrong, except it hadn’t been him, but Blaise. To be fair the Fraud had been lying from the start and even planned to kill a child (yes Dazai saw himself as a child if it helped his point).

The old Wizard was waiting for Dazai to stop thinking, so that he could go on. (Seriously there was more?) Also apparently Dazai had to remember to keep a pokerface, if him thinking could be so easily spotted.

“The talk got a lot worse after-“ he suddenly looked as though he’d just remembered something important. “Um- I’m not really sure if I should tell you this part.” There was a spark of pity in his eyes. Dazai shortly debated stabbing his eyes out for it.

Dazai sighed dramatically “fine fine, I’ll leave it be.” He would just have to figure it out on his own then.

The teenager knew it would be easy to force it out of him, but he really didn’t wanna take any chances with the guy that could kick him out any second.

Dazai plastered his typical smile on his face
“Anywayy, I’ll be going. Gotta get my books.”

Actually he should probably get more cauldrons too. He had this little habit of destroying them, when he got bored, much to his teachers dismay.

“Alright see you later then” Tom said with a toothless smile.
Florence waved goodbye and turned back to the Bartender.

——————

The air outside was much colder and the sky above was a dark moody gray. Dazai had certainly seen better weather, but it just proved that he was back.
Little droplets were softly sinking through the fabric of his bandages.

Dazai sighed, annoyed that he’d have to change them so soon. His bandages became unbearable as soon as they got wet. It felt like heavy chains dragging him back to the 7 gates of hell.

He really had to buy his books now, however much he just wanted to hide away. People recognizing him might be annoying, but he only had about a week left until it was time to go back to Hogwarts.

All the shops were filled as per usual. Kids were running around their parents squealing with excitement, while the parents were fondly looking at them, probably remembering their first years at Hogwarts.

So many people also meant that Dazai’s chance to be recognized was massive. He really wished his coat had a hood, so he’d be a bit less obvious.

It was plain that they recognized him as soon as they saw a Hogwarts Student, that was Japanese, had one eye, brown hair, and was covered in bandages. He was rather easy to identify.

A few Hogwarts age kids (maybe in their second year) ran around excitedly, screaming at each other. All of this was to be expected, but there were two people that caught Dazai’s attention. He was pretty sure he could see some platinum blonde sticking out in the crowd.

Dazai couldn’t repress a smile. Seeing Draco would be nice. He skipped a bit ahead, barely dodging the kids. Yup, that was Draco, together with his mother Narcissa. He’d met her last year, while talking to her husband Lucius, who was an ally of the port mafia.

Last time he’d seen her she’d been really charmed and happy to see a friend of Draco’s. He hoped that would still hold up, he was way to tired to do all that again.

“Draco!” Dazai yelled out.
The pale student turned around and immediately started grinning.

He muttered something to his mother and ran over, wrapping Dazai in a hug.
“I wasn’t sure you’d return to be honest.” Draco said.

Narcissa also came over, if a bit more graceful. She smiled at Dazai. (Seemed like she still liked him, good.)

“Good to see you.” She said “Have you got your books yet, Dazai?”

He quickly shook his head and tore himself from Draco’s warm embrace.

“Let’s buy them together!” Draco smiled.

Dazai nodded and they went on immediately. He was glad to see Draco. The atmosphere was way cozier than Yokohama.

He really just felt like he could be himself around his Hogwarts friends. It was nice not to have to play the demon prodigy here. But the port mafia was where he belonged right? While it was nice here, he didn’t deserve their light. He was a flower of darkness as Koyou liked to say. Without Mori who would he be?

"Dear?" Narcissa’s smooth voice cut through his thoughts, tone unusually soft. "What classes do you take? I’m sure you and Draco chose differently.”

“Oh, yeah.” He was still a bit wrapped up in his head. “Um I guess I chose Arithmancy and Ancient Runes.” He gave her a small smile.

“Hey! We’ll be in runes together!” Draco called.

Narcissa spoke again while Dazai turned his head to smile at Draco. “Difficult subjects. Good for your future though. I hope you enjoy them. Ancient runes was a favorite of mine, back when I was your age.”

“Draco what’s your second new class?” Dazai slightly tilted his head while asking.

“Supposedly care for magical creatures is really interesting, so I picked it. Im pretty sure Pansy chose the same ones”

“Surprise there.” Dazai muttered, but Draco went on with an eye roll in his direction.

“Anyway, Blaise probably chose just like you, so you’ll have someone to bring you everywhere.”

Dazai just pouted at him. He clearly did not need a guide. It wasn’t his fault that Hogwarts was so illogical.

The shop window displayed a bunch of book, mauling each other, in a large iron cage.
Dazai really hoped he wouldn’t have to get one of those.

Narcissa looked at the books displeased and went into the shop.
It was full, overflowing with kids and parents.
The shopkeeper was wrestling with one of the books from display and forced it into the hands of a kid.

“Hogwarts third year?” He barely breathed out infront of them.

Poor guy was clearly overworked and thinking about quitting. Not that Dazai could blame him, he’d probably kill himself, if he had to deal with alive monster book thingies. (That Dazai thought about death around the clock did not matter.)

Draco nodded. “Both of us require the standards, together with two copies of ancient runes made easy and rune dictionary, one numerology and grammatica, one book of monsters.”

The employees face dropped and he put on a pair of thick gloves. He picked up a large walking stick and headed to the cafe.
He complained about invisible books on his way, something about them getting lost.

——————

They got out rather quickly and went on to Madam Malkin’s.

Draco was already complaining about the new book.

It was empty currently and Draco started getting measured immediately.

His mother kept on going on about safety runes and different Stiches. Wizard really were difficult.

He got new robes quickly. They were a bit big, so that Dazai wouldn’t grow out of them in the middle of the year.

By the time he had to head back, the sky was already streaked with reds and pinks.
He waved goodbye to Draco and his mother and went on to his room.

He couldn’t wait to see his friends again, although he may have to get new welcoming gifts for Luna, Ginny, and maybe even Percy.

He’d just have to see.