Veil

The dirty roof he had been staring at for the past few hours faded to black as he let his eyes slip closed with a sigh. Not for the first time that day, Dazai found himself thinking about Hogwarts.

It was a common occurrence now that he was back in Yokohama, It was all that he could think about. Why was he so caught up about it? 

Having to deal with Mori and the silly jobs he was sent on couldn't keep his thoughts from wandering to his friends gang, his teachers, and to the school that he never quite managed to learn how to navigate.

If Dazai missed it, it was no one’s business but his own.

The Wizarding community had surely fallen into madness with Albus Dumbledore’s sudden death and the passing of Madam Pomfrey, along with the four other students' lives that had taken —no one's fault but his own. (He pushed aside the memory of Blaise helping him that day)

He wondered if the Daily Prophet had published an article blaming him for the two teachers' deaths. He didn’t doubt it. He was basically keeping them running with how much they were talking about him!

He wondered if any of his teachers even bothered to defend him at this point.

Not that he cared. This is what Mori wanted.

Dazai sighed and finally pulled himself up off the mattress, if you could even call it one. It was merely a piece of foam with a dirty sheet pulled over it.

When he returned to Yokohama instead of the normal room he resided in, he was greeted by an old, grimy shipping container, barely furnished apart from a bed and a wobbly desk accompanied by a sad looking chair, along with some other simple necessities.

Mori finally got sick of him, it seems.

Again, not that he cared.

He was actually quite thrilled with the notion of not having to see Mori’s ugly face all the time.

If he was lucky enough he might just die from some mold induced sickness…was that a thing?

Mori was really going all out for his favorite executive.

He took a moment to readjust the heavy coat that was draped over his shoulders, (A constant reminder of the organization he belonged to) before rummaging through his pocket for his mafia supplied phone, flicking through the call log.

Seven. Seven missed calls from Mori.

Dazai groaned and flopped back onto his bed, wincing slightly as something hard stabbed into his shoulder.

He really didn’t feel like trekking all the way to Mori’s office right now. Maybe if he rolled over he could suffocate himself in his pillow. He considered it for a moment before pulling himself up yet again.

It would probably be better if he didn’t keep Mori waiting, no matter how annoying and slimy he was.

・❥・

Severus stifled a groan as he lent back in his chair. The past few weeks had been an utter disaster.

First, it was a small group of students, (Including Dazai;) somehow managing to locate and open the Chamber of Secrets. Honestly he really shouldn't be surprised, Dazai seemed to have a knack for getting himself into things like that.

It was a relief to know it wasn't a student who was the cause of the petrification's but it still astounded Severus how a stupidly large snake could reside in Hogwarts for so long without anyone's knowledge.

Then, it was the passing of Madam Pomfrey and several students due to the incompetence of St. Mungo's hospital. 

Instead of doing their job properly they were more interested in writing an article about the “Demon student”, neglecting their duties.

Vile. Absolutely vile human beings.

The most recent occurrence, (and arguably their biggest problem) was the death of Albus Dumbledore in a rather sudden house fire.

Professor McGonagall had been quick to step up and take the role as headmistress for the time being, although this didn't make the workload any easier.

 This sudden change meant there was a lot that had to be done in preparation for the new term, which she so kindly delegated among the remaining staff. 

He couldn't blame her. The sudden deaths had taken a toll on everyone, but surely he had better things to be doing at the current moment, (Like attempting to find out if a certain student had lost another eye) than trying to find someone to be Poppy’s replacement. 

Not that the task was easy.

Due to the death toll of teachers rising to a grand three and rumors about the Demon student– no one was really throwing themselves at the opportunity. But also, Poppy had become a friend to him, not that he had admitted that to her.

Severus still couldn’t believe she was dead. 

Unfortunately for the school, not just the Ministry had taken interest in the recent deaths surrounding Hogwarts.

Just a few weeks after the passing of the headmaster, the school received a letter from The Department of Education, or DOE; detailing how they wanted to come evaluate the school once term had started. 

This worried Severus more than he'd like to admit as they had on many occasions publicly stated their opinion on the “Demon Student”. (Which was quite negative)

Dazai’s safety was something he always found himself concerned about.

It’s not as if they were in a position to refuse the visit though.

So, it was agreed upon that they would send someone to Hogwarts until they could, quote “Make sure it is a safe and nurturing environment for students and teachers alike”

Severus sighed and ran a hand through his already disheveled hair.

Merlin, his office was a mess. He really ought to clean it before school goes back.

He slid open one of the draws on his desk, ready to pile all the unnecessary parchment paper into it when something caught his attention. 

A piece of tri-folded paper, charred at the edges.

A letter.

Dazai’s letter.

 He honestly hadn't thought about it much after the initial confrontation. Dazai was always up to one thing or another, letter or no letter– he was still worried for the boy.

His stomach churned unpleasantly with the memories from the meeting.

The implications.

“After all I’ve given you, it would be such a bother for you to fail me now, you won’t be returning home if you don’t do this, understand? Not in one piece, at least, and that wouldn’t be cute at all.”

Dog bite, he had mentioned. 

Dazai had said it so simply. Like it was the most mundane punishment to be “Grounded to the kennel”.

Then, of course, the boy had grinned and skipped off like nothing was wrong, leaving him and Poppy dumbfounded in his wake.

Severus stared down at the letter in a daze for a few moments before promptly closing the draw. 

Cleaning his office would have to wait till another day. 

Dumbledore was gone now, and while it was sad it meant that they actually had a chance to help Dazai.

He was going to finish what Poppy started.

Merlin…he hoped Dazai was alright.

・❥・

Dazai had managed to take a whole half hour to walk to Mori’s office, which in Dazai’s opinion, he should be commemorated for. New record!

He found himself contemplating throwing himself into incoming traffic or off a bridge at the thought of seeing Mori’s ugly face so he decided to walk as slow as possible as some sort of anti–suicide tactic. He was more use to Mori alive than dead after all.

Mori should really be glad he was coming at all, somedays he didn’t even make an effort.

Surprisingly it was working rather well right up until he caught sight of the five dark buildings looming over him. (He seriously considered turning around and running onto the busiest road he could find.)

Still he found himself walking (Rather begrudgingly) through the halls of the main building.

As he approached the two ornate doors that led to Mori’s office, he spared the two men standing protectively at the entrance with a single glance.

The both of them moved promptly.

Dazai snorted internally. He found it amusing how scared they were of him, despite him being a decade or so younger than them.  Perks of being an executive.

His mood already soured by the thought of seeing Mori, Dazai opted to give the door a sharp kick instead of a knock. Waiting for a few moments, he heard mumbling coming from within and decided that was good enough for him, pushing the heavy doors open dramatically.

His single brown eye was met with not one, but two pairs of eyes.

Huh…

Kouyou was here.

He straightened himself up and pasted a wide grin on his face, offering Kouyou a curt nod as he took up the seat beside her.

“Ah Dazai,” Mori drawled, “I'm glad to see you made it, you were starting to worry me!” 

Dazai’s face tightened slightly, his grin souring. 

“Good” 

Mori simply chuckled and chose to ignore his comment, clapping his hands. “Well since we are all here now, I’d like to discuss the recent ongoing events relating to Hogwarts.”