Of owls and fake smiles
Dazai woke abruptly, darkness receding as he stared at the cracked ceiling above. The discolored dents and the fissures slithering and splitting in the wood helped to ground him as he fought against the racing of his heart. He pulled himself together with a few measured breaths, gluing the pieces of his being long enough to settle the stormy thoughts whirling in his mind.
He couldn’t remember the nightmare he’d had, just the feeling of suffocation, and blood. Most of his night terrors usually followed along a similar script. The lack of pain in his throat at least assured him that he hadn’t screamed too loudly.
Knowing he would soon be made to sleep in a dorm with other students, he supposed he had to curb the habit soon. He’d been alone for so long in that container that he got used to his screams going unheard.
Sighing softly, his body and mind protested against the urge to remain where he was, he got up and off the bed. He hadn’t bothered to change his clothes the night before and he was regretting doing so now.
Discarding his coat, settling it on a chair carefully, he made his way to the bathroom. He avoided looking at the cracked mirror hanging there, focusing on the bandages he was slowly unraveling. Nevertheless, he averted his eyes a moment later as more of his skin slowly got exposed to the world, staring at the floor resolutely as he stripped down and climbed under the shower head.
The scars marring every inch of his body were never a pretty sight, after all.
He showered quickly, scalding water rubbing at his skin, making his flesh feel raw and his still-healing cuts flare once more. The water trickling down his feet would occasionally turn red but he couldn’t bring himself to pay it much attention.
Once done with his morning routine, he went through the familiar motions of wrapping his body up in a new set of bandages, taking care to cover his palms and fingers in case the gloves somehow failed him.
The bandage around his unseeing eye felt heavier as he finished tying it off.
The sun just barely starting to rise outside told him that it was still fairly early, and so he settled himself on the floor in front of the bed, opening the supplies they had shopped for the day before.
The fifth-year studying material was significantly more loaded than the previous years. As he had learned that there was something they called OWLS exams that would be taking place this year. Just his luck.
He’d studied as much of the curriculum as he could on his own, going through four years of learning material from the cold comfort of his desk in Yokohama. It was the practical side of everything that made him dread the placement exam they had in store for him.
Through research, he’d learned that his main target of interest was a kid his age. According to Mori, the boy had been at the center of everything important happening in the underworld of the Magical community. Harry Potter, or as they liked to call him, The Boy Who Lived. In Dazai’s opinion, a rather silly moniker, was a recurring figure in magical Britain's history.
Looking at the news articles he had subtly picked up- Stolen the day before, careful to remain out of sight of the bat-like teacher-, Dazai could tell that this world had very controversial opinions and stories about Potter.
He was a hero, he was a liar, and a savior when he wasn’t a villain in the making. All in all, he was a reporter’s wet dream.
He had read about his family history in some of the books he’d gotten. And wasn’t it weird for a fifteen-year-old to have his name printed on history books? Dazai didn’t envy his life at all. In his shoes, he would have probably offed himself ages ago, not that he hadn’t already tried of course.
Dropping the newspapers back onto the dusty wooden tiles of the floor, he picked up his charms book and got to work.
If he wanted to blend in seamlessly, he’d have to keep up with this year’s curriculum.
___________________________
It was hours later, as he’d already gone through many of his acquired books that a knock on his door interrupted him from his studying.
He’d been so focused that he hadn’t even noticed the sun shining brightly through the window’s shades.
Immediately on guard, he slipped the knife he usually kept tucked away in his sleeve, and into his palm, concealed and yet ready for use in case he needed it. Mori, much to his frustration, hadn’t let him bring his guns.
The knock sounded once more, this time a little firmer. “Hey kid, It’s Tom, you awake yet?” It was the barkeep, of course. Huffing at his own paranoia, he slowly pushed the chair out of the way, freeing the door’s handle.
After a moment of hesitation, he opened the door slowly, gazing at the intruder with an unidentifiable gaze.
When the man realized that Dazai wouldn’t be speaking first, he continued. “You missed breakfast, is everything okay in there?” The man’s eyes were filled with something akin to concern, if Dazai didn’t know better he would think the man was worried about him.
“I’m fine, thanks, not hungry.” He spoke lowly, eyes flicking to the empty hall behind the barkeeper and back. He moved to close the door but was stopped by the older man’s hand.
“Wait uh-“ He removed his hand as if burned by Dazai’s sudden glare, retreating a couple of steps back and rubbing his neck sheepishly. “Lunch will be served soon, so do try and come down for a bite, alright kid?”
Dazai regarded him for a moment, before slowly nodding. He had no intention of actually going through with it, however, it did seem to appease the man as he went back down the stairs with a wave of his hand.
Sighing softly, he figured it was high time for him to go out for more books. He contemplated changing into his new set of robes to blend in but thought better of it. He wanted to enjoy his last opportunity to wear what he wanted.
Taking his newly acquired money pouch, his extendable bag, his wand, and his knives, he locked his door and slowly walked down the stairs. Thankfully Tom seemed to be busy with a few customers, which enabled him to go out completely unnoticed with few well-practiced steps.
The road outside was just as packed as it had been the day before, Dazai immediately noticed the abundance of kids going to and fro many stores. All probably looking to prepare for the school year ahead.
Taking a moment to remember the layout he’d memorized yesterday, he marched his way to the store he had in mind, careful to stay out of the crowd and keep to himself. The many knives stashed on his person were a comforting weight as he walked.
Flourish and Blotts was just as green and old as he recalled, the golden lettering etched on its fraying surface standing out against the rusted paint. Odasaku would have loved it, he was sure.
Idly, he wondered if the man would appreciate Dazai sending some books his way.
Maybe getting himself an owl would be more useful than he thought.
Walking into the store, he was glad to find that not many people were shopping for books at this hour. Only a few families and kids were scattered across the space.
Rows of shelves and floating brackets incased the place, and Dazai fought against the urge to marvel at them. Without dark steely eyes following after him, and looking over his shoulder, Dazai could freely explore the store, unhindered in his search for interesting material.
Quickly he found himself depositing many history books into his hovering cart, followed by some more advanced books depicting some of the courses he had read about. Making sure to pick up more practical-oriented information as he went along the sections.
One would think him a very dedicated student if they didn’t know better.
He was browsing through the ‘Ancient Runes’ section when he suddenly felt a presence behind him. He whirled around just as a figure bumped into him, sending his back thudding against the shelves, and a few books crashing to the ground.
“Oh, sorry,” The girl apologized, immediately bending to pick up the books that had been knocked over. “I was just trying to reach a book behind you.” Her voice was soft, an earnest apology shining in her deep coffee-tinted eyes as she regarded him carefully. The intelligent glint in her gaze let him know that she was studying him just as thoroughly as he was analyzing her. He was immediately on guard, putting on a friendlier façade as he turned to face her fully, his eye took in her slightly frizzy curls, falling just past her shoulders in light sandy brown waves.
His silence seemed to make her restless as she shuffled her feet awkwardly, looking curiously at the book held comfortably in his gloved hands. “Are you interested in ancient runes too? I was really looking forward to this year’s lessons.” She seemed to realize that she was rambling and abruptly stopped herself. Twisting her fingers through her curls in an obvious nervous gesture, she spoke up once more. Her voice was more confident than he’d have pegged her to be. “I don’t believe we’ve met before, I’m Hermione Granger.” Kouyou’s countless lessons seemed to finally kick in as he gently took her outstretched hand into his own and brought it to his lips, ghosting a breath minutely against them before letting go.
“I think I’d remember meeting a lady as beautiful as you, Miss Granger.” Her cheeks flared prettily, a blush staining her face as she floundered for a response, visibly flustered. He stifled the urge to grin as he watched her try to gather her composure, a sharp glint in her eye as she realized that he was teasing her. “I was just curious about the electives I might choose this year.” He carried on before she could get in a proper response.
His statement seemed to somehow snap her out of her discomfited state, her eyes finally meeting his own once more. “Your electives…?” She inquired with confusion twisting her features. “Are you a third year, then?” Her eyes flitted over his body doubtfully, as if re-assessing her previous conclusion, taking note of his strange outfit, the bandages wrapped around his limbs, and his height with no small amount of suspicion.
Before he could formulate an answer a boy suddenly barreled through the aisles, his voice reaching them long before he was discernible. “Hermione, come on, you’ve been in here for ages, let’s go already, dad’s waiting for us outside.” Dazai eyed the boy’s hair with a small sense of wistfulness, his smile turning almost genuine as he looked at the stranger’s flaming red hair.
“Oh please, Ron, I haven't been gone that long.” Her entire demeanor seemed to soften as she turned to face who Dazai could only assume was her friend as they looked nothing alike. Her eyes looked at the teen with fond exasperation. It made something in his chest twinge, was this how regular teenagers were supposed to act with each other? “I was just talking to-“ He made himself scarce before she could turn and introduce him, lest she realize that he hadn’t actually given her his name.
He watched from a far as she blinked, looking around for him before turning back to her friend. At his urging gesture, she seemed to reluctantly follow him through the aisles and out of the store.
He didn’t waste any more time taking the rest of the books he needed, along with a pack of older news articles. He paid the store clerk, ignoring the inquiring stare he got in response at the sizeable amount of books he had bought, before heading back out.
Standing outside the establishment, he wondered if he should perhaps take a look at the Owlery he’d passed on his way here. The books he’d purchased with Oda in mind felt heavy even though he knew the bag he was using had been charmed to feel light.
His body seemed to choose for him as his feet led him there before he could fully come to a decision.
The owl shop was hard to miss, what with the multiple cages decorating its purple storefront, owls of all shapes and breeds looking at customers with curious eyes. ‘Eeylops Owl Emporium’ was written in bold letters, only serving to prove his point.
Looking at the creatures, Dazai questions once more whether this endeavor would be worth the trouble. He expected to be hit with a rank odor as soon as he stepped inside, but to his pleasant surprise, the store seemed to emit a relatively sweet smell. Little hoots and noises could be heard from every corner, his gaze catching onto a couple of abnormally large owls before moving on to smaller ones.
“Hello, might you be on the lookout for a loyal companion, my friend?” The clerk’s inviting voice didn’t betray the suspicion Dazai could already see in the man’s eyes. It was as if he’d looked at Dazai and immediately written him off as someone who wouldn’t be a worthy customer.
Dazai had the sudden urge to buy himself an owl, if only out of sheer pettiness.
“Yes, sir, I’m looking for an owl that can travel long distances for post.”
The look in his eyes quieted a little, placated for the moment with some proof of Dazai’s serious consideration. “Long distances, you say.” He hummed, looking around, assessing the owls he had in his care. “I might have exactly what yer looking for.” His accent was thick and his eyes eager as he led Dazai down a few aisles and deeper into the store, stopping in front of a small golden cage. “Now this little fellow might not seem like much at first glance, but he is the fastest an’ sturdiest of this year’s batch.” He explained, gesturing to a small owl huddle inside it. It’s back turned to both of them.
Its feathers were painted midnight black, one that seemed to shine blue with silver highlights in the sun. Turning around the cage in order to get a better look at its face, Dazai’s frustration rose as the animal seemed to stubbornly turn with him. It was as if it was unwilling to allow him the honor of looking at it directly.
“He’s a little shy.” The clerk said sheepishly, looking at the owl with a grin. “He’s a rescue you see, unfortunately, his previous owners hadn’t been the best sort you could say.” He continued, throwing a couple of treats into the cage, finally getting the damned creature to turn their way.
Dazai had to stifle the urge to laugh, as a pair of big round obrs finally looked at him. Its eyes were of a mesmerizingly electric golden shade, one that was admittedly beautiful. However, the source of his merriment was the downward-pointing set of thick feathers framing the tiny owl’s face, making him look hilariously angry at the world. Against all odds, and to his great amusement, they were a deep shade of red. The owl hooted loudly at him as if sensing his mockery and getting offended by it.
“He won’t grow much bigger than this, I’m afraid, his growth has been horribly stunted by his mistreatment.” Dazai had the sudden urge to buy this tiny owl an equally tiny hat. “I would understand if you wanted to look elsewhere, I might have some-“
“No,” He interrupted, eyes never leaving the angry little creature. “I’ll take him.” As if emphasizing his point, the owl huffed and turned away.
___________________________________
Walking back to the inn with an extra owl and all its necessities sorted along with the books he had bought, Dazai figured his trip had been particularly productive, today.
As he tried to sneak back into his room, he was intercepted once more, just one foot away from clearing the stairs. It seemed that his luck had inevitably run out.
“Wait, Mr Dazai!” Tom called out for him, heavy footsteps following up the stairs and stopping just a few steps away from the teen. “Where have you been, I checked on you at lunch and your room was empty.”
Gesturing to the owl pointedly ignoring them, he said. “Just had a few errands to run.” His voice was low as he spoke, wanting the interaction to be over and done with.
“Have you eaten anything at all today? You missed both breakfast and lunch.” The man asked worriedly, once more baffling Dazai with his earnestness.
“I ate while I was out,” Manners, Mori would remind him fruitlessly. Manners, Osamu. “Thank you for asking.” He walked away without another word, unlocking his door with swift movements and shutting himself in.
People weren’t kind without ulterior motives. All this attention was making him feel sick.
Pulling the chair once more under the door’s handle, he set the cage down on the desk in the corner of the room by the window. Crouching to look at his new companion closely, angry golden eyes stared right into his soul as he did so. “It’s just you and me for now, Chibi” He spoke softly, inspecting the creature with a cool hooded eye. “I should probably give you a name huh?” He muttered, turning to put down his satchel, taking out the bird feed and the books he had purchased. Although, now that he thought about it, Chibi did fit quite well, and it served to piss off a certain fiery redhead too, so really win-win. Taking a few grains of feed into his palm, he gave his offering to the bird. “You like it? Chibi Junior?” He yelped as the angry little menace bit into his finger. “I’ll take that as a yes.” He muttered with a pout, shaking the pain from his fingers and dropping some more food into the cage. Water had already been magically spelled to refill on its own in a little basin next to its nest.
He spent the rest of the night reading through his books, unable to fall asleep.
Next chapter is already up here