Chapter II
Truthfully, there is no other words to describe the two children who are supposed to be part of a group responsible to protect humanity, except children.
The two of them look even younger and smaller than most of Hogwarts fifth year students. They look like lost children, eyes that seem too big on their innocent, unblemished face, for people who supposedly have been part of some widespread destruction in Tokyo’s suburb.
"Nekoi-chan, Kamui-kun, please take a seat," Karen addresses them with a gentle, motherly tone. "These are the wizards and witch who will take you to.. Hogwarts?" Karen turns to Dumbledore and tilts her head questioningly. "Is it directly to Hogwarts? Or another safehouse?"
"Unfortunately, during this period, Hogwarts is very much an empty castle. We have discussed about it with Imonoyama-san and Sumeragi-san that it is better for the Mr. Shirou and Ms. Nekoi here to be able to socialize with future classmates, acclimatizing with our culture. Hence, we have decided that we will take you to one safe house where we will also be hosting another group of people, some are your age."
"A.." Yuzuriha Nekoi tilts her head to one side, and stretches her hands to the front of her body. "I dont really mind either way, truly. It is very nice to meet you, sirs and madam," she gives them a cheerful smile. "I am excited to see Britain's wizarding world! I heard it is very different and more magical than what we are used to, here! What do you think, Kamui-kun?" She nudges the boy on her side.
“I don’t care,” the boy shrugs carelessly. His voice still has a childish tinge on it.
The boy, Kamui Shirou, stares at the table listlessly. His floppy hair looks messy for school regulation. His noise is upturn and delicate. His face is small and triangular, and very pretty for a boy. He is also very tiny: a considerably broad shoulder for his petite body that tapers to a tiny waist.
“Urm… that’s that, Karen-san!” the girl called Nekoi immediately takes back the control from Kamui.
It is quite fascinating to see how fast the girl notices Kamui’s disinterest and perhaps, distaste, of the situation. Her big eyes shift from Kamui to the adults, staring at them earnestly. She talks and acts as if there is nothing of interest there and keeps their attention to her.
Yuzuriha Nekoi is even smaller than Kamui. Although she is not a beauty like Karen or Arashi, her smile is very bright and her cute gestures are so charming. Her hair is styled asymmetrically, but combed neatly. Unlike Kamui, she wears her uniform properly.
The contradiction between their two presence gives their audience a bit of whiplash. However, seeing them, the educators from Hogwarts understand why it is Yuzuriha, rather than Arashi, whom is chosen to accompany Kamui.
Yuzuriha seems very harmless. Her sweet demeanor and cute appearance make strangers willing to open themselves up to her. She is to be Kamui’s mediator, someone who will help smooth out communication with others children in Britain.
Karen sighs lightly. She observes the two for few seconds before beckoning them to sit on the table with the adults. “Please seat… It is better if you get to know these professors before you all depart together, isn’t it?”
There is a moment of stillness, of anticipation, before Kamui moves first to take a seat furthest from everyone.
“Please call me Nekoi, sirs, madam!” Yuzuriha offers her hand, that Dumbledore stands to shake, followed by McGonagall, but ignored by Snape. Then she takes the empty seat between Kamui and the adults.
Once seated, Kamui’s hands seem to move on its own to the top of the table. Both of his hands are covered by bandages that go on to his shoulders. It is apparent, because he wear a short sleeve button down. He has also let the top buttons of his shirt unbuttoned, so the bandages that cover his neck and chest are visible.
Severus Snape observes this with gritted teeth.
When he was first approached by Dumbledore to talk about the Kamui, he was flabbergasted. Apparently, Kamui is going to need him, Snape, to help treating his wounds.
“Kamui heals much much faster than regular human, of course,” Dumbledore told him at that time.
“Of course,” Snape sneered then; obviously, a person who is said to represent the God’s Will should have some sort of healing capacity. In case they got robbed or attacked on the street.
“But the injuries he sustained from the Other Kamui’s attack are extensive. Morever, the injuries are from the Sacred Sword. It is said that such injuries have magical properties, it will not heal as Kamui’s injuries tend to.”
“So?”
“I know that you don’t have personal obligation for this, but I require your help to provide potions and ointments to help heal the injuries, preferably, so that they will not leave any scar..”
At that time, Snape thought of Kamui as vain. With a life such as theirs, and as far as Snape knew then, that someone such as Kamui should have been well-trained for duelling and what not, injuries and scarring should be a common occurrence. He inadvertently compared Kamui to Harry Potter, who has been marked with a lightning shape scar and has to bear it his whole life.
Snape didn’t expect that Kamui is a delicate looking boy, all fine bones and light skin, who looks like he has never worked a day in his life. The bandages that cover almost all part of the boy’s body make him looks even more pitiful.
On Snape’s side, he can hear Minerva’s sharp intake of a breath.
Minerva McGonagall has lived the majority of her life knowing about the existence of the Kamui. A part of that life has been very much skeptical, because Kamui is all about prophecies, and she has always seen Seers and Prophets as somewhat of frauds. After becoming one of Dumbledore’s trusted companions, after the events surrounding Voldemort attack to the Potter’s home, McGonagall starts to understand that some prophecies are completely legit.
Because Dumbledore, and basically the rest of ICW higher ups and world magical governments, have believed and watched over Kamui, from his birth to his development, to the fact that him and his mother disappeared, to his mother’s death, and the battle (if you can call such one-sided attack by the Other Kamui a battle) that leaves the world with a--pardon her use of word--malfunctioning Kamui who has sealed his power and unable to reaccess it (hopefully just for the time being), there is no choice but to believe.
However, looking at the young boy in front of him, skinnier than even Harry Potter, a young boy who wears vulnerability in his sleeves so well, McGonagall finds it very hard to believe that this boy is Kamui.
McGonagall can only see a boy who has lost everything, that he does not know anymore the point. Of stiffening his upper lips. Of trying to look stronger and braver than he feels. He is only there because there are people who prop him up, it seems, who pulls him this way and that way. Without them, he would have drifted off.
Unlike Harry Potter, who has been celebrity his whole life, nobody has pictures of Kamui Shirou. The ICW has carefully hidden it, fearful that somehow some Dark Lords will have a brainless idea to attack him--and therefore risking the Earth or humanity demise. So really, his appearance is somewhat shocking for the British wizards and witch.
But they successfully restrain from expressing themselves.
The next hour, the six of them conversed about mostly, what Kamui and Nekoi can expect from Wizarding Britain. The British Ministry of Magic has approved the use of translator charm for educational and socialization purposes for both teens; normally, they wouldn’t get the approval because use of such charm can be deemed as cheating. However, since the two are to be in Britain because of… special arrangement, of course they are allowed to use it.
Kamui and Nekoi are also to be fitted a wand and proper wizard and witch robe. Visit to Diagon Alley will be scheduled at later date, of course, once Kamui is feeling much better.
Dumbledore also try to broach about the treatment that they are devising for Kamui’s injuries, that apparently heal really relatively slowly. He wants Kamui to undergo the diagnosis and treatment first, before tours outside the safehouse can be scheduled. But, when there is no response from the boy, who kept to himself during the conversation, everyone look at Kamui, and find him sleeping, with his elbow on the table, and his head propped on his hand.
The wind gently blew through one of the open windows in the dining room, ruffling Kamui’s bang.
The four adults and one teenager watch the Kamui with baited breath.
It is obvious that he has had sleepless night, with dark bags underneath his eyes, and sunken cheeks. He has looked tired in his miniscule interaction with them, but like this, he looks exhausted--wasted even. His lips are chapped and opened a little bit.
“The one who represents God's will, he is to gather those bestowed with God's might. He is the one who acts for God's power and purpose... He who will save the Earth. But also the one who hunts God's will. One who hunts those bestowed with God's might... He might also.. destroy the Earth,” says Karen softly while looking at Kamui’s sleeping face intently.
A chill spread through those seating around him… it is sobering and baffling, that in this boy is entrusted such power and destiny.
“When Tohru Magami died from self-combustion, when Kamui first arrived in Tokyo, we are all very afraid of what Kamui will choose,” Karen continues in soft tone. “He was angry, lashing out to everyone he met. From our observation, he seemed to think very lowly about the humanity; it is understandable. Because no one knows who his father is, Magami-san and Kamui were ostracized by people who are ignorant of the prophecy. Magami-san decision, to leave the safety of Japanese magic community also has caused Kamui to be exposed to the brutality of non-magical people who refused to see them as fellow human beings.”
Dumbledore closes his eyes. In his mind eyes, he can see the young Tom Riddle and later Harry Potter. Both have experiences how horrible their fellow humans can be.
“Ms. Magami died to protect the Earth,” declares Dumbledore quietly. “She has been sacrificed, to prolong the life of this Earth, so humanity can continue living. Hopefully, while bettering ourself.”
“Eh?” Nekoi’s head swivels to Dumbledore.
Karen smiles at Nekoi calmly and says “That is one of the reasons why Magami-san chose to keep secrets from Kamui-kun. It is the humanity who demanded her life; someone who protected and cared for Kamui-kun, even when the whole world was uncaring of his existence.” Karen’s smile turns sad. “If Kamui understands about it, do you think he will choose to protect humanity?”
Nekoi takes few seconds to think carefully, then she answers confidently, “He will.”
Dumbledore and McGonagall both raise their eyebrows at that answer. Snape scoffs, and Karen’s sad smile widens to a brighter one.
“Kamui-kun has a bleeding heart,” Nekoi says. “He loves easily. He loves Kotori, and he loves Fuuma, even when Fuuma turns into… that. I am sure that he loves us, even when he is acting like he doesn’t care about us. I know that more than anything, he does not want to see people getting hurt because of his choices anymore. That is why, I believe, he will always choose humanity. And by choosing humanity, Kamui also will make sure to protect the Earth.” She offers her audience, who seems stun as they listen to her, an optimistic smile. “It is kinda weird, for people to force Kamui to choose Earth or humanity. In my opinion, only by protecting the Earth, that humanity can be saved. I am sure that Kamui feels like that too… although he has too much on his soul at this time to think clearly.”
Karen laughs brightly at Nekoi as Dumbledore and McGonagall let out their own chuckle. They all immediately quite down and check Kamui, who is still sleeping in the same position.
“Truly, Ms. Nekoi,” says Dumbledore warmthly. “Your bright presence is what we will need as well in Britain."
“Ehehehe,” Nekoi’s smile turns shy as she scratches the back of her head awkwardly.
The day is turning into evening as the sun gets lower on the west. Gentle breeze occassionally flows into the dining room.
For some reasons, despite the bleakness of overall situation in the world--with news of Dark Lord Voldemort rising and the refusal of Wizarding Government to confirm it, or of the resurrection of the Other Kamui in parallel of Kamui making his choice which heralds the End of the World as we know it--at that moment in time, a peaceful feeling envelope the six people in that dining room, as Kamui continues sleeping dreamlessly, unaware of people talking around him and about him.
TBC