Trip Down to Harveston
“Hello Harveston~!” Yuu breathed, taking in the crisp air as he exited Crewel’s convertible with a smile. “Cozy cabin days and fresh apple pie…amazing way to spend the new year!” He threw his hands up into the air with glee, all the while his father looked at him in fondness.
‘Oh have to agree,” Crewel hummed, coming up beside his adopted son as the others began to pull up or show up from the rented mansion that they all pitched in to have. “And away from those fuckers too,” he grumbled.
“Yeah, about time…I couldn’t enjoy the fall holidays because of…nothing, nothing. It’s time for some pie! Luna is taking care of Grim for me and the ghosts are informing me of his condition daily so I can relax,” Yuu placed his fists on his hips, standing proud before the main road as Epel and his Gran approached.
‘Well, well, you're ready for a break,” the teen snorted, Jack and Deuce not far behind. “Vil has been making our lives hell for the past two days since samples have been given and he wants all of us to see them.”
“We are going to be faces of the brand,” Yuu reminded them, all of them walking toward the manions where various members of their group and respective families were waiting.
“Yeah, yeah. I wish I said no now, but the money is going to help the folks here so it’s not too bad,” Epel snorted. “And even worse…”
“YUUUU-CHANNNN!!!”
“OOOFFFF,” Yuu grunted as something small, furry and very powerful rammed into his middle sending the younger boy sprawling at his father;s feet.
“....Lord Cheka,” Zazu sighed, rushing over with a short breath while Urbi followed at a more relaxed pace.
“Hello Cheka, Hello Zazu, Hello Urbi,” Yuu commented, not moving while Cheka proceeded to squeeze him tighter.
“I missed you so much,” the 5 year old cheered just as his mother grabbed him by the scruff and proceeded to yank him off the boy.
“Cheka, we talked about this,” she sighed, looking disappointed all the while her son didn’t in the slightest.
“But I missed him mama,” he whined, Farena finally showing up alongside Leona who raised a brow at Yuu’s predicament.
“Hehe,” was all he got from the lazy lion who turned on his heel to leave.
‘Hello Yuu,” Farena smiled, offering a hand to the boy who accepted it with a grunt, allowing himself to be hauled up and dusted off by the king who offered him smiles all around. “Good to see you. I have heard a lot about your finals. Very good,” he gave the boy a thumbs up.
“Thanks,” he sighed, smiling as Cheka began to babble about wanting to see his magic and all other things.
“Most of the others are here. We are waiting for you Mer Friends,” Farena informed him, Crewel humming as he tuned into the conversation and followed the royal family as they made their way into the communal waiting room where all commodities were. “But aside from that, it’s been nothing but talk about the makeup lines!”
“I hope you are fine with me being part of it. I am not from Afterglow Savana nor do I have any connection to it-”
‘Bah! You will be with my brother and your friends from Savanaclaw! You're all good,” he assured the boy, moving them to some cushioned seats where Vil was going through a portfolio with his father and Rook.
‘Hello potato,” Vil hummed, Yuu rolling his eyes while grabbing a pillow to cuddle.
“Hello Mr. Manger,” Yuu shot back, Vil shooting him a dry look as his father snorted into his fist in an effort to stop his laughter.
“There he is! There he is,” Maleficent crooned, coming down the stairs making the air a bit tense.
They had spent the better part of two to three days with the remainder of the Seven and Ruler of the Briar Valley but she was still…
Intimidating.
‘Hello,” Yuu waved, accepting her cheek pinch with a grain of salt before smacking Lilia’s who had come up behind him. “One is bad enough,” he grumbled, Lilia pouting before floating back to his Son who proceeded to do the same.
‘I am not a toddler anymore,” he hissed, Lilia whining about how his children didn’t love him anymore. “Father!”
“You are advancing so much! Crewel has been sending status reports in case you do need private tutoring and it’s so good to see,” She took a seat beside Urbi who remained mostly unfazed.
“So you get special treatment on his magical schooling,” she asked, a bit possessive.
Yuu was a good friend to Leona and an all around nice boy to be around, Zazu adored him and Urbi saw his immense potential. Anyone with a brain would take a chance to nurture it and besides, he was still a cub in her eyes; so she was a bit attached.
“But of course. He is no doubt powerful and I have many connections to get him the best of the best,” Maleficent commented idly, others shifting back as the pure tension between them.
“I’m more focused on getting my original magic to stabilize at the moment. I can use my Pen and all that, but my original one isn’t the best…their spells drain me a lot and I have been working with Dumbledore to try and fix it,” Yuu sighed, looking put out as he informed them of his problem.
“Oh, how strange,” Urbi hummed, Vance coming up beside them with a nod as well.
‘I haven’t heard of that. A pen usually would stabilize one’s magic,” he reminded them all.
‘Yuu has a magical core, one that is flexible and malleable. A wand, which they use,” Crewel snorted, others raising a brow at the notion. “Is meant to be locked onto the core, strengthen it and provide stability to the young magic users. It’s also meant to solidify how one uses their magic, usually restraining it from having accidental bouts of magic and preventing them from happening anymore, Yuu is about a year or so behind the norm as hasn’t had that. It gets harder the older the child is, so he’s struggling a bit.”
“....How strange,” Maleficent commented in a quiet tone. “I also heard that wand’s are made in numerous combinations to find a user's perfect match?”
“...Yes. Dumbledore had to improvise and make one himself. It’s not the best, they say the Wand will Choose the Wizard. One wand suited perfectly to a wizard. He did the best he could,” Yuu sniffed.
“...Might I see your wand,” Maleficent held out her hand, Yuu removing his wand from it’s holster in his sleeve before handing the sleek pale ashen wand riddled with the design of thorns over it to her.
“Elder wood, 14 ½ inches, Phoenix feather core. Unyielding flexibility and a swishy texture to it,” Yuu recited, many turning their heads at the proclamation.
“Phoenix feather,” Jamil asked, unsure of if he heard that correctly. “As in the bird that is in a constant cycle of rebirth as hasn’t been seen in over 700 years?”
“...Apparently it’s his Familiar,” Yuu told them, Maleficent glowering at his wand before handing it back to him.
“I will need to have a talk with him,” She murmured to herself, Yuu sighing as he realized she had figured it out as well.
“Don’t,” he implored. “I have it under control.”
“...Very well,” she conceded, the room becoming silent at that, unsure of what was between the two. It was like that for a moment before Ace opened his mouth.
“...What can you do with an ancient thing,” he sniffed, obnoxious and bored all the while leaning on a beanbag before the crackling fireplace.
“...This,” Yuu waved his wand once, Ace yelping a moment later as his pants vanished hanging on the antler chandelier above them. He scrambled to grab a blanket as everyone looked between the pants above them and Ace.
It continued for a few moments before they all burst out laughing.
“Nice one,” Leona grinned, raising his brow as Ruggie snapped a photo of the pants.
‘You bastard,” Ace yelped, Deuce losing it beside him curled into a ball while holding his middle. He was turning an impressive shade of red while Trey was telling his siblings it was not a nice thing to do but the smile on his face didn’t really make the message stick.
“No words! Ha! That’s my boy for you,” Urbi was cackling beside him, slapping her knee while Maleficent looked like a proud granny, petting his hair all the while Ace was begging his older brother to either get his pants down or get him a new pair.
‘Hell no. You can make a skirt and get one yourself,” Kwit snorted, sipping his beer while his parents ignored their son to speak with Deuce’s mom.
“DUDE!”
“Glad at least someone is torturing you like a good friend,” Kwit raised his beer to Yuu who gave a thumbs up to him and a middle finger to Ace who looked all around offended. “Keeps you humble.”
“Oh fuck off,” Ace yelled at his brother.
“Yes, yes! Very nice,” Lilia snickered, having recorded the whole thing. Ace looked ready to kill everyone in the room, but then remembered he had no pants.
‘Man, fuck you guys,” Ace whined, covering himself as Trey told him he’d get him a new pair. “At least Trey-Senpai is being nice.”
"You do realize he is so going to hold this against you when he needs a favor right,” Cater reminded the boy, smiling as the others' smiles began to wane.
“Shit!’
‘That’s what you get!~” A few of them cackled at Ace who cursed them out again, throwing the pillows he had in his range.
Maleficent smiled, taking a good look around her and feeling…right at home, honestly, surrounded by all these people.
They still feared her, that much she knew with certainty, but with each day it was fading and they saw her as nothing more than a fellow guardian who appreciated the children and the fact they all befriended one another. It made her warm to think about how much this group has benefited Malleus and even Lilia who has been so lost at the death of her Daughter.
This was very nice.
She smiled once more, eyes moving to Yuu who looked tired but not as worn out like he was after finals and thought back to the conversation that occurred after they had made him leave.
A WEEK PRIOR
“You called this meeting because you had something you wished to say to both of us,” she accused, the door having been shut tight as Yuu left to freshen up after Dumbledore informed him of his unstable core.
“...Yes, and you have already garnered an idea of it during our conversation about Yuu’s magic.”
“...How serious is this,” She demanded, slamming her staff into the ground and making the room rumble.
“...Not as serious as it was. I am sure that when you stole Yuu away-”
“He came willingly,” she grunted, Diaval rolling his eyes. This was getting old, but she was in the wrong in the end.
“You had noticed he was getting ill more quickly than most humans. I am sure that his illness also lasted longer than others, even Silver and his…questionable food he was given,” Crowley informed her.
“Indeed. Nothing we did helped. Even magically.”
“It’s his original form of magic, the magical core. It’s been unstrained longer than what his body can handle,” Dumbledore began, coming up beside the woman who growled.
“And what would happen if it was left unrestrained for the rest of his life?”
“....It…he…” Dumbledore pursed his lips. “It’s a very delicate situation and I have heard rumors of a similar…effect happening to those of this world.”
“...Blot,” she breathed, incredulous at his implications. “Is it similar to blot?”
“There are two forms it takes,” Dumbledore began. “One is when a young witch or wizard is forced to repress their magic core in fear of persecution. It becomes a parasite, leeching the life force from the young child and will never show even if they get a wand because they will never get one. They will seem human.”
“...Yuu is not like that. His magic allows him to make potions and fly in the air, even if he did not have a wand,” Crowley hummed, looking contemplative.
“The second form it can take is when the wand is not bound to a young witch or wizard allowing their magical core to grow all throughout them and affect their entire body. In doing so it can leech lifeforce from at a slower rate while providing a higher boost to the users power. It’s not noticeable aside from extra fatigue and more inclined to illness.”
“And how dangerous is this form?”
“More so, as if the person is not careful they can end up burning out their entire life force as they believe themselves to be getting more and more powerful,” he sighed. “Yuu is intelligent and knows his limits, but he is ambitious. He will not stop, I know this for sure.”
“...That is what the Mirror meant…”
“...I beg your pardon?”
“The mirror had spoken, before it was destroyed by Lilia because we assumed he would try once more to send Yuu back to his original world,” Crowley began, lacing his hands together. “It was concerning to say the least. His words…were…cryptic…until I began to piece things together.”
“How so? What where the words that the accursed mirror of Grimhilde spoke about Yuu,” she demanded.
“He must go back. If he cannot then I must bring forth those capable of teaching him. If I do not, his life is forfeit.” Crowley recited. “I thought he simply was referring to the spell I used to bring him here initially, but I have managed to get rid of that…so I had no idea what he was referring to. Until now.”
“Yuu’s original magic.” Dumbledore hummed, catching on rather quickly.
“It was killing him, but none of us knew,” Crowley confirmed, nodding while pursing his lips. “We all believed he was simply progressing faster than most, but even then he didn’t have control over his magic. Is there any reason for that?”
“It may be because of his natural affinity for magic,” Dumbledore hummed, going to pace with a hand on his chin. “I have not seen anyone with such a natural affinity for magic in all my years as an educator, nor as a political leader. He’s…a natural. It's as simple as that. But because he didn’t have a proper outlet, a wand, he was unable to access it until recently.”
“Is the use of a Magic Pen going to hurt him more,” Maleficent demanded, slamming her staff on the ground resonating through the room.
“I haven’t noticed anything. It’s stabilizing him more, but he is still unstable as he doesn’t have a good grasp on our magic yet. He’s too focused on this school’s magic.”
“Yuu doesn’t see it challenging enough,” Crowley shrugged.
‘Curse that boy.”
“The ambitious won’t waste their time on things that are lesser than them.”
“...Haaa, that boy,” Maleficent grumbled again, rubbing her forehead. “Always one to chase self interests.”
“Can you blame him? The whole world is seemingly open to him now and he’s going to take it by the horns,” Dumbledore smiled, stopping his pacing to stare at her. “But I am going to take measures to ensure that he doesn’t end up like so many others before him.”
“...There were many like him,” Dumbledore nodded. “Not as many now…but many children ended up hurt.”
“...I see.”
“He will be fine. But it will take some time.”
“...Did we make a mistake,” Crowley suddenly spoke, solemn and so unlike his usual self. “We’re we right to keep him here and endanger him?”
“And curse him to a life of longing and confusion, not understanding as to the why and wasting his life to come back?” Maleficent demanded, narrowing her eyes in warning before Crowley sighed.
“Perhaps…” Crowley murmured, rubbing his fingers over his eyes in hopes to stave off another headache he found himself getting more frequently. “Perhaps. We will be expecting reports. As well as…secery. Crewel already wants me dead,” he grumbled.
“You seem to bend to your staff very easily despite your power,” Dumbledore noted, hands clasped behind him as he took a few steps forward.
“...They are all I have in this world.”
“....I see,” Was all Dumbledore offered before nodding his head in goodbye, vanishing out the doors in the same moment.
“What are you hiding Crowley? I know you very well,” she demanded, turning on him with narrowed eyes that pierced his soul.
“...Yuu is developing Blot at an increased rate and while no negative emotions have aided in its accumulation, it’s faster than normal. I have tasked the Shroud parents with monitoring the situation. Yuu is under the belief he is to submit monthly blood tests to see his magic levels. But…his blot takes longer to dissipate than normal.”
“And you suspect it has something to do with his original form of magic?”
“It’s one theory. I have a few, but this seems to be the best at the moment.”
“I expect to be informed should anything arise,” she sneered.
‘I was planning on it. Yuu has…is someone of great importance to many of us. It was selfish of me to…to ignore the fact he was a human being with thoughts and beliefs like everyone else in NRC.”
“I don’t blame you,” Maleficent admitted, slouching slightly. “Old habits do die hard…I know that for certain.”
They stewed in silence for a solid moment before Crowley snapped his fingers, giving out an ‘ah-ha’ as he remembered something.
“Ah, yes. Young Yuu also tasked me with inviting you and Malleus to Harveston for the New Years Celebrations. He thought going somewhere together would be great. And Harveston is having it’s usual festivities,” he reminded her, pulling out an invitation that was gilded in copper, a color he had chosen from himself, and smelled of experiments.
That boy…
“I accept. It would be good to get away from the Court for a bit…and have some fresh crisp Harveston Apples,” she sighed dreamily, Crowley rolling his eyes before getting up.
‘I will be leaving for now. I have to speak to the teachers about distributing grades. You may go to Diasomnia or Ramshackle. I will warn you, post Exam Activities with that group gets…messy,” he smiled, waving her off before leaving.
“Tch! I can handle some rowdy boys,” Maleficent snorted, putting the invitation away before slamming her staff in the ground appearing before the Dorm of her Grandson’s Dearest Friend.
And she managed to move just in time for a ball to come hurtling toward her, a crash following once more as they began to scuffle on the inside.
‘YOU FUKCING CHEAT! GET OVER HERE LEONA!”
“Shut it, you're making my ears ring.”
“IMMA GET YOU!”
“FIGHT! FIGHT! FIGHT!~”
“Oh dear,” she whispered. “...Well, at least he’s having the normal teenager experience,” she rationalized before leaving.
She’d deal with them in Harveston.
PRESENT DAY
“Lady Maleficent,” Yuu’s voice broke her out of her thoughts, her eyes flicking over to the boy who was lounging on his chair still, unbothered by the screaming and profanities being thrown around.
Heh, a NRC student indeed.
‘Nothing,” she assured him, smiling to soothe him as he hummed in response, pursing his lips before nodding his head.
“Okay,” he nodded, moving to get up with a cat-like stretch. ‘Imma go and take a walk, maybe get some fresh pie. Do you want me to bring you some?”
Heh, the audacity of this boy. Speaking to her like she was his aunt…
She didn’t hate it, it was quite nice.
‘No. I think I will save myself for Granny Felmier’s pie,” she nodded, Yuu giving one back before calling out to his friends.
“I’m going for snacks, losers. They are mine and mine alone. Eat them and die,” he grunted, leaving with a swipe to grab his jacket.
“Get me something good to repay me for the embarrassment,” Ace yelled, having been attempting to smother Deuce with a pillow the entire time after Trey had gotten him so pants.
“...No,” Yuu stated bluntly, slamming the door closed and smiling at the protests that arose from inside the cabin. “Heh, losers,” he snorted, shoving his hands into the pockets of his jacket beginning the trek to the market that was set up and ready for the festivities of the next week.
The cold hit him like a truck in the next moment, making his sinus’ burn and eyes water at how dry and cold they were. His lungs were pierced with freezing temperature, making all the moisture within him freeze before he took a deep breath.
This was nice, he mused looking up at the bleak sky with a contemplative hum.
“It was a good idea to come here,” he murmured, almost halfway there before he felt something off.
The ground was no longer crunching under him and now that he thought about it he was becoming more in line with the sky than before-
“AH! WATCH OUT!!!”
A pair of hands grabbed him, his view of the world shifting to the right as something slammed into the ground and he in turn slammed into the body that took the brunt of the fall for him.
“Owwww….are you okay,” a soft voice asked, twinged with pain as Yuu looked up to lock eyes with some of the most beautiful eyes he’s ever seen before.
They were framed by frosty silver hair, his skin was twinged pink from the cold and his head was adorned with….Rabbit Ears?”
“...Sorry,” Yuu coughed, shifting away as the other sat up, rubbing the back of his head with a small laugh. He wasn’t that much older than Yuu. He looked to be about 14 or so, but with his chubby cheeks he looked younger.
“No problem! We had a recent freeze last night and all the water we used to clean the walkways froze over. We haven’t had time to set up signs,” he sighed, shaking his head before getting up. He proceeded to brush all the snow off of him, offering Yuu a hand that he took with a grunt.
“Your one of Epel’s friends,” he asked, blinking as Yuu nodded.
‘Epel said he was one of the few kids here. You don’t go to NRC?”
“Nah, I'm about 2 years younger than Epel. Just turned 13,” he smiled. “My name’s Thumper! Thumper Woodlands! I’m a Rabbit Beastman,” he grinned, teeth showing as his foot began to thump on the ground.
“...Yuu. Yuu Fujimaru.”
“Oh! I’ve heard of you! You work with Alchemy and Runes right! Have you thought about Botany,” he asked, crossing his arms. “I have some ideas about your distillation process and stabilizing reagents!”
“You work with plants,” he asked, blinking in surprise.
‘Yup! Me and my folks have a garden and have worked with plants to make sure all sorts of things can grow in this climate,” he grinned, winking before offering a hand. “I can show you…as an apology for the sheet ice,” he coughed, shrugging before giving a soft smile.
‘That sounds really cool! But…I would like some apple pie…” Yuu pouted, looking at the market.
“Me and my folks use our own apples as well as some berries we grow. A mixed berry pie,” Thumper offered, smiling as he saw stars in Yuu’s eyes appear.
‘Deal!”
“Ahahah! Came here for the pie I suppose?” Thumper asked, taking Yuu’s hand and began guiding him to his garden.
"And the sledding tournament,” Yuu hummed, looking around at everything.
“Ahahah! Epel’s team?”
“Damn straight,” Yuu grinned. “And we are gonna win!”
“Tch, sorry to burst your bubble but in the last few years it’s been me and my folks that have won,” he told the younger boy.
“Cause rabbits always win,” Yuu snorted, rolling his eyes while Thumper sighed.
"Always worth the Rabbit jokes,” he grunted, leaning down to unlatch the gate to his garden as they had gotten to it in record time.
“The ears make it easy,” Yuu defended himself, stepping past a gate into the well maintained garden where a variety of winter vegetabl;es seemed ready for harvest. “A…Warming spell,” he noted, looking around to see a dome of heat around them.
‘Might as well be safe than sorry,” Thumper shrugged, closing the gate. “Come over here and I can tell you about the plants I have been growing.”
“You make your own potions?’ Yuu guessed, moving in deeper to look at the plants closer.
“I mean…it’s hard to get potions up here because they might go bad due to the long trip. Better to have them ready for use,” Thumper shrugged.
“...Yeah,” Yuu nodded. “So, what is it you wanted to ask?”
“Oh! Well….”
“Okay, this isn’t funny,” Crewel blinked, looking outside a few days later as Thumper waved to an approaching Yuu. “This isn’t funny at all. I thought I had a few years at least,” he bemoaned.
“He’s cute,” Deuce’s mom, Della, smiled as the two began to walk off to the town again. ‘Besides, it’s nice for him to have a friend outside of this group hmmm?”
“Mom,” Deuce whined. “I’m his best friend!”
“Bullshit! I was his friend first,” Ace snapped.
‘Shut it.”
“Boys,” Della sighed. “What I meant was Yuu might enjoy someone in his age group! He might fit in well with you all, but that doesn’t mean all your likes will meld together!”
“....I still don’t like it,” Crewel grumbled. “He’s…okay, he’s not a normal kid but love is not something I am ready to deal with,” he snapped, looking stressed while Della shook her head.
‘It’s going to happen at some point. He is at the age where he is going to develop crushes you know,” she reminded him, crossing her arms as Crewel crushed his cup in his hand. “Besides, it might not be serious at all!”
“...I hope not…” Crewel grumbled, Vil narrowing his eyes before turning to Rook.
The Hunter raised a brow before nodding, murmuring about going to get some ornaments for his family as well as commissioning a leather quiver for himself, leaving with a wave.
Vance coughed, making Vil turn to his father before he sighed.
‘He…has had problems in the past with love,” was all Vil offered. “And it’s still coming after him til this day.”
“...And he hasn’t told Crewel or me,” Vance demanded, blinking as if he was offended.
“No, he’s been managing it, but his growing fame has been making…worse.”
“You younger kids,” Vance grunted, cracking his neck. “Make Yuu send me a history of the messages and we can make a case.”
‘He won’t. He wants to deal with himself.”
“He needs to learn that he’s a kid and adults are meant to handle stuff like this,” was all Vance told his son, patting him on the shoulder before moving to head up for a nap.
“Yeah right,” Vil sighed, hand on his hip before he turned to Jack. “Come along Jack. Let’s go get…well you know,” he sighed, looking at the younger ones that were rushing around in glee.
“Right,” Jack smiled, grabbing his wallet and waving goodbye to his younger siblings. “I am sure they will have some nice mittens and scarves.”
“I was thinking of some apple candy,” Vil told him in a hushed whisper.
“I mean, that’s a given…”
“Ohhh! How about a leather bag for your sister and a belt for your brother,” Vil asked.
‘That might be good,” Jack nodded, the two walking into town to the various stalls being set up. “I mean, the leather is usually good quality and my sister is sure to take care of it. My brother also needs a new belt!”
“Besides, I am sure they will make good reminders of this place,” Vil hummed, looking up to the clouded sky with a smile. “This was a good idea. I am having a lot of fun,” he admitted, Jack nodding in agreement as they walked into one of the various leather stores.
“So…you know that Absolem is still bothering Yuu,” Jack sighed, as they browsed the aisles.
“...You know too,” Vil breathed, a bit upset but not as much as it was Jack who knew.
“Yeah,” Jack nodded, showing Vil a bag before putting it back at the shake of his head. “Yuu is getting pretty pissed at him and is on the verge of storming RSA to beat him up.”
“Ha, as if he wasn’t banned after the stunt with the Magic Carpet and beating the shit out of Niege,” Vil snorted, showing Jack a belt with some vine patterns. After a moment they put it back, continuing their searching.
“He had it coming,” Jack shrugged. ‘And Absolem does too if he doesn’t stop bothering Yuu.”
‘I am worried the boy is going to wear down Yuu enough that he actually gives that gold digger a chance,” Vil grumbled, pulling out another bag before tossing it. “Yuu still has feelings for him and he is all that Yuu could desire and more. He’s intelligent, he’s charismatic and he has good grades.”
“I don’t think the good grades matter…but it doesn’t change the fact that it was Yuu’s first crush and now he’s showing the attention he’s always wanted.”
“That’s what I’m worried about,” Vil mumbled, looking distraught. “Yuu is intelligent, but when it comes to love he’s got a long way to go. Not to mention he can be a bit dense in matters such as this.”
“...Yeah, you're not wrong. I am worried about if this gets out to the media,” Jack grumbled. “Absolem is getting…impatient, according to Chen’ya.”
“Ah, Riddle and Trey’s friend?”
“Yeah, he’s more like an NRC student but his parents sent him to RSA,’ Jack sniffed, shoulders dropping as they found nothing for his sister and brother.
“You know,” the owner hummed, coming over with a slight hobble. “That we do take custom orders?”
“...Right, forget about that,” Vil sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose. “We would like a leather bag with the imagery of a wolf pack. Two adults, one adolescent and two children?”
“For a sister, I assume,” she smiled, turning to Jack who nodded with a blush on his face. “Would you like the same on the belt? For a brother?”
"That obvious,” Jack asked.
“They are excellent gifts. And…well, I do so like personal gifts. They warm my heart,” she sighed, placing her hand over her heart like she could feel it.
“Excellent. They will be Christmas gifts.”
‘Perfect! My son and I will make quick work of it, payment will be after the items have been finished.”
“Right,” Jack nodded.
“Where are you boy’s staying?”
‘The Manor up the hill,” Vil informed her, signing an invoice her son had produced for them. “Just leave a message on this number and we’ll pick them up,” he said.
‘Right! Enjoy your time here,” the boy smiled. “Have a nice rest of your day!”
‘You too,” they called, exiting the warmth of the store to the cold air that awaited them.
‘Now,” Vil coughed, eyes stinging from the cold. “What’s this about Absolem being impatient?”
“Chen’ya says he’s glaring and cursing at his phone more and more. And Yuu has been working on promoting the line more and more as we finalize everything and get ready for the photoshoots.”
“...Greta,” Vil bit his lip. “Make sure no one aside from yourself and Rook know of this. I don’t need the adults getting in on this. My father knows someone is bothering Yuu but we need to deal with this ourselves.”
‘...What happens when it gets too serious?”
“...Then we talk to my father and Azul’s. He’ll be dragged on both land and sea,” Vil informed his friend.
“...I can get behind that. Let’s head back for dinner,” Jack nodded, Vil opened his mouth to reply before he closed it, taking a deep breath before speaking.
“...Don’t say a word Lilia,” Vil sighed, looking up to see a bat with a stripe of pink in it. “I mean it.”
The bat simply blinked, opening it’s wings and taking off without a sound back to the manor.
“...Dang it.”
“Let’s go,’ Vil sighed.
Yuu grunted, stretching as he tried to loosen up his body from the training he had been doing with Epel, Idia, Jade and Sebek; the team being chosen from a chaotic game of rock paper scissors.
They where a fucking chaotic group at the best of times, and this was the result of their labor.
Sniffing he jumped onto his bed, moving to grab his phone he had tossed onto the bed earlier and frowning at the messages he had from Mockingbird.
Absolem.
I don’t know why you aren’t messaging me. I simply want to talk.
I know for a fact you haven’t blocked me because I see ‘read’ on the bottom of my texts. Message me back. I’m serious.
How much of a baby are you? I want to apologize and get together to talk. That is all I want! Can’t you give me another chance?
You cannot keep this on forever. I know that you don’t hate me. Cause if you did, you would block me but you haven't, so come on and let us talk like men.
You know I can and will go to NRC to make you talk to me right? I’m not scared of those goons and idiots you call friends.
Honestly, they are all idiots despite their so-called ‘intelligence’ just come to RSA already! Neige won’t bother you, I’ll be by your side!
You don’t answer me, I am going when school is back in session. I mean it.
You have until tomorrow, then I am going to commit to visiting NRC.
I am serious, just message me.
“Fucker,” Yuu sighed, tossing his phone off to the side, pressing his palms into his eyes to push back the headache that was coming through. “I hate him. I hate him. I hate him,” he breathed over and over, his breath stuttering as the rising of tears began to form.
Why was it when he had magic, that Absolem finally looked at him!?
Wasn’t his intelligence enough?
He seemed to like it well enough until he told him he was magicless and then he treated him as if he had some sort of disease.
“Fucking asshole,” he breathed before his phone buzzed again. He groaned, he did not want to deal with the barrage this asshole was sending him. Clicking his tongue he lashed his arm out, grabbing his phone only to see that it was Absolem messaging it.
It was Thumper.
Yo! Thanks for the tips on distillation! You have saved me so much time!
No problem. How are the rest of your experiments?
They are going good! My mom is also really thankful for the info you gave her on how to make preservatives last longer! She’s making you another mixed berry pie. I’ll drop it off tomorrow!’
Hell yeah. That pie is fucking heaven man.
I know, right? She saves it for Christmas, Birthdays and New year. The whole family takes advantage of this month since she’s more willing to make them now.
Valid.
Oh! Since the tournament is going to be happening soon, I was wondering if you wanted to make a bet!
Need I remind you I am from NRC? You should know the danger of making a bet with anyone from NRC.
Eh, I’ll take my chances. So, you wanna do it?
What are we going to bet?
Obviously, whoever wins the race wins the bet.
And what does the winner get from the loser?
A request!
Oh, you sneaky bastard! I’m in!
Bring it on Kid. Imma cream you and your team's ass!
Yeah, right. We’ll see about that. Later nerd, don’t forget my pie tomorrow.
Later.
Yuu groaned, tossing the phone to the side once more, moving to curl on his side before closing his eyes.
Thumper was nice, he didn’t seem to care that Yuu was basically a celebrity even if his younger sisters knew and freaked out everytime he hung out at his home. He practically beat his little siblings off of him and even scolded them for making Yuu uncomfortable.
He never asked about any of the celebrity stuff Yuu did, he thought it was cool he made makeup and campaigned for creative freedom between men and women; but all he cared about was his plants and cultivating his magic.
And Yuu appreciated it.
He was a celebrity for sure, and being around the town where many people were visiting and would gawk at him and his friends was a constant reminder.
But Thumper didn’t care.
One of the few people not from NRC who didn’t care.
It was nice.
He never asked for anything monetary, he never wanted an ‘in’s’ to the fancy stuff that Yuu was always being invited to, nor did he ask for any secret he hasn’t published yet. The wrist he;s done is asked if he should subscribe to the Alchemy Monthly, where Yuu was still sending in findings and they were being published.
That was the worst of it.
It was great really, better than some people.
Better than…
No, Yuu shook his head, shooting up to a sitting position.
Don’t think about that asshole!
Yuu groaned, curling into a fetal position as he tried to calm his raging mind before yelping, flailing around a bit as his phone went off with some annoying ringtone. He scrambled for it, blinking at the name on the phone.
Cottontail.
“What,” He gasped, answering.
“I fucked up,” Thumper gasped, the sound of hissing behind him. “I fucked up bad! What was the next step after steeping again?”
“...Are you serious,” Yuu laughed, falling back onto the bed, smiling brightly as Thumper moved to lock the door to his preserving room.
“Oh shut up asshole and help me,” Thumper pleaded and the whistling became a screeching. "Fuck! This is bad! I’m gonna go up like a cartoon!”
“Heh, Bugs Bunny,” Yuu whispered, remembering the old cartoons his father favored.
“What,” Thumper asked, panicking still.
‘Nothing, nothing. Okay what did you do again,” Yuu giggled.
As he laid in bed helping Thumper, he didn’t notice a bat with a pink stripe watching him intensely, the creature blinking before moving back to his master.
Lilia hummed as the bat reported back to him, foot tapping on the ground as Malleus was trying to learn crochet from Granny Felmier who was endlessly patient with the boy. Silver was in a coco coma, the older women taking to trying different recipes and the boy was too nice to say no to them. Maleficent was doing the same as her grandson, looking confused as Granny Felmier adjusted her hands once more, all the while Diaval was already finished making his fifth dragon for the staff at the castle.
“Oh, this is simply not fair,” Maleficent sighed, looking to her aide who looked up but never stopped. “How are you so good!”
“I am multi-talented, my Queen,” he smiled smugly, laughing as she scowled further.
Lilia hummed, turning back to the bat who looked at him with curious eyes.
“Thumper Woodlands…what are you planning?”
“You say something Lilia,” his queen asked, turning to him as he went feeding his familiar.
“Nothing,” he assured her, smiling brightly. ‘Nothing at all. Just checking in on our team!”
‘I don’t get why Sebek is so insistent on doing it. He’s going to freeze, get sick and make everyone worry because he has no constitution for the winter,” Maleficent snorted, going back to her attempt at a rose.
“Who knows,” Lilia shrugged as said teen came in with a sneeze. “Hello Sebek!”
“Hell-ACHOO!”
Oh, it was going to be a long night.
AT NIGHT RAVEN COLLEGE
Draco took in a deep breath, allowing the cool air to fully fill his lungs before exhaling it. He sat on the steps of the school, overlooking the island from his position. There was no snow in the school, but it was still very cold.
It felt nice to be honest.
His eyes raked over the small town below him, the lights in preparation for Christmas and the upcoming New Year festivity shining brightly in the darkness as he looked over them all with a wishful longing.
Ramshackle dorm, despite being empty of the main occupant, was decked out in massive festive cheer and had become a regular hotspot for Luna, Neville and the rest of the students that began to spend more and more time with Yuu.
Draco had wanted to go, but Yuu’s words from Halloween still rang in his ears.
“You don’t know what you want.”
Draco shifted, curling his arms around his knees as he stared listlessly toward the bright lights of the town and big Christmas tree they had set up.
What did he want?
He wanted his father to be proud of him, that was a given and that was not something he was ever going to give up on.
He also wanted to have the freedom to explore himself and his desires, to explore the world and all it had to offer. Muggle and Magical.
He already was distancing himself from his house, he deflected as much as he could and spent as much time as he could away from them, he spent as much time as he could in the library of the labs, looking over anything and everything he could get his hands on.
Oddly enough, the Night Raven students left him alone during those times when it was simply him and his curiosity. Sometimes they even gave him suggestions and help, when he was writing down something he wanted to do.
It was like they knew what he was going through.
“Luna and the others are really cool but they are so behind,” one of them, from Pomefiore, commented. “Look, a focus on magic is great and all, but it leaves a lot to be desired in the whole scope of things you know?”
He knows now, that for sure.
Heaving another sigh, he craned his head up to look at the stars and marveled at how bright they where.
Did Yuu’s dorm have a roof deck?
It probably did.
He really wished he could go and just work in peace in such a dorm, where there was everything and more and simply…create.
Create whatever came into his mind, like how the twins did with their pranks, Neville with the new potions and plants he was creating and even Luna with all her new spells and creations.
He wanted to do that too and he didn’t want to be bothered.
But he had house pride, and he had his family pride as well!
What a conundrum.
“Aren’t you supposed to be in your dorm, Mr. Malfoy?”
Draco seized up at the voice.
“...Headmaster Dumbledore,” he coughed, shifting out of his curled up position to look back at the man only to jolt as he realized he was sitting down beside him. “...Am I in trouble?”
‘Trouble? Maybe, should Professor Snape find you not only not in your room, but at the very edge of this school,” Dumbledore informed him with a twinkle in his eyes.
“...yeah, I know.”
“...I won’t pretend to know what is going on in your head, Young Draco. But I have some words of wisdom that I implore you to think about,” he began, taking in a deep breath.
“What is it?”
‘I am sure you are already aware of the changes that are going to happen very soon, when we return that is,” Dumbledore began, Draco’s hands curling into fist at the mention of returning home. “And I know you know, that I am not unawares of the happenings of the wizarding community, as I may make it seem.”
“...What are you going to do,” Draco whispered, scared.
“Nothing, officially,” Dumbledore assured him. “But I am being proactive in other things.”
“What other things?”
“I want my students to have the education necessary to survive in a harsh world. I also wish for those with ambition to take what they want and not be hindered by anyone or anything, should their ambitions be noble, to themselves and to the world,’ he explained. “I am sure you are aware of the tensions in both Gryffindor and Ravenclaw, with some..certain people.”
“Yeah…I am,” he nodded.
“And I know, you have distanced yourself from your house, taking to self study more often than not,’ he felt the headmaster shift beside him. “I won’t stop you, and the professors are far too busy to stop you. But I simply ask one thing of you. And only you.”
“...What is it?”
“I want you to want better,” Dumbledore informed him. “Luna and the Weasley Twins want better, and are being encouraged to want better by others. And I want the same for you. But that only happens when you want it yourself.”
“...Why?”
“Because you can see a whole world of possibilities that are available to you and simply need the initiative to reach out and take it. It’s scary, I know and it’s nerve wracking but once you take that first step and touch it…you will realize those feelings were unfounded.”
“Do you really think I can do it,” Draco asked, turning to face the Old Headmaster who smiled warmly at him.
“I do,” he patted him on the shoulder before getting up and walking away. “And I know others do too,” he informed him before vanishing fully.
“...” Draco remained silent, eyes roving over the bright lights and the people walking through the town, parents swinging their young children between themselves, teens on romantic dates and a myriad of friends laughing as they pushed one another.
Yeah, he decided, getting up with a sigh.
He wanted it badly.
Shoving his hands into his robe pockets, he turned to head back to the dorms before lights out was called; feet dragging on the ground as he walked down the cobblestone road to the school where very few lights were on.
He was stewing in his thought as he entered the Hogwarts area of the school, too lost in his own thoughts as his feet carried him to his dorms before stopping.
Voices.
Angry.
…Hermione?
“You are such an idiot, Ronald!”
Of course, Draco snorted.
Of course that idiot pissed off the truly intelligent one between them.
“All I’m saying ‘Mione is that you are messing with the wrong crowd! They are violent and right twats!”
“If anyone is being a twat it’s you! I am simply expanding my knowledge, like I always do,"Hermione snapped, Draco stalking forward to peer into the classroom where various students were talking in clusters. Hermione was red as she stood up against Ron, his sister and Harry. “I am just saying that their spells could be helpful to us!’
“‘Mione! They have tried to kill us multiple times, not to mention they hate our guts,” Ginny gasped, looking offended.
“Oh, have you forgotten we have acted like gits too! I get it, it was stressful and things have been…been…it’s been hard to manage, but the way we acted was way out of line,” she sighed, taking in a calming breath. “They have been nicer than they needed to be, their rough exterior made it seem like they were gits’ but we were too bullheaded to realize it,” she admitted.
“Nice? You call how they have been treating us as nice,” Ginny snorted, rolling her eyes. “They have been nothing but assholes with a superiority complex and they think we are nothing but idiots!”
“Well maybe if you stopped fighting them at every opportunity they wouldn’t think that now would they! They have mellowed out,” Hermione protested.
“Yeah right,” Ron scoffed, rolling his own eyes before crossing his arms. “‘Mione, they are not gonna change. They don’t give a damn about us and we have traitors in our midst!”
“...T…traitors,” she scoffed. “Ron! Luna is being far better at Ramshackle than she ever was treated by her dormmates! I mean…you found her shoes,” she reminded him, Draco blinking.
He thought that was just a rumor.
“Look, if she wasn’t all-”
“Do not even,: Hermione warned Ron, pointing her finger at him with a vicious glare. “Not only that, calling Neville and your own brother’s traitors? Are you serious! You know how Neville is! I am just….I’m happy he found someone who actually takes him not only seriously, but cna protect him!’
“Don’t forget you are the one who put him in a body bind our first year,” Harry piped up, finally speaking up after looking between the two in confusion for the entirety of the argument Draco witnessed.
“Uugghh! That may be true, but I have tried to be nice to Neville since then and have tried to be there for him too!” She stomped her foot, completely done with them.
“What about you, defending them and all this other stuff! What are you telling us, huh Mione,” Ron demanded, Ginny nodding beside him.
“I’m not dealing with this right now,” Hermione huffed, grabbing her bag before rushing out to the cries of her fellow classmates. Draco stumbled back, hiding in the shadows as she stomped out, huffing as she turned to head down to the dorms as no one came to follow her.
Huh, some friends.
And he told her just that.
‘Wh…what,” she gasped, whittling around to see Malfoy in the darkness, face scrunching up. “What are you doing here Malfoy?”
“...Thinking,” he admitted, his voice tired and that made Hermione blink. “I don’t want to argue. Not in the mood.”
“...Dumbledore spoke to you too?”
“...yeah,” he nodded, Hermione pursing her lips before looking back at the classroom and confirming no one was coming out.
“Wan…Want to go and speak to Luna? We have some time before curfew,” she whispered.
“...W..we do? It’s almost 10,” he reminded her.
“They don’t come back until Midnight, most nights,” she admitted, fixing her bag. “And now that Winter Break is upon us? Doubt they’ll be back soon enough,” she admitted.
“...Will she accept me,” he asked, looking unsure of himself.
“It’s Luna,” she shrugged. ‘She might not all be there, but she’s not naive or stupid,” Hermione reminded him, giving a soft smile. “Its worth a try?”
“...Lead the way,” he nodded, Hermione nodding before jerking her head in a motion to follow her. Draco did, jogging a bit to catch up and walk side by side with her; the silence didn’t feel uncomfortable; it was actually quite nice.
It was like that the entirety of their walk to the dorm where Luna was sitting in the Gazebo with hot chocolate and a blanket that no doubt had a warming charm placed on it. Her eyes lit up at the sight of them, offering them a wave before motioning them over.
“Hello!”
‘Hey Luna.”
‘Lovegood.”
“My,” she sighed, looking wistful. “So many Nargles around your heads! I am sure you're both pretty confused!’
“Yeah,” Hermione admitted, placing her items down and rubbing her eyes. “That sounds about right.”
“Yes,” Draco admitted, not ashamed at all. “Yes, we are…struggling.”
“I hope I can help,” she nodded, smiling brightly at the two of them.
And you know, they both thought, she might just.
Mockingbird was exploding.
Yuu had posted photos of his trip to Harveston, only halfway done at this point in time and everyone was frothing at the mouth.
There were only four photos, along with the tagline
A Royally Clustered Christmas Holiday.
The first photo was everyone doing some sort of arts and craft, it was all the Infamous 23 and what people could only assume was their sibling trying to make something with yarn and paper. All of them looked annoyed and confused as to what they were attempting, while some seemingly looked like they had given up, laying down as craft supplies attempted to bury them.
The second were the adults, and like the tagline said, many of them were royalty and dressed up in the ugly christmas sweaters you give out as gag gifts trying to crochet something. Lady Maleficent, the remaining of the Seven, was scratching her head as a mass of yarn lay in her lap as Vance, or to his fans Erik, showed off a cute taco to Della and Ace’s mother. The Al-Asims were looking through charms to add onto their own while the Vipers worked to make something intricate and cute for their children, charms scattered around them as well. Farena was whooping in joy as he had managed to make a GIANT mushroom, raising it to the heavens as his wife 's face palmed.
The third was the kids' dinner table, and if anyone from Yuu’s world would see it they would compare it to the Last Supper, but more chaotic and clustered. Yuu looked to be done with every single one of them, fingers laced together as he stared at them intently while some people screamed at others, some tried to shovel food into their mouths and others looked ready to tear each other's heads off. The smaller children were in the back, laughing happily despite the chaos before them, innocence really was bliss!
The fourth and final picture was the adults table, and hoo boy was it a hoot. Multiple drunk parents with bright red faces, laughing as they held up their glasses. Many laughed out loud, holding onto one another as others chugged their entire drink or held up their glass for more. Many of the royals seemed to give fuck all about protocal, looking to be yelling at the others with their own red faces. Maleficent herself was cooing at her grandson who was bright pink and looked mortified.
They had thousands of comments within the hour.
A certain some smashed their phone in rage, seething at the rejection that was so blatant before him.
Another laughed, excited for the tournament the next day.