Prologue
Harry grumbled as he looked around his room. It was almost the start of the new term and he was nervous about going. He would be starting as a transferring second year in the school with Hibiki and Aki. Hibiki was going in for his final year before apprenticeship and Aki in the same year as him. He had been taking his studies seriously. Learning all the subjects that were not included in the Hogwarts curriculum and with the help of careful tutelage he was much more ingrained into the ways of the magical and creature world. Aki, had taken the Summer to show him around and introduce him to his friends while also meeting Draco, Severus, and Lucius. It still felt odd referring to the man by his first name but it was nice having people he could trust. He traded letters with some of the people he had met in Slytherin. Even his mentor who always seemed to have a good head on his shoulders.
But now here he was wondering what to pack and take with him. He would be sharing a dorm with two others and though they got their own rooms, they shared a common room and small kitchen like a dorm. There was no guarantee who he would get for a roommate. The school was composed almost entirely of creatures or creature blooded. Very few wizards actually went to the school but that was fine with him. He had already packed his wardrobe and things he would need for the semester. Along with his favorite hair ornaments and everything that went with it. He was convinced to not bring the entire collection, which had grown significantly. Once members of the flock realized he liked to style his hair he would find random shiny ornaments, hair sticks, or other things on his window sill or delivered. His father had told him it was common to spoil nestlings so it was alright to wear and use them. But once he reached adulthood and was introduced then the gifts would stop unless it was a courtship gift.
He could wait on his stuff and maybe start packing for Yasu. Nodding he began going about packing for his familiar. Tucking things away in the smaller second trunk. Yasu helped by lining up his favorite things next to him wagging his tail. “Alright I get that you are excited. How about you grab your travel bed and bring it over to me?”
The inu woofed softly and walked over to the large dog bed and began dragging it over happily. Tail high as he dragged it next to his charge and dropped it then sat obediently waiting for the next order. His tail thumping against the tatami mats excitedly. Then he stood up on all fours, his ears pricked forward as he tilted his head.
Harry turned and smiled right as there was a soft knock on his door then opened to show the Tengu Patriarch dressed in his formal evening robes he had to wear to the council banquet. One he did not have to attend until adulthood. Much to Sayuri and Hibiki’s displeasure.
“Harry, I came to check on you before I left. Working on packing everything?” He stepped in and scratched behind Yasu’s ear gently, “Good boy guarding him.”
The younger one smiled and nodded, “Yeah. I wasn’t sure what else to pack so I started on Yasu’s stuff.”
The man smiled and pulled him close, “I can’t believe I am seeing another child off to school. You are truly a blessing on our life Harry. As for what to pack, don’t worry. If you forget anything I can have it sent to the school. One year Hibiki forgot to pack his under things. He was mortified.”
Harry laughed, “I already packed all that.”
“Then you are already ahead of your older brother. I fear he is slacking off on the packing this year again.”
Green eyes blinked, “Should I go help him?”
The man frowned and pulled him into a hug, “That is up to you but I am sure he would enjoy your company. Aki is visiting with Grandmother so he won’t be home till later.”
Ah yes, the only tengu that was not as accepting of him. Or more so the fact that he had not been blood adopted yet. But he wouldn’t be. They were not sure what that would do with the block on his magical core still and he couldn’t have that removed until he was at least thirteen so they knew his body had the strength to survive it. She was still polite around him but did not go out of her way to meet or be kind. Her Zhen blood is stronger than her tengu blood. He had been told every once in a while a Zhen was born in their line thanks to their ancestors. So she was a bit less accepting of outsiders. Harry had learned that while most of the flock was tengu, there were other birds mixed in as well. There were three main species of tengu, Karasu, Hanataka, and Konoha or Raven, Crow, and owl. The main branch was Karasu though others were in the flock. There were a couple veela, though rare. Harpies also lived in the flock, though they were a more recent addition. Their homeland had been threatened and they migrated to the Change flock for protection, blending in with them a couple hundred years ago. Then the last two were Leishi. Creatures of cloud and thunder from China. They had come to court within the flock and decided to stay.
“I will go help him then.” He smiled and hugged back tightly. His thoughts still clouded with all the new information that he had been given over the past few months.
“Good, I know he will enjoy that. Sayuri has already left, since the council wanted him there earlier than usual. As the heir he has many responsibilities.”
Harry frowned, “What if Sayuri didn’t want to inherit the flock? What would happen then?”
The man tilted his head blinking the blue eyes curiously, “Then it would pass to Hibiki, Aki, or You. We would never force him to lead if he did not want it. But despite his dislike and grumblings he is looking forward to being flock leader one day.”
The younger one nodded and adjusted his glasses a little.
“You do know you don’t need those anymore.”
Harry nodded, “I know, but I have worn them for so long. It is strange to not wear them. Habit.”
The man smiled and gently removed them, “I can understand the habit but it is also not good for your eyes. Even if your ability allows your eyes to adjust to it. How about I take them for now?”
“Alright. I guess I have to get used to not wearing them eventually.”
“Precisely and it means more people can see those beautiful eyes more easily. Such a unique shade of green. I fear trying to keep others from courting you early will be difficult.”
Harry laughed, “Dad, I don’t think anyone is really going to court me.”
“Of course they will want to. Harry, you are a beautiful and unique soul who deserves love and happiness.”
He smiled up at his dad and hugged him even tighter, “What about my mate though?”
“That is why I say you deserve it, Harry. You have a soul mate out there. Waiting for you. Maybe even looking for you even now. Courtships are sometimes how you find them. You won’t know till you meet them, my lovely child.”
He nodded and the two hugged again before the man had to leave to go to the council banquet. Harry was nervous and left to think and ponder on his own again but now he had a new reason to finish packing. Hibiki would be happy to have them there to keep him company. He quickly finished up and then stretched and turned to Yasu, “You want to come with me or head to the gardens for a little bit.”
Yasu huffed and shook himself before jaunting past him and took a left to the garden leaving a laughing wizard behind him.
He grabbed his robe and pulled it on before stepping out into the hall and turning to the right, walking along the smooth wood until he reached an open door and knocked politely.
“Come in.”
Harry opened the door and stepped in and just about wanted to turn around and leave. The normally organized and clean room was in chaos. Clothes were thrown about on the floor, wardrobe, bed and there were countless stacks of books and other things just strewn about the room. “Hibiki is everything okay?”
The male turned, even his hair was sticking up or falling out of the high bun on top of his head, “Little feather! Oh yes everything is fine. I am just not sure what to bring.”
Harry bit his lower lip to hold in the laugh, “As long as you don’t forget your underwear I am sure it will be fine.”
The look of horror that crossed the tengu’s face was priceless, “Did Aki tell you about that? I am going to dump him in the pond.”
He couldn’t hold back his laughter anymore and gripped his stomach, “No, dad did.”
The open mouth of shock sent him into larger peels of laughter as he took in his older brother’s face, “Father? Really. Well, I will have you know that mom once said that he came to class one day without his hair orange from a prank. He had to have it magically fixed.”
The laughter got louder as Hibiki now joined his younger brother. The two slowly came down from their high and Harry flopped onto the other's bed avoiding the strewn clothes, “So, how can I help?”
“Just being here is a wonder Little Feather. You finished packing?”
“For the most part. I am still not sure what to bring recreational wise.”
Hibiki nodded, “well your painting and drawing have come a long way. Your potion skills put mine to shame and I am older than you.” The older flopped next to him, not bothering to avoid the clothes and his form shifted as he fully relaxed and pulled Harry against his chest before wrapping them in the large black wings. “You do know that whatever you want or need you can ask right?”
Harry nodded and curled into his older brother with a soft sigh. “I know. This is my second new school. Honestly, I am a bit nervous. I know I will have you and Aki there.”
“Yes we will be there and you have met a few of Aki’s friends and they seemed to like you.”
“I know, but what if I don't make any friends of my own? Draco says transferring a year late may cause a bit of a rift.”
“Well for wizarding schools perhaps. But this is different. Some species don't allow their children to go to school until they are older. Or they transfer from homeschooling. You won’t be the only transfer student.”
Harry nodded and tucked his face against the other’s chest, “Is it true we keep roommates for our entire stay?”
“Yes. Your roommates don’t change year to year. I have known mine since my very first year. They are my closest friends. You will have a very unique bond with them. You will see.”
“How are they picked?”
Hibiki blinked, “Mostly by random. But the headmaster will sometimes pair people up based on species or study interests. For example it is very bad to place a vampire with a fairy. Fairy blood is like crack to vampires. The temptation would be too much for them. Also Werewolves tend to be grouped together since they are pack oriented. Sometimes you get a lone wolf or two. Elves are very particular about who they will tolerate. They hate loud noises and brash personalities. You read that book right?”
“Yeah. It was really interesting. I like reading about different magical creatures. Like Yasu and you.”
“Have you thought about what you may want to specialize in? We get to pick in our fifth year but it's never too early to start thinking.”
Harry frowned and sighed, turning a little to tuck closer and reached up to trace a hand along the dark feathers enjoying the soft grinding happy sounds coming from his brother, “Magizoology. Or something like that. Maybe Potions or Healing.”
Hibiki smiled, “Those are some pretty lofty career choices but I know you would excel in any of them. Maybe you can mention that to your dorm superior. They can give you a hand in looking into each path.”
“Dorm superior. That is the teacher in charge of each dorm house right?”
“They are teacher assistants but yes. Every dorm house has one teacher assistant living in the dorm house. They are always housed in the same dorm house so you can talk to them at any time. Every dorm house has four levels. The main level is a large common room for the entire house, kitchen, and communal study or play rooms. The second, third, and fourth floor are all split into 2 dorms per level. Each dorm has 3 students. The Dorm Superior is on the first floor in their own private room and office.”
Harry nodded, “So there are about eighteen students per dorm and then the Dorm Superior.”
“That’s right. But sometimes not all the dorm rooms are taken and sometimes, though rarely, a dorm may have 2 or 4. No more than 4. Usually that's when you get a set of twins. Twins normally are never separated, especially magical creature twins. They are soul bound tightly.”
“Oh! I read about that. Its said most twins or even triplets are magical bound to the soul. It's rumored they are the same soul as well. They share everything. Magic, mates, even emotions.”
“That’s right. That's why they are so rare. You can't split a soul without severe consequences.”
“Like the Horcrux in my scar?”
Hibiki tensed and the anger and fear in his gaze was visceral. “Yes. But you have to know we will take care of it.”
Harry nodded and let his hand drop from the feathers, “but… if I can’t get it removed. Would my soulmate even want me?”
The tengu gave a vibrating growl and rolled till he fully faced him, taking the pale face into the sharp claws, “Harry, if your soulmate rejects you for something like that then they don’t deserve you. Do you understand? You are a beautiful loving soul and anyone would be lucky to have you. Don’t let that thing taint your thoughts.”
Harry felt the tears bite at the corner of his eyes and he nodded, “I won’t”
“Good” Hibiki leaned forward and kissed his head before gently wiping the tears away, “Now, I believe you were here to help your disorganized brother pack.”
Laughter bubbled up from him and he nodded, “Let’s get you packed. Can't forget your underwear.”