Chapter 2
Harry shifted nervously as he waited in the dining room with Aki. The two were hand in hand pressed close together. They had been sent their yearly packets and would have to open it to see their schedules, classes, and for Harry, dorm assignments.
“What if we aren't even in the same dorm house?”
Aki smiled, “Harry, it will be alright. You worry about everything. Look at me.” He took Harry’s face in his hands, “Even if our dorms are clear across the school I will still come see you every day. We may even share some of the same classes. Do you remember the aptitude tests? You have elemental aptitude so we will most likely have that class together as well.”
Harry nodded and sat down on one of the cushions, “I had aptitude for a lot of things according to them. Is it true we have to take more when we get older?”
“Yup, fifth year. That's when you can begin taking more advanced studies like Necromancy, Soul Magic, and other things that require a full grown core.” He sat next to Harry smiling, “But you said you were interested in Potions or Magizoology. You could even do both honestly.”
The younger leaned back and set his packet on the table, “Yeah. Dad already let's me explore what I want in both subjects. I heard he already forwarded a potions lab set up for me.”
“Oh Father is ecstatic that you're excelling in Potions. That was his focus in school.”
“It was?”
“Oh yeah, except he focused more on Poisons and Antidotes. He was trying to find a cure for the Zhen curse. But, there is no cure. Not really.”
“For Grandmother?”
Aki nodded, “Yeah. He was hoping to find a potion alternative to the toxic berries. One that would poison a potential mate. Or an antidote to combat it. But whatever the berries do to a Zhen’s biology can not be replicated.”
“Indeed, but maybe in the future.” The soft tones of their father spoke behind him and he stepped fully into the room and over to them. Embracing them tightly, “Hibiki has his and we are ready to begin the family tradition of opening school packets. Then tomorrow it is to the markets for books and other supplies for last minute packing.”
Hibiki grumbled as he sat at the table slapping down a larger packet, “I hope I got into the program I wanted.”
Sayuri was behind him grinning, fangs in full display as he gripped his brother's shoulders, “Well, you are having to repeat a couple classes due to last year's explosive conclusion.”
Harry and Aki snickered as the teasing as their father walked around the table and sat as well, “Alright boys. Hibiki you go first.”
The second eldest nodded and opened the packet and began pulling out the sleeves of papers. Some labeled test results and other things. There was a full campus map and lists of supplies for subjects. “Well I got passing grades in everything except potions.” He groaned and showed the failing grade. “They took the explosion into account. I have to retake it and take remedial lessons as well.”
The eldest shook his head, “Maybe they will let our little brother tutor you?”
Hibiki growled and took a swipe that was easily dodged, “He will be busy with his own schedule.”
Harry flushed and ducked his head, “Did you still get into the program?”
The elder flipped through a few packets and grinned, “I did! I got my apprenticeship!”
“That's amazing, what is it in?”
Hibiki grinned down at his youngest sibling, “I am wanting to get my mastery in the Mental Arts. I want to be a mind healer. So I can help people that have gone through trauma or other things.”
The youngest flushed, “So you will be helping people.”
“Hopefully in the future, yes. It isn’t as boring as what Aki wants to do.”
Aki glared, “Hey! Arithmancy and Runes are perfectly acceptable masteries.”
“If you like scribbling equations and making your brain hurt” Hibiki muttered, “Anyways, go ahead and open your packet Aki. Your next oldest.”
Aki rolled his eyes and opened his packet before looking it over, “I got into everything and got perfect scores in all but divination. Which I will be dropping this year.” He showed the results to his father before looking at Harry, “Your turn little brother! I can’t wait to see where you got placed.”
Harry fidgeted in his seat as he opened the packet and looked through it. The welcoming letter, map, and manual came out first and he set those to the side before pulling the schedule over, “All the basics, elemental studies, introduction to higher magics, and creature studies. I thought that was a third year course?”
His father chuckled, “I talked to the Headmaster, you are starting it a year early. He agreed you would do well in the class.”
Harry smiled and compared his classes to Aki, “We share a few, but I am in a different block for the others. I also don’t have divination. So we share a study block.”
Aki grinned and draped his arm over the other’s shoulder, “We will get to hang out and study together too! Now see what dorm you are in.”
Harry pulled out the secondary envelope and opened it, “I am in Dorm House Seven. The Cascade Room. My roommates are Adrian Havok and Aarav Mora.”
Aki jerked back, “Havok? You were put with one of the Havok brothers?”
Green eyes blinked, “Is that bad?”
Hibiki shook his head, “No, not really. Havok is a coven name. He is a vampire. But the Havok clan are known to be a bit more temperamental.”
“You mean insane. Or do you not remember what Andrew Havok did last year.”
Harry shivered, “Well, I just have to be careful right? Now to irritate him. I am sure I will be fine. Just because he is from the coven doesn't mean he is like the others right?”
“Well no, but Harry please be careful. We can teach you a ward that will not allow him to enter your room as well. I wouldn’t put it past a Havok to sneak a snack off a room mate.” Aki growled.
The other shifted nervously and looked to his father who looked to be in thought before he smiled softly at his youngest, “It will be fine Harry. The headmaster wouldn’t put you with someone who would hurt you out of spite. He isn’t the kind. If he thinks Havok is a good fit for the dorm then he most likely is. But I agree with Aki, we should teach you the warding spell. He wouldn’t be going to school if he couldn’t control his hunger. But things happen so it is best to keep accidents at bay.” Then stood and walked over, “Don’t worry Harry. You will be just fine.”
Then Sayuri spoke up, “What was the second dorm mate?”
Harry lifted the paper, “Aarav Mora.”
The eldest frowned, “Mora, where have I heard that name before.” He leaned back against the wall with a claw tapping at his knee, “Oh! Mora. That is a powerful family from India. They specialize in Herbology most of the time. It is rumored they are creature blooded but no one has been able to prove it. They normally don’t leave their home country.”
Aki snorted, “Then why is one suddenly transferring to Japan?”
Sayuri shrugged, “Who knows but Little Feather won’t have a single thing to worry about from a Mora.”
Now Harry was staring at him, “Why?”
The eldest grinned, “You will see little brother. Don’t worry.”
Harry nodded and looked through the last of the paperwork, “So many books and supplies. Wait, most of these say fresh. How are we supposed to have fresh ingredients while at school.”
Hibiki spoke up, “Some students grow their own but for those that dont the campus has its own green houses the students can harvest ingredients from. We are also allowed to the market once a month that is close to the school.”
“Oh, I like gardening. That sounds like fun, growing my own.” He set the list down and leaned back into the cushion. “So we go shopping tomorrow?”
“Indeed, and now that I know you're interested in growing your own, we can work that into it as well. Get you some books on gardening and harvest. Plant care.” Hiroto kissed the top of both his youngests’ heads, “Alright let's have dinner and then off to bed early. Even you Sayuri. You will be in charge of the morning clan meeting tomorrow while I take your brother’s shopping.”
Harry giggled as the eldest gave a long suffering sigh as he flopped onto one of the other floor cushions.
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The next morning the four Changs stood at the entrance of the gate with three guards around them. Hiroto smiled down at his three children, “Alright. Hibiki, I want you to stay close to Aki. Harry you stay with me alright? We will stay together most of the time but just to be sure make sure you stay in sight of a guard. There is one for each of you.”
Harry nodded and looked at the three. They were dressed in normal clothes for the moment. Slacks, button ups, and each appeared to have no weapon but Harry knew that they did. They were all dressed similarly as they were going to a magical market. Totori Alley. He remembered his dad talking about it once before but this would be his first time seeing it.
He shifted nervously and reached up to hold his dad’s hand and got a gentle squeeze in return. Yasu was at his side panting happily with his service harness on. The pockets had some spending money and other things in it for Harry, or even for Yasu. He reached down and gripped the handle on the back of the harness as well. Then a pop and they were being squeezed and pulled at the same time before landing hard on a floor surface. Harry wavered in place groaning. His black hair turning green as he partially draped over the large canine.
A soothing hand rubbed his back, “Deep breaths Harry. It will pass.” The gentle care helped the nausea fade and slowly his hair fell back to its normal black color.
Aki smiled softly at him, “You really do have a bad reaction to magical transport. Look at Yasu, he hasn’t budged an inch while you lean on him.”
Hitori laughed softly, “Yasu is very smart and is Harry’s familiar. He will know what Harry needs and will protect him as well. That is why we have that harness on him. It helps him help Harry.”
Harry nodded and stood a little straighter, “Like a muggle service animal.”
“Exactly. But even more special as you are bonded for life.” The elder nodded and then took Harry’s hand again. “Everyone ready?”
Nods and affirmations sounded and the group set out of the room opening the door to a bright and colorful street filled with shops and vendors. Unlike Diagon Alley the shops were more open, less buildings and more stalls and tents set up in rows around a central hub for food and conversation. Harry looked around gasping at all the sights. It was easy to tell how open the community was compared to Britain. He could see creatures and wizards standing side by side. A small group of kids playing with a quaffle in the streets, kicking it about like a soccer ball.
They walked along the vendors seeing the different wares for sale, bright colors and swirls of scents in the air. It was easy to get overwhelmed. Books were found at different shops and with the help of the magical baskets, everything was paid for and tucked in. Harry gasped in awe as he watched one man breath fire into the air making it swirl and take shape. It was more like a festival than a market. The day passed so quickly Harry hardly had time to fully enjoy all the sights and sounds of it. Even as they sat for food in the central hub, his eyes watched and took in as much as it could.
“It's so amazing. So much to see, how do you catch everything in a single day?” Harry asked as he watched another group of performers.
Aki shrugged, “You get used to it eventually. But this is more performances than usual. It’s because it's the last weekend before all the students go back. They always have more of a festival set up to send the students off.”
Harry smiled brightly and watched as one of the performers came to their table and swayed to the music with a crown of flowers about his head as he swirled and smiled down at Harry. His bright translucent wings shimmered in the afternoon light and Harry clapped for the fae.
The fae smiled at him and gave a little bow of his head before blowing a small hand of petals at Harry and dancing off.
“A fae blessing. Of course Little Feather gets a fae blessing.” Hibiki mumbled.
Harry tilted his head and then caught a flash of color out of the corner of his eye, “Huh?” He reached up to feel flowers and vines weaved into his hair. He turned to his dad who waved his hand to hover a magical mirror before him. Green eyes taking in the bright vibrant flowers that now framed the hair sticks he had chosen to wear, the feathers fanned out between the two sticks now accented with the sweet scented flowers, “Oh wow.” One bloom in particular stood out just over his ear and he lifted a hand to touch it eyes going wide as he carefully pulled it off and stared at it, “It's made of glass?”
Hiroto shook his head, “No, it is a real flower. It is called Fae’s Kiss. They are an eternal blossom that only a fae can grow using their magic. It’s a high honor to receive one. A blessing. It will never break, never die. It can never be lost or stolen.”
The young wizard smiled and brought it to his nose and breathed in the gentle scent. It smelled like a mix of lemongrass and lavender. Soothing to the senses and he gave a calming sigh. “It’s beautiful.”
Aki laughed, “My little brother is the coolest.”
The others laughed and soon they were finishing up their food and rejoining the crowd to shop for the last of their things. Harry stopped to buy a couple hair pieces as he went and then again as a stall selling small mystery boxes and he found his curiosity had him buying 2 of the trinkets.
Soon though they found themselves heading home and Harry hummed the bright happy music that he had heard in the hub. It had been an experience he would remember for the rest of his life.