Betrayal
Seventh year. (Part I)
When he was 17, many things happened in his last year, which he would remember for years... It all began with an extra credit potion class in December, some students took, to polish up their grades.
One of them was Shinichi, because he wanted to become an Auror of course and therefore needed a minimum of five N.E.W.T.s with no grade under 'Exceeds Expectations'.
Potions had always been his weakness, but this time, Vineyard-sensei had given them an especially difficult task. Like always, it was a very advanced and even dangerous potion if not brewed completely correct.
It wasn't even in the normal student‘s curriculum plan, but Shinichi already had given up on informing the sensei about this exact detail for years now.
She always took points from him afterwards for being 'a little know-it-all' and presented them with an even more advanced potion to brew the next time, just to be even viler, it seemed.
Sometimes he wondered, if the sensei would have made a better torturer at Azkaban or a prison guard, instead of a teacher...
The sensei went from row to row, her golden curls falling on her shoulders and her cold eyes flicking over every cauldron with a stern look, as they tried to gather the ingredients, weighed or began to cut them and started to heat up the water.
"Today we will learn how to brew a Repellent for Flesh-Eating slugs. The instruction is already in front of you. You won't find the potion in your average schoolbook, so don't even try to find it. You should have learned how to defend yourself from these creatures already in your sixth year in Defence Against the Dark Arts, but since the slugs have a high tolerance to fire, the repellent is more useful and therefore quite expensive."
It can also be used for torturing purposes, Shinichi added darkly in his thoughts, as he cut up his bloodroots. Heiji was equally bad in potions as he was. As if he had heard his thoughts, he smirked beside him and whispered under his breath: "I wish there was a repellent for her."
Shinichi barely controlled his grin, as the sensei walked by. He would swear the air became cooler wherever she walked.
"Remember the Repellent needs to be water clear in colour. If it isn't, you did it wrong and you will fail this assignment. The potion needs to be brewed very accurate. If not handled with care, the ingredients will hurt you severely, so act with caution."
She gave Kuroba a disgusted look, as she went by him, but he didn't look up from his concentrated handiwork before him. It seemed, he didn't even listen to her, already deep in concentration and determination. Sometimes Shinichi admired him secretly for being such a potions whiz.
It was a shame the sensei never gave him credit for it, even if he actually deserved it. Like with Shinichi, she clearly despised him, not only as a student, but also as a person and she never missed a chance to give him a bad grade. Vineyard-sensei's smile grew even colder as she watched Kuroba work.
Shinichi smirked a little. It always made her angrier, when Kuroba seemed to already know what he was doing and it rather pleased Shinichi, to see her irritated.
"The spittle of the Flesh-Eating Slug has a corrosive effect on both skin and plants. When you cut them up, you should wear your work gloves. And concentrate on your work in front of you...", she droned on.
Then it happened. As she went by Kuroba's cauldron, her hand kind of made a small movement behind her back. It was so fast, Shinichi almost didn't notice.
His eyes narrowed. Did she just... throw something in Kuroba's cauldron? Maybe it was a coincidence and her hand just moved in a weird way...
But then, everything went to hell in seconds. Kuroba's potion sizzled dangerously in front of him and Shinichi shot up from his seat.
"Watch out!", he called through the room, but the potion already exploded. Someone screamed. It was a girl's voice.
"Arresto Momentum!", the sensei shouted and the whole room and all movement kind of slowed down. But to everyone's horror, the damage was already done...
It wasn't Kuroba who got hurt though. It was Aoko Nakamori, who was always working at the table right beside him and had walked by, as the cauldron exploded. She was screaming and crying in horrible agony because of the wounds on her hands and arms that instantly bubbled up...
Shinichi still had her bone chilling screams in his ears, hours after the incident. After that, word travelled fast around the school and it was irritating him, whenever he heard the rumours that were spreading.
Shinichi also noticed, wherever Kuroba would go, everyone gave him cold, almost hateful stares and whispered about him.
Since he was a known prankster for years, everyone seemed to think it was a prank horribly gone wrong. As far as Shinichi knew, the healer in their school treated Aoko.
However, the healing process was said to be slow, required a special potion for treatment and he had overheard Sonoko talking about the probability that the wounds would most likely even leave scars.
Hakuba seemed to take the news especially hard. Shinichi even saw him and Kuroba arguing in the hallway to a shared divination class. Nobody seemed to believe it was just an accident for some reason. Shinichi still wasn't sure what he had seen, but he knew one thing for sure...
Kuroba knew what he was doing in potions. He was the best student in their class, as he himself always hated to admit. But most importantly, Kuroba would never create a prank that could hurt someone. Especially not Aoko Nakamori.
As he was doing his rounds at night as prefect two days later, he stopped short in his tracks behind a corner, as he recognized two voices arguing with each other.
"I'll expose you", Kuroba growled dangerously and Shinichi's eyes widened in surprise.
"No, you won't, you stupid little boy. Did you forget who is in charge of brewing Miss Nakamori‘s healing potions? You know, the healing process can be a very slow and painful one, if the potion isn't done just right."
That was Vineyard-sensei. But the way her voice trickled down with hatred and cold sarcasm... What the hell? That was clearly not a normal dialogue between a teacher and their student.
Shinichi put a silent disguise charm on himself and peaked around the corner. Kuroba was standing with his back to him, his hands were balled into fists, as if he could barely hold himself back.
"Damn you, you old hag, I warn you-", he hissed. Shinichi had never heard him this angry. The blonde woman smiled coldly.
"Tsk tsk. No. I warn you. Stop already what you think you're doing and just keep your head low. You're lucky, if you don't get expelled tomorrow. But we'll see about that."
Her smile grew into a maliciously smirk, as she threw her long blonde hair over her shoulder. With that, she turned and her heels clicked away on the wooden floor.
Kaito rounded the corner fast and was so out of it, he didn't even notice Shinichi as he bumped into him. Shinichi ended the spell.
"Hey-", he began and Kuroba threw him a heated glance as he recognized him.
"I don't have time for you right now- leave me alone Kudō", he snapped.
"Kaito wait."
He stopped in his tracks, but kept his back turned to him. Shinichi had never called him by his name like that. But this was important...
"What is it?", Kuroba pressed out.
"I believe you."
That made him turn around. His eyes were wide with surprise.
"... what?"
"I said, I believe, you didn't do it."
Something crossed Kuroba's face. It was a fleeting emotion and too fast gone for Shinichi to read it.
His eyes hardened again though and then he looked away again. He is putting up his usual poker face, Shinichi thought disappointed.
"Why?", Kuroba asked flatly.
"Because I know you. You never would do something that hurts others. It's like your rule number one. Your pranks are just that... pranks. They aren't intended to harm anyone. Especially not Aoko, who is like a sister to you."
Kuroba smiled humourlessly.
"You really figured me out, huh? Thanks... that's... I didn't expect that... coming from you."
He turned around again.
"Wait- but... What are you going to do now?"
Kuroba sighed. It sounded like the weight of the world was lying on his shoulders.
"Nothing", he answered in a cool tone. Shinichi frowned. No, that wasn't right.
"But- the way the sensei just talked to you- Vineyard. She's behind it, isn't she?", Shinichi asked tense.
Not only that, judging from their dialogue just now, he thought intrigued. At first, Shinichi wasn't sure what he saw in that classroom, but after this exchange, he was almost sure Vineyard had staged the whole accident by throwing something in the cauldron.
The burning question is... Why? Why would a teacher harm a student in such a way on purpose? Even if it were an accident, no teacher in their right mind would blackmail another student to cover up their mistake... No, there is something else going on and I need to know the exact details of what is going on between Vineyard and Kuroba. If Aoko was harmed on purpose and is now held over his head for blackmail, the real target definitely was Kuroba. Vineyard wants him expelled for some reason... I just don‘t see why yet. But Kuroba definitely doesn‘t trust me enough to tell me his side...
This irked him more, than he wanted to admit. Kuroba narrowed his eyes at him, clearly furious.
"You shouldn't eavesdrop Kudō. It's impolite and that's none of your business, okay? Just stay out of it. For once in your life... Mind your own damn business. I mean it."
He turned to go definitely this time.
"But you'll get expelled!", Shinichi yelled after him.
Kuroba whirled around.
"I don't care!", he spat back, fire in his eyes. Shinichi flinched back. He had never seen him so out of control or mad. Kuroba wasn't a person who got angry or shouted.
It shocked Shinichi to his core. He knew, whatever was going on, it was driving Kaito desperate to act like this...
"You don't mean that. It's not right", Shinichi countered and shook his head. Kuroba sighed frustrated and ruffled through his hair.
"Kudō, I swear- just... stay out of it. Please."
He turned away and mumbled something under his breath while he left, but Shinichi heard it anyway.
"... I can't worry about you too."
Shinichi ground his teeth. Like hell, I will stay out of it...
The next day at lunch, Shinichi 'coincidentally' overheard the teachers talking about the meeting between the headmaster, Kuroba and Vineyard-sensei.
He didn't know what he would do exactly, but he began to ran, until he reached the headmaster's office. Without waiting for an answer after his quick knock, he stumbled through the door, gasping for breath.
"Wait!"
All eyes in the room looked surprised at him. He felt himself blush furiously.
"Shinichi- what are you-", Headmaster Agasa began, but Shinichi held up his hand to stop him.
"It was me."
The words stumbled out of his mouth in a rush and Kaito stood up as if the seat had bitten him. In his eyes was fire again, it was obvious he was clearly against this plan.
Shinichi threw him an equally heated look, like he wanted to say 'Just shut up you idiot and let me help you, damnit'. Shinichi tried to catch his breath, it made the talking harder, but he continued.
"It was our stupid rivalry... Kaito and me- I mean- Kuroba-san and me, we had this... thing, for years now. He just keeps getting on my nerves with his stupid pranks all the time. It was kind of revenge for all these years. I threw in the beetle eyes, because I knew they would be hard to detect, but I didn't comprehend it would have this severe effect... I'm very sorry for what happened to Nakamori-san. But don't punish Kuroba-san for my mistake, please."
The room was dead silent. If Vineyard knew he was on to her and that he had seen her, she didn't acknowledge it. She must have though. Only she knew it actually were beetle eyes. And now she knew, he knew it too. Headmaster Agasa seemed to have mixed feelings.
"Well... This is the first time I heard about this. I must say, even though I'm very upset to hear you would do something dangerous and stupid like this Kudō-kun... I also admire your honesty. Thank you for finally bringing this to my attention."
"But headmaster-", the sensei tried to intervene. The headmaster threw her a silencing glare.
"Vineyard-sensei. I understand where your concerns are coming from, but everybody deserves a second chance. Especially a bright, young student like this one... Kuroba-kun, I hope you do take this chance seriously. But for now, you won't be expelled of course."
Kuroba's face lit up. His whole body language spoke of relief.
"Headmaster, can I-", she began again.
"I'm sorry, Vineyard-sensei. I want to have a serious talk with Kudō-kun now. We have to discuss his punishment. You understand. You both can go."
The sensei looked like she swallowed a lemon.
"Yes, headmaster", she pressed out through clenched teeth.
"Thank you... Headmaster-sama." Kuroba bowed in respect before him and he and Shinichi looked at each other intensely, as he walked by, then both of them left the room.
But there was also a little smile in the corner of Kuroba's mouth as he had left. Shinichi counted that as a win. As soon as the door was closed, headmaster Agasa spelled the door heavily with secrecy charms.
He sighed as his warm brown eyes were searching Shinichi's face with worry.
"Sit down please, you look like you are about to collapse..." The headmaster gestured to the plush dark green seats in front of his desk. Shinichi nodded thankfully and sat down where Kuroba was sitting just now. The seat was even still warm. He smiled a little to himself.
"What was that, Shinichi? What is really going on here?"
He looked up.
"I didn't do it. Neither did Kaito, headmaster."
The headmaster hummed in thought, nodding.
"I thought so already. I had my doubts about the Kuroba boy, even if he has a... flair for dramatics. But it's always in good humour, I know that. He never hurt someone before. And you of course, would never do such a thing, I know this with every fibre of my heart. I have known you since you were a toddler, Shinichi. You must know I care for you..."
Shinichi smiled warmly.
"I do. As do I about you Agasa-san. You've always been a very trusted family friend."
"I also know, to protect someone like this, while putting your own reputation on the line... This must be important to you." Shinichi blushed again and looked away.
"It is... I thought long about this whole incident. But it's better if I show you. Do you have a pensieve?"
The headmaster's eyebrows shot up in curiosity.
"Yes."
The headmaster put a stone pensieve on the table and Shinichi held his wand to his forehead in concentration.
"There are two memories. The first one is from the day it actually happened. I was sitting near them. And I think, I saw the sensei throw in the beetle eyes..."
The headmaster frowned deeply.
"That's a very serious accusation, Shinichi."
He nodded grimly.
"I know. That's what I thought at first too... She was our teacher for years. Why would she harm a student, just to get rid of another one? Then I overheard this conversation between the two of them..."
He put another silvery thread into the pensieve before him.
"It was a conversation between the sensei and Kuroba yesterday night. Please watch."
Headmaster Agasa did. It took him a while, but as he dived up again, he was pale.
"This is worse than I thought...", he mumbled. Shinichi nodded serious and put his hand on his chin in thought.
"To me, it's clear she wants him expelled. There is something going on and she's holding Nakamori-san over his head. Threatening her even. She is like a sister to him, so as long as she is in danger, he wouldn't ever risk her life. He won't tell us anything."
The headmaster nodded.
"I will see that she gets taken care of somewhere else. We will send her to a magical hospital here in Tokyo. Then Vineyard can't threaten him with her anymore and she can heal in safety."
"But what will you do about her now, headmaster? Shouldn't she be exposed? She should lose her position immediately."
The headmaster wandered over to the window, looking out, engrossed in his thoughts.
"You are still a student, Shinichi. Don't concern yourself with these things..."
Shinichi frowned and balled his fist. He hated being treated like a child.
"Please don't do this. I'm seventeen, you know what I'm capable of! This isn't right, headmaster... Unless...-"
Something crossed his mind and wheels started to turn. All the strange events over the years, the accidents he could never explain... The headmaster turned around.
"You knew about her, didn't you? All these years..."
The old man sighed heavily, lowering his head in guilt.
"I've had my suspicions of course. For years now. Nevertheless, this is dangerous business, Shinichi. Please let us handle her. I promise you, as soon as I can, we will give her over to the ministry... but not yet. We still have to wait, just a little longer. But be assured, it will be handled. In time."
Shinichi bit his lip in frustration and deep thought. He had said us and mentioned the ministry... which meant she was under surveillance already. But if they categorized her as that dangerous... What else did they need from her to put her away? What were they waiting for exactly? Why were they keeping her in place, near students she could obviously, seriously harm? Knowing these high stakes, she must be very important for some reason. He made a decision.
"I will keep an eye on her. She won't get away for this", Shinichi said determined. The headmaster smiled proudly at him.
"I didn't expect anything less from you, my boy. Until then..." He put the silvery threads of memories into two little glass vials in front of him.
"We will have to keep this a secret between us. Please trust me with this."
Shinichi nodded grimly.
"I understand."
A week later, Shinichi was making his rounds as prefect at night once again. It was near midnight, when he heard suspicious sounds and hushed voices in one corridor on the fifth floor, so he followed them.
A door shoved close and the complete silence that followed made his ears pop. A silencing charm had been cast. Shinichi smirked and casted silently an Appare Vestigium to make the magic used visible.
He followed the golden, sand-like trail to a sliding door, and then opened the doors vehemently with a triumphant: "Ha!"
But then...
"Oh- um- sorry", he mumbled, his head completely red from blushing furiously and turned around on his heels and closed the door pretty fast again.
"Kudō!? Wait-"
He didn't wait and he didn't stop. He turned and walked away quickly, all the while, his thoughts were in chaos and his heart was beating treacherously fast. He didn't know why he felt so...
Normally he should have taken points from both of them, but- his brain had registered who it was and just... shut down. Why did he have to see that? And why of all people did it have to be Hakuba kissing Kuroba against that wall?
He didn't even know they were- that Kuroba was- they were looking so... He hissed a curse and bit his lip. He tried to get the image out of his head, but couldn't.
The way Kuroba had looked, all dishevelled and his lips red from kissing another person hungrily...
Suddenly he felt like someone hit him in his stomach. Hard. Something hurt.
Why did he feel like that, damnit? It was so stupid... What was wrong with him? It was just two people kissing... They were all teenagers, full of raging hormones, for god's sake.
He had kissed Ran so many times now over the years, he couldn't count it anymore, even if he wanted to. He had probably looked the same oftentimes. It was only natural... it's what people did, when they were in love after all. And they both could do whatever they wanted.
Then why the hell was he- He sniffed and angrily rubbed over his eyes. He stomped up to his room, laid down in his bed and tried to sleep.
The next day, he asked Ran to the winter ball and avoided looking at Hakuba or Kaito at all costs...