Enlightenment
[3 September, 2004]
Friday started with his first 3rd year class and Light was- concerned, to put it mildly. His point of concern? Two Gryffindor students and one Ravenclaw.
The red-haired Gryffindor, Light came to know her as 'Ginny Weasley' during the introductions, stared at Light. A lot. Now usually, Light was quite used to stares of all kinds: infatuated stares, adoring stares, envious stares, judgmental stares, 'I want to rip you open and get into your mind' stares (that one was Ryuuzaki's). This one was a bit different. It was a 'I know you're a psychopath and am just waiting for you to kill someone' stare, if Light read it correctly.
Which was concerning, yet amusing, because Ryuuzaki, who had actual cause for staring at him that way, had never used it on him. Neither had Dumbledore.
Light barely stopped himself from staring right back and raising a brow in mock concern. Flustering his students and playing games with them was not his job. It was also below him. These were thirteen year old children, younger than even Sayu. Light had morals, lines he didn't cross even for those he experimented on and manipulated.
The second cause of concern, a Gryffindor again, was named 'Collin Creevey'. He acted like he was high on caffeine and walked around with a camera. Light wondered if Hogwarts had any student privacy laws set up. Or if Collin wasn't high on coffee and had ADHD. Light hadn't had enough time to come to a conclusion on that point. He would have to wait out the month and see what happened, and then bring it to the notice of his Head of House.
The third, a Ravenclaw only focused enough to introduce herself as 'Luna Lovegood' before starting to guess what type of Being Light was bonded to. When he refuted every guess as 'incorrect, better luck next time', she lost focus and stayed out-of-focus. She would scribble her notes, stare blankly at Light when he spoke and ask off-topic questions that she fully believed related to the subject in question.
In short, it was a class full of problem children.
"Why did you move here, Professor?" The red haired problem child smiled much too sweetly as she asked leading questions. "If you're as good as you say, then you could have gotten a job in Japan. Unless there's something you're not telling us?" Light smiled back just as brightly.
"Because I love travelling," he answered back with fake, saccharine sweetness. "And you all, of course. If you have knowledge, then it's your responsibility to let others light their candles at it. I couldn't possibly bear to leave you all in such abject darkness." He could tell the rest of the class got it that he was joking by the giggles that went around. Ginny Weasley scowled. Light maintained his smile.
The silver haired problem child covered her eyes. "Too bright," she whispered and turned away from the front of the class. "You're too bright, Professor."
"I should hope so," Light replied to her, smile dimming into a gentle one and speaking in a tone full of wisdom. "Else I wouldn't be me." There was a stunned silence before the class burst into laughter again.
Light hoped that covered most of the puns. He had heard a lot of them for the first eighteen years of his life and it was better if he got them out of the way first. Early age teenagers were very liable to make fun of his name otherwise and it would soon get annoying.
"Now, back to the topic!" Light called out and the class turned back to him in relative silence. "Modes of travel among muggles. How many do you know?" He pointed at the green robed figure at the back of the class. "Yes, Harper-san?"
"Er- horses? Carriages? Carts?" The boy shook his head. "Oh, I know. Hogwarts Express!" Light smiled at him encouragingly.
"Right on all three accounts though a bit last century, Harper-san," Light said. "In recent days, carriages and carts can only be seen in exhibits or used as tourist attractions in villages or during festivals and celebrations. Hogwarts Express is a train. A steam engine, to be precise. The most recent mode of transport is the electric train. Much cheaper than it's steam counterpart due to higher fuel efficiency. Faster as well." Light looked around the class. "Anyone else?"
"Me, me," Collin jumped in his chair and Light gave him a wry smile.
"Yes, Creevey-san?" Light asked and Collin grinned happily.
"Bus, car, tractor, tank, trolley, trailer, jeep, helicopter, airplane, a cruise-" Light blinked because that sounded more and more like things Collin wanted to drive than simply names of travel methods. Light couldn't blame him. Driving a tank sounded cool. So did flying a helicopter. And Light wouldn't mind going on a cruise himself, though it would bore Ryuk to no end.
"Thank you, Creevey-san." Light stopped the boy at 'hang glider'. Anymore and it would become a bucket-list than simply a list of names. "Has everyone written it down?" There was a sound of quills being put on parchment in a hurry, and mild curses. "Right, class is going to end soon. Your homework is to pick two modes of travel for each medium: air, water and land. Pick one as your favorite. We will discuss them in the next class."
There were groans from all around the class.
"Yes, I know this is the first class. And travel isn't exactly the topic my predecessors started with," Light said with a shrug and placed his hands in his pockets. "But it is better to know what to do if you get stranded in the muggle world and how not to get lost. Practical things first. We will start with culture later."
The bell rang and the class slowly filtered out. All, except two of the problem children. Luna walked over to him instead of out of the class and Ginny Weasley glared at him as she waited for her at the doors.
"Professor?" Luna asked as she lowered her head and rummaged through her bag. Light gave a questioning hum, still looking into the brown eyes of the youngest Weasley. "Here." Light looked down to find Luna offering him an apple. "For your Being." She explained. "Mother always said you should give offerings to Higher Beings whenever you meet them."
Light raised one hand, palm up and open. Luna dropped the apple in his hand. He stared at the bright red and juicy looking fruit. "You'll spoil him," Light mused and lightly threw the apple up in the air. Up and down, up and down, catching it every time. "I will pass it on." Light said finally. "Don't do it again, Miss Lovegood." Light warned the girl who was too perceptive for her own good. "Attention from Higher Beings comes at too steep a cost. So unless you are willing to pay-" At the door, Ginevra Weasley scoffed.
Light looked away from blue eyes and turned to Ginny. "Yes?" He asked mildly. The red haired student gestured with two fingers, first pointing at her own eyes and then at Light's. Light tilted his head, looking at her in curiosity. This girl was also biased. Like the headmaster was. Was it the same person? Or a coincidence?
Light was tempted to test the waters. Tease this girl a bit, maybe play on her paranoia and act like she expected to draw out a reaction. She was expecting a charismatic psychopath, so if he acted like one, Ginny was sure to slip up.
His lips curled into a slight smile, Light opened his mouth to speak- cold fingers digging into the back of his mind stopped him. Light closed his mouth and gave Weasley an inquiring look as he figured out what had just happened. Light had felt the Death Note's influence subconsciously and tried to lash out in the only way he could without actually writing names in the Notebook. Ginevra Weasley was thirteen. A child. Not someone Light wanted to play games with or manipulate. She was too vulnerable.
If someone had tried to manipulate Sayu the way Light had just had the impulse to do to Ginny, he would have had that man shot, disemboweled and fed to the dogs.
So, Light just gave Weasley a bland smile and focused back on the wide-eyed Ravenclaw.
"Your friend is waiting for you," he told her and placed the apple on the desk behind him. "Have a nice lunch, Lovegood-san."
*****
[3 September, 2004]
While the seventh years were dull, the sixth years interesting, the third years problem children, the fourth years were-
There was a set of twins staring at him. A curly haired girl sighing quite blatantly. The ones over in Hufflepuff yellow were suspicious and the ones in Slytherin green were putting on a blank mask.
The fourth years were odd-balls. That was all Light could label them.
Once their introduction was done, and Light asked if there was anything out of curriculum they wanted to learn, Susan Bones from Hufflepuff raised her hand.
"Yes, Bones-san?" Light asked the only female student who seemed to focus more on the introduction itself than Light's face. The only student who focused more on Light's words than his body, if Light were truthful. There were those two boys from Slytherin who had stared at his torso instead of the face. A strange change. He supposed the suit was well fitted but it didn't do much other than highlight his silhouette.
"My aunt heard from Professor McGonagall that you have experience in muggle law enforcement?" Bones asked and Light nodded. "Could you give us an overview about muggle crime solving methodology?"
"That is a rather broad term and something people usually spend at least six months learning professionally," Light said. He tilted his head in thought and then offered a compromise. "How about we have a book reading assignment instead. We could use detective fiction as the genre and make a book report."
"I was hoping for some real world examples," Bones replied and Light shook his head.
"Bones-san, this is the Muggle Studies course." Light pointed out gently. "Not Basics of Criminal Investigation. Let's stick to detective novels, yes? There are a few classics that I'm sure will interest you." Light had started off with Rampo Edogawa's books. But these were British teens. They were too young for True Crime novels and too British for Japanese detective fiction.
He could introduce them to Sherlock Holmes, and Agatha Christie's works. Or perhaps something more geared towards younger minds? Nancy Drew and Hardy Boys? Bones looked like she would enjoy Nancy Drew.
Or should he just get a projector and put on Detective Conan for them?
The thought made Light cough to suppress a smile.
"Professor Yagami? Are you alright?" One of the twins in blue, Padma Patil from Ravenclaw asked. Light gave her a small smile.
"Perfectly fine. Thank you for your concern, Patil-san," Light said. He turned to Bones and asked again. "Would that work, Bones-san? Or was your concern about a more specific topic?" Bones seemed to hesitate for a moment before nodding. "Excellent then. We can set up a small assignment once I confirm with Madam Pince that we have detective fiction available in the library."
"But what if we want some other genre?" Ernest Macmillan asked. "I'm not too found of mysteries after the whole Chamber fiasco." Agreeing murmurs spread through the room. Light was very curious what the Chamber incident was. Something to ask McGonagall about. Or maybe Flitwick. The half-goblin was always very eager to share knowledge on any field he could.
"Then you pick another genre," Light replied. "If you have a specific genre, author or book in mind, then please let me know. Macmillan-san, could you please pass out a parchment sheet so everyone can write down their preferences? I would like it decided upon by next Wednesday."
Macmillan did so. With the interest the rest of the class was showing, Light hoped Irma Pince had a budget sufficient for purchasing fiction novels.
The bell rang soon after and the class walked out. Light figured he might as well pack up and prepare for lunch.
"Professor?" There was a knock on the door. Light turned to see three of his students returning back inside. Light smiled and gestured towards them to enter.
"Yes?" He asked mildly. The apple Luna had given him was in his hands. Ryuk would come around soon and Light wanted to pass along the fruit while it was still fresh.
"We were wondering whether it is possible to take fourth year Muggle Studies without taking the third?" Lavender Brown asked. She fidgeted where she was standing, going red in the face when Light turned to meet her eyes. "We didn't realize it would be such an- interesting course until recently."
Kami save him from teenagers trying to hit on him awkwardly. Even Ryuuzaki was smoother than this-
Was he?
"Oh," Light breathed as the realization hit him all at once. "Oh, so that's what it was." Things made so much more sense in hindsight. Light was usually very clear on such things. He had years of experience, on being desired by both the female and occasional male specimen. But Ryuuzaki had been the leading detective on his case. Ryuuzaki, L had been trying to convict Light as Kira and execute him. Just why in hell had the man thought to even flirt with him?
"Professor Yagami?" His student asked again and Light looked at her thoughtfully. He had much more important things to think about right now than girls the age of Sayu trying to impress him.
"As long as they pass a mock exam to show they have third year knowledge, sure," Light said, still distracted by the realization of Ryuuzaki flirting with him. With his prime suspect. With Kira. "Why don't you go along for lunch? I'll pass the details about it next class?"
"Sure. Thank you, Professor Yagami!" Lavender blinked up at him with her big brown eyes. Light vaguely gestured towards the door, trying to get her and the Patil twins moving. There was only so much his mind could analyze while also dealing with hormonal teenagers.
Thankfully, they took the hint and moved along and Light-
Light stood there, in shock.
L had been flirting with him. Getting into his space, staring at his face, taking in his whole body at times with a distinctly interested gaze. There was that time when they had been playing tennis and Light had raised his shirt to cool down a bit before starting the next set. L had been extra aggressive when playing right after.
And offering cake. L had offered Light cake quite frequently. Even when Light knew very well how possessive the man was of his sweets.
Those times they had been playing chess and L's hand had risen a bit too high, just high enough to reach Light's hair. And then awkwardly lowered itself to pick up a piece with too much gentleness.
"Light-o?" Ryuk asked and Light wondered when the Shinigami had come into the classroom. "Is that apple for me?"
"Oh," was all Light could manage and he threw the fruit towards the Shinigami. Ryuk caught it mid-air even as Light tried to think back on what else he had missed.
L had been flirting with him. Had hit on him with clear intentions. That much was now clear to Light. Had Light-?
"I did," Light felt the flush rise all the way from his neck to his cheeks. "I flirted back." It was, in hindsight, much too embarrassing. "Oh Kami, kill me now."
"You sure?" Ryuk asked and Light glared at him. The Shinigami understood jokes but Light was never certain when Ryuk was joking back with him.
"I'm having an existential crisis here, Ryuk!" Light hissed, not in the mood for any amusement. "Not praying to you!"
"You looked serious," Ryuk pointed out as he munched on his apple noisily. "This doesn't taste like you or the house elves. Who Gave it?"
"A student. You don't need to know," Light waved it off. Luna Lovegood was too young to come to a Shinigami's attention. Not to mention, Light was still stuck on the fact that there was something more than friendship between the detective and him. Between L and Kira. "Ryuk, we were trying to kill each other! That was the game! Either he convicts me or I get his name and kill him. Just why would L flirt with me so seriously!" Light held his head in his hands. "He was serious. He really was. At the end there. I know what casual interest looks like and this wasn't it. And I-" Light had not discouraged L in the slightest.
Horrifyingly enough, when Light thought back to it, he had even encouraged it by being suggestive right back!
"Trying to kill each other is perfectly acceptable Shinigami mating behavior," Ryuk said. "Not that we have the organs to get to third base. Is that different for humans?" Ryuk tilted his head, his earing clinking noisily against his shoulders. "Little Yagami's TV serials showed it was acceptable as well. One guy would kill the other because he kept going after his potential mate. Or take his house, car and money and ruin him. See? Perfectly destructive. Come to think of it, Shinigami and Human dating rituals are really similar."
The more Ryuk said, the more Light thought it was a very bad idea. That was not how romance was supposed to go. Interest was shown in the form of flowers or gifts or- or something else! Not a murder attempt! In no way were Shinigami mating behavior similar to humans!
"Those were just Sayu's TV serials. She was on an ancient harem drama binge and- those were fictional!" Light countered. "People don't do that!" Though, Light realized, if anyone would, it would be L. L was as much a man of extremes as Light. They were self-acknowledged equals for a reason. Did that mean Light's way of showing interest was just as crooked as L's? After-all, Light had flirted back, no matter how subconsciously.
"You and that L guy did," Ryuk pointed out, adding salt to injury. Light felt the urge to tear out his hair again.
"That was why it was wrong!" Light hissed back. Ryuk just shrugged as he swallowed down the core.
"So boring, you humans," Ryuk commented, distracted once again now that his apple was over. "A little violence always spices things up. And here I thought you both were an interesting couple." That sent a whole new wave of mortification through Light again.
"You knew?" Light asked, horrified. Even a Shinigami got it before him. Just how badly had Light misjudged the situation? Wait, if L was interested in Light, then what was up with that second Kira thing? And Sayu's letter? Misa Amane talking about 'helping with the investigation' and 'having connections' and-!
"It was pretty obvious after a point, Light-o," Ryuk said. "I just thought it was a weird human ritual and you were on top of it. You usually are. You said so, when you explained the Spaceland date."
Yes, Light thought. He usually was on top of such things. But this was Ryuuzaki! L! Light wasn't mad enough to think the lead detective of his case, who had announced to all and sundry on national television that he was going to get Kira executed would pursue a romantic relationship with him. It was- It was-
Light felt oddly flattered. It was feeding his ego like oil would a flame. It also embarrassed him because Light had been interested right back. Now, Light knew he was a catch himself. Light was intelligent, handsome, charismatic and had a bright future ahead of him. L was- well, he was just the World's Greatest Detective who wanted to execute him, very intelligent- more than Light himself, and yes, had a mean serve in tennis that Light adored more than anything but-! L wasn't exactly the best looking person around.
His hair was such a mess. Light could think of three different ways to have it fixed into a fluffy mess instead.
And those eyebags. L was an insomniac. He really needed more sleep.
L always sat in a weird manner because of some inane reasoning like it increasing his deductive reasoning percentage. Light thought it was a miracle L hadn't developed back problems and that he could still play tennis all hunched over like that. He must have some amazing leg musculature if L could still walk so smoothly after sitting hunched over, sometimes in a squat to change things up, putting all the weight on the soles of his feet and calves.
Pity they were covered by those baggy jeans.
And eating all that sugar. L would die of diabetes long before any criminal got to him and then Light would say, "I told you so". He couldn't take that man out anywhere in public-
"Shit," Light whispered. Light wanted to go on dates with L. He really didn't need this right now. He had another class after lunch and this wasn't the time for enlightenment. "What am I going to do, Ryuk?"
"Feed me more apples?" Ryuk asked hopefully. Light just stared at him blankly. That was not what Light was asking about and he was sure Ryuk knew that. This asshole Shinigami. Light will figure out a way to kill Shinigami. Or at least cause them pain. He will.
"You just had one," Light said dryly, and kept his frustration under control. "Keep it moderate, you addict."
*****
[3 September, 2004]
"Excuse me?" Light asked the fifth year Slytherin who, instead of introducing himself, had just straight out refused to learn about muggles from 'a muggleborn from Japan'. "Is your problem with muggleborns or Japanese wizards in general?" Light actually was really interested in this answer. "Or my personal qualifications?"
"All of them," the teenager sneered. Light had expected this resistance from the seventh years, not the fifth. But well, better late than never. He had to face this issue sometime anyways.
It was just that Light was going to be more cruel than he had planned. He was not in the mood for resolving this situation peacefully or with any grace. Light just wanted to get this day over with. He was going to end it as soon as possible. And make it hurt. If Light's brain was hurting to make sense of his romantic interests, then this boy could suffer too. Suffering shared is suffering halved and Light was feeling very generous.
"First, I'm not a muggleborn." Light pointed out. "Possessed Human. Completely different. Second, Mahoutokoro is ranked higher than Hogwarts in terms of international rankings, both academic and in our Muggle Studies course." That was the main reason Light had accepted the offer from Mahoutokoro. Their name and reputation was very useful for Light's fledging efforts. Eventually, Light's name and efforts would add on to Mahoutokoro's reputation as well, so it was a win-win for both. "Third, I've lived in the muggle world for eighteen years, thus exceeding Hogwarts requirement of 'minimum three years of experience' by fifteen."
"Hah! You're obviously a mudblood trying to fake-"
"Ten points from Slytherin for looking down on muggleborns for no justifiable reason, ten more points for having racist views against Japanese wizards and fifty for a slur against muggleborns," Light said mildly, cutting the teen off. And point taking was indeed very effective as the Slytherin's mouth dropped open.
"That- That's seventy points! You can't do that!" The younger protested. Light hummed in thought.
"I can." Light said pleasantly. "I just did. Notice I didn't take any points for questioning my qualifications. And ten of those seventy points were for failing to provide a reason for your view point. I appreciate a well structured, well defended argument as much as any intelligent person should. Now, where was I?" Light tapped at his chin thoughtfully. "Yes, detention for four weeks. Let's see. With Hagrid-sensei." Light knew very well what Hagrid made students do as part of detention. Shovel shit, that's what. A messy punishment, but Light knew he had to be cruel now to prevent any further incidents.
Judging by the rapidly paling teenager, he had heard of that too.
"I don't even take Care-!"
"You do take Muggle Studies and have a bias against muggleborns. That's very interesting," Light mused, stopping the student mid-rant again. "If you want further information on my qualifications, however," Light said and smiled brightly. "You are free to ask McGonagall-sensei. She was the one to interview me, you see. I'm sure she can explain why I was the best fit for the position among all other candidates." Light paused before asking in concern. "When would you like to schedule this appointment? Does the weekend work?"
The teenager paled even further. Light hadn't know that was possible. Then again, his knees were shaking as well, so maybe this kid was just of a weak disposition.
"No, that's okay," he stammered out. Light gave the younger a cold, condescending smile.
"Tomorrow at ten in the morning, then," Light confirmed, finishing up with the punishment. Then, he turned to look at the rest of the class.
Pushing back his hair from his forehead with one hand to use the full impact of his unobstructed eyes on his audience, Light tilted his chin up and asked disinterestedly, "Does anyone else have an issue?"
No one answered. Light hadn't expected them to.
"Well then," Light let his pleasant smile slip back on. "Let's continue on with the introductions, shall we? Seventy Points-san?"
*****
[3 September, 2004]
"Did you hear?" Katie Bell asked, full of excitement. She leaned onto the table to get the pumpkin juice pitcher as heads turned towards her.
"About Moody turning Draco Malfoy into a ferret? And bouncing him all over the floor?" Fred asked, bringing up the latest update from the Hogwarts rumor mill. "Ronnikins saw it. That's old news." Katie shook her head.
"About Moody casting the Imperius on all fourth year and older students? That was yesterday." George tried his hand at it. Katie still shook her head. Then she pointed towards the staff table, where Professor Yagami and Snape were in the middle of a heated discussion. Heated on Snape's part, at least. Professor Yagami just looked mildly amused and had a smile fixed on his face.
"No, about what happened today in fifth year muggle studies." Katie grinned as everyone turned to look at the argument which their youngest Professor seemed to be winning. "Pucey tried to pull his pureblood agenda against the Muggle Studies professor. In his classroom. While taking the subject. And got seventy points taken off." She pointed at the empty Slytherin hour-glass, which had a minus in red painted on it. "Slytherin is in the negatives. Snape's pissed."
"You don't say," Fred and George said. By this time, the rest of the table had stopped focusing on their dinner and started listening in on the conversation. "What's so interesting about it? I mean, points are points but they don't exactly hurt." "Snape being angry might hurt though." "But then, he's always pissed when we pull a prank on the Slytherins." "Nothing new there."
"Pucey has a four week long detention with Hagrid, shoving Threstral shit," Katie informed them, placing the pitcher back at the center of the table. "And a meeting with McGonagall tomorrow to explain his 'opinions and doubts'. That's cruel." The students all winced in imaginary pain as the full extent of the punishment sunk in. Seventy points off and Snape being angry was one thing. But a month with Hagrid and dealing with whatever creature he had decided was his favorite at the moment while helping him in the Creatures enclosures? And McGonagall to deal with it on top?
"That trumps Moody's news, all-right," Angelina agreed. Loosing seventy points would have made one a pariah in the Gryffindor house. Unless they were the Weasley twins. And even they didn't want an up-close and personal meeting with McGonagall about 'opinions and doubts'. "Hadn't taken the professor for being so strict though. He's usually all smiles and well, gentle. Kind to a fault. No matter the question you ask him." Angelina paused in thought. "He even makes lots of bad puns of his own name."
"That's just good strategy," Fred corrected her. "You make fun of your own name so others would know it doesn't work on you. Prankster basics." George nodded in support. "We do it all the time with Ginevra, Percival and Ronnikins."
"Who cares?" Alicia said, voice full of malicious satisfaction. "That bigot deserved it. Glad at least some professor took it seriously and put a stop to it. He always wriggled out of it before because of Snape. Now, he wouldn't. Hope he learns something from it."
"Who?" Hermione asked, sitting down between Alicia and Parvati. Harry and Ron took a seat from across her, besides Lee Jordan. Neville sat next to them. "What did we miss?"
"Professor Yagami took the hide off of Pucey for insulting muggleborns, Japanese wizards and saying the m-word," Katie reiterated. "In that order. How did he put it? Ah, 'ten points for being an idiotic bigot against muggleborns with no justifiable reason'." Katie snickered as she remembered the look on Pucey's face at those words. Hermione, for her part, frowned.
"Did he really say that? She asked, confused. "In those exact words?" Katie shook her head.
"Not the idiotic bigot part. That was me. But ripped him a new one for not providing a reason? Yeah," Katie agreed. Hermione frowned.
"That- is interesting," Hermione concluded. Everyone around her gave a curious look so she explained. "Professor Yagami took points off because Pucey didn't provide a justified reason for his bias against muggleborns. Which means, he would be alright with it if there was a reason. He's taunting him. Inviting an argument. Bet that's how he said it next." Katie nodded, deep in thought.
"'A well structured, well defended argument'," she quoted. "Huh. You're right." Hermione nodded, continuing on to her thoughts.
"Yes. With bigots, you can't get them to change their minds so easily," she said. "It took years with Hitler and Germany. Racial discrimination is still a thing. They are very stubborn and ignore all arguments to the contrary. Willfully blind. So, the professor took an opposite approach. Instead of trying to convince them, he challenged them to convince him. As long as he can shoot down their defense with a counter-argument, Pucey would be forced to rethink his stance. It's- well, it's brilliant."
"Pucey doesn't have two braincells to rub together, let alone get that hint," George pointed out. "It's brilliant, but useless." Hermione pointed at the staff table, where Snape had scowled and broken away from whatever discussion he had been having with the young Professor.
"Pucey is. Professor Snape isn't." Hermione said smugly. "You can bet each and every Slytherin who thinks themselves so clever is going to try their hand in justifying pureblood superiority to the Professor in a logical debate soon enough." She paused in thought. "How smart do you think he is? Mister Weasley said something about certified genius?"
"We can ask him next class," Lavender offered, a new plan to talk with the professor already forming in her mind. "Bones said her aunt said McGonagall said he's smart enough to have been part of muggle law enforcement since fourteen."
"You mean, I will ask him," Parvati elbowed Lavender in the gut. "You already failed. He ignored you. It's my turn now." Lavender shot her an insulted look.
"No he did not," Lavender grumbled. "He just- got distracted. By something. The nerve. But oh," she perked up at the memory as she remember the picture the Professor made even while dazed. "He looked so pretty while ignoring me too. This has got to be some sin, Parvati. No one can look that perfect all the time. It's not humanly possible."
"You're just jealous of his skin," Parvati replied. "Do you think we should ask him about his morning skin routine?" Angelina, Alicia and Katie leaned in, interested. Hermione blinked, surprised at the sudden turn this conversation had taken.
"Let us know if you ask," Katie begged. "I wanted to touch but couldn't bring myself to ask. It's just- so smooth. So tanned. And his hair too. So shiny." Hermione leaned in, interested now as well. Lockhart had been pretty as well, but there was something artificial about it. As fake as his credentials turned out to be. But Professor Yagami looked natural while being both pretty and handsome at once. And he dressed much more professionally than Lockhart ever did, in form fitting dark suits with just a splash of color. Hermione had never realized before she had a thing for formal clothing on obviously fit guys with brains.
Ron, Harry, Fred and George exchanged a disgusted glance. "Uh, girls," Fred complained as he leaned away from the gossiping group. "Maybe Ginny would have better news for us. Where is she?"
"Haven't seen her since morning," George noted. "Not even for lunch." George searched for one of Ginny's classmates and called out. "Hey Collin!" Collin looked back and waved. "Have you seen Gin-gin?"
"She's with Luna, over at the Ravenclaw table," Collin pointed at her. "Luna's scolding her because she was being rude in Muggle Studies."
"What? Is Gin-gin a fan of our professor as well?" Fred asked, curious. "Competition? From our dear little sister?" Harry and Ron exchanged a glance because they knew that couldn't be true. As expected, Collin shook his head.
"Luna gave the professor an apple for his Being." Collin explained. "The professor told her not to do it again. Ginny thought he was being rude but Luna says it was polite of him to warn her. They had a fight."
"Huh," the twins said as they turned their head to look at their sister. Just as Collin had said, sweet, tiny Luna Lovegood had basically abandoned her food to scold Ginevra with a scowl on her face. Ginny, for her part, was picking at her food and looked like she wanted to be anywhere but there.
*****
[4 September, 2004]
A good night's sleep did wonders for Light's mindset. He had an early breakfast in his rooms and started on his Runes study with gusto. Ryuk hovered over his work, pacified with the first apple of the day.
"So, written this way, Uruz means 'strength' while the other way adds 'endurance' or a 'long lasting effect' on another Rune?" Light asked Ryuk, speaking slowly in a mix of Old Norse and English. He looked between the array he was drawing and the textbook he was transcribing it from.
"You need to change the a#$5d to the left," Ryuk replied in Old Norse as well. Light frowned at the unknown word.
"a#$5d?" He asked the Shinigami. Ryuk hummed in thought.
"Human languages," the Shinigami complained in Greek. Light could understand Greek better than Old Norse, which was a completely new language for him. "Diagonally and down under," Ryuk explained and Light noted it down. He corrected his array, shifted back on his heels and observed the effects as the Runes lit up in a rose red light.
"Hey Ryuk," Light asked as he looked at the light show unflinchingly. "Do you think L likes flowers?" Ryuk turned his head with a crack to stare at his human. "Roses? Lavenders?" Light hummed in thought as he went over symbolism. "Aconite with purple lilac?"
"Is that meant to say 'I will kill your lover' or 'enemies to lovers'?" Ryuk asked, interested in how foolish his human was acting for once. As a Shinigami, Ryuk knew all human languages. Including human flower language. Light had been endlessly amused when he had learnt of it two days ago.
"Both," Light replied as the red light turned to a yellow-white similar to that of a night-light. "I do suddenly feel murderous towards Amane Misa but-" Light shrugged. "That game is over and I've already done my part."
"Is that why you didn't give any instructions to your new puppet?" The Shinigami asked, trying to pry more information from Light about the new game he had started with L Lawliett over the past few days. "You left Mikami Teru all alone with a fake Death Note, fake rules and no orders. That's sloppy of you."
"I trust in humans," Light explained in a mild voice. "And I trust in Teru. That Notebook will fall in L's hands and our game will be over."
"Sounds boring," Ryuk intoned. "Come on, I expected more from you, Light-o."
"You expected more from me than handing over an insanity causing, magical murder notebook to an obsessive, justice minded criminal prosecutor? Who's just one step short of proclaiming himself the 'Chosen One of Justice'? Destroying the life of an innocent man who wouldn't have done more than fantasize about Justice if I hadn't given him a power high?" Light asked, amused. "I believe in Teru just as much as I believe in L. In humans and how they will react. Mikami will fail. L will catch him. Then the case will close. The End. That's the game, Ryuk."
"Old man Armonia will be interested in how a fake death Note affects a human. Can get me a raise in rank. I'm more interested in the game itself. I don't get it, Light." Ryuk asked in confusion. "Just what was the game and what will you win? What's the point and what's the prize?"
"You'll see, Ryuk," Light replied. "It won't be as fun as our first one. This one has emotions on the line than lives. Something like telling my first friend, "You're an annoying pest and I want to be rid of you", "Stay away from my family, you creepy stalker", "Have fun with your blonde girlfriend because we won't be playing any more games" or "I'm disappointed in your choices, sayonara". Just with more murder than a greeting card would come with."
The Rune array dimmed and Light frowned, trying to see what he would need to change to make it last longer.
"L would be hurt," Light continued. "I was his first friend. And possible romantic interest. Then I send 'Get away from me' messages in such a round-about manner. It was rude. And maybe a bit too cruel. Sayu's letter had me on edge and my as-of-then unknown feelings didn't help." Light sighed. "What's done is done. No one except L will even get what I've done. It's nothing flowers can't fix." Light hummed in thought. "What about chocolate roses?"
"Your human does like his sweets," Ryuk agreed, not thinking about the boring game any longer. If even Light admitted it wasn't as fun as the first, then Ryuk best not waste any more time on it. "How will you send it?"
"House elves," Light answered promptly. "Oddment can do it. But maybe I'll wait a while. Until after the Kira case gets closed. Chocolate roses and purple hyacinth?"
"I still think a murder or two ought to do it," Ryuk informed his human. "Nothing says passion like red, hot blood." Light sighed in exasperation. Shinigami weren't much for human romance.
"Better ask Sayu," was what he concluded.