Kindred Dyad

Ryoma nearly shivered at the way Fuji-senpai's eyes were open for once, tracking Hariel every single moment he wasn’t actively required to pay attention to anything else. What had she done to earn that much intensity. 

At the end of practice even Tezuka-buchou sighed out in relief, dismissing them as soon as possible. With a satisfied smile, the tensai was off, showering and changing quickly enough that he was mostly dressed by the time the last regular even made it back. 

“See you tomorrow." He spoke up softly, enjoying the flinches. It wasn’t because they were scared, they weren’t. It was more because he found their apprehension funny. 

“Fuji-senpai... what are you going to do to Ri?" Echizen spoke up, blocking his way outside. Kikumaru’s eyes widened, the last time someone had stopped Fuji from doing something he was actually interested in it had not ended well... for them. 

“Fujiko-chan..." He spoke up, he did not want to see o-chibi traumatized by way of enraged Fuji. 

“Eiji, I see you have things well in hand." The tensai pushed Echizen into the redhead’s arms, with an easy motion that belied the strength of that push. Ryoma stumbled, before being caught by Kikumaru. Fuji took that opportunity to escape. 

“Nya, o-chibi, don’t get in his way when he’s serious. Fujiko-chan... can be scary." Oishi frowned. “Eiji, Fuji would never hurt anyone." The cat-like boy shuddered, hugging Ryoma tightly around the shoulders. He nearly wailed in response. “He doesn’t need to, he just keeps teasing you until you are a permanently embarrassed wreck." Fuji was a genius at harmless yet irritating revenge. 

Unless he was truly angry, the girls who had pushed Yuuta into changing schools had never returned to Seigaku after Fuji had a little... chat with them. 

Kawamura spoke up shyly. “You don’t need to worry Echizen. Fujiko-chan seems fond of Hariel-chan. He won’t do anything to her." Ryoma sighed, but they were probably right. The other menace was fiercely protective of his little sister and it was likely that Fuji would end up being the same. Hariel just pulled people into her orbit. 

Outside, Fuji glanced up at the sky, it was a warm summer day. Stripping of his jacket, he rolled up his sleeves, he wasn’t blind. He had seen the effect it had on the green-eyed girl the last time he did that and he liked seeing his own attraction reflected in her. 

Hariel was leaning against the gates, green eyes twinkling up at him. He liked the fact that she was quickly becoming bolder in his presence. He had yet to see her so open and fearless with other people, except perhaps her family. 

Offering his arm to escort her, he smiled down at he as she gently set her hand on his skin. “What did you want to ask?" She was curious. Fuji looked down at her serenely. “Saa, Hariel-chan... let’s go get ice-cream." She looked a little confused, but willing to go along. 

He whisked her away from school before any of the other regulars could appear. He did not want to share her attention any more than necessary. He was well aware that he could be possessive, and made no excuses for it. Unlike most people Fuji tended to live in awareness off all his flaws. 

Stroking the inside of her wrist idly, he was delighted by the mild shiver he could detect in her. Whimsically they discussed several subjects, delighted to discover that they had a lot in common. Art was a favourite subject between them.  

Fuji taught her a few things about photography, technical details common to all types of art. It contrasted in interesting ways with Hariel’s explanations, since she was completely self-taught, discovering most techniques and details by accident. Something which just wasn’t possible with a camera. 

Within a few minutes they had arrived at the park. Fuji bought her an ice-cream. Not allowing her to protest at all. “Hariel, I asked you to come here, the least I can do is pay. I don’t mind at all, don’t worry so much about it." 

She blinked up at him and then elected to let it go, contently leaning against his powerful slender frame as she licked her ice-cream contently. Fuji, enjoying the way she seemed simply happy to spend time with him, pulled her into his lap once they found an empty bench. 

Hariel giggled, then swung around to straddle him instead of leaning sideways against him. She liked being able to look him in the eye, and she loved that he never hid his eyes from her. “So, what was the question, Syusuke-san?" She asked impishly stealing a lick from his own cone. His free hand wound around her hip, squeezing roughly as if in reprimand. She merely hummed in enjoyment, she liked it when he touched her.  

“Yes, I wanted to ask if you would feel comfortable if I came with you so you can shop for clothing. You wanted to go right?" She nodded mutely. “I don’t mind, but won’t store owners make it awkward? Wouldn’t it be boring for you?" 

He shrugged loosely. “No matter what type of dress or skirt you want to try on, I don’t really mind. Fabric can be an interesting background for photographs so I wouldn’t get bored at all." Hariel blinked. “Oh, okay then." He smiled gently, placing a cold kiss on the tip of her nose. Hariel seemed to enjoy contact and accepted any and all contact from him happily. 

She didn’t seem to notice or care that their interactions were straying into... romantic territory. 

Slender clever fingers slipped below her t-shirt, sliding over her skin to leave trails of heat in their wake. Hariel hummed low in her throat, like a great cat rumbling in pleasure. Spotting a small drip of ice-cream dripping over his fingers she leaned forward and licked it off him. Fuji inhaled sharply at the feeling over her hot tongue swiping over his knuckles.  

“You are playing with fire, angel." He said silkily, lower than usual and with a vague hint of threat. Hariel never did react like other people, and she made eye contact as she leaned over to lick a broad stripe over his ice-cream cone again. 

Sharp blue eyes narrowed as he looked at the beautiful imp in his lap. He promptly scooped up a finger of ice-cream and smeared it over her tempting neck. She shrieked with giggles at the cold treat sliding down her skin. 

Then he leaned over, licking the melting ice-cream from her skin. Her giggles quieted abruptly as she moaned softly, almost more a sigh, as she felt his hot tongue sliding over her skin. 

He wrapped a pale arm around her waist, pulling her impossibly closer. He followed the sticky trail down the side of her neck. Catching the last of the drip he had caused himself, he bit her very softly. “There, your punishment, imp." He smirked at her flushed face. 

Tucking a lock behind her ear he buried his hand into her hair, it was quickly becoming one of his, and her, favourite things to feel and do. He kissed her below her red-tipped ear and then calmly whispered in her ear. “You taste good, Hariel-chan." She moaned, embarrassed and feeling strangely flushed, heat curling in her stomach. 

She couldn’t look him in the face as she finished her ice-cream sitting quietly on his lap. Fuji chuckled, her red face was endearing. It was cute to see her so shy. She hid her face in the crook of his neck as soon as her ice-cream was gone. 

He kept his arm around her waist, slowly he slid his fingers below her t-shirt again. Hariel shivered against him as she felt his fingers trailing over the bare skin of her waist again. “S-Syusuke....-san....." She nearly whimpered. “Hmm?" He asked, deliberately clueless.  

The petite witch shivered under his ministrations, clinging to his shoulders. Ice cold lips were pressed against her forehead again, the loving gesture settling something inside of her. He made her feel so welcome, even if he teased her.  

With his ice-cream gone as well, he twined slender strong fingers through her curls again. Her lips skimmed over his skin delicately as she spoke up again. “I like it when you pull on my hair." Implied was that she trusted him not to hurt her while he did. 

He slowly dragged his hands through her curls, enjoying the way her soft hair disappeared through his fingers like silk ribbons. 

Eventually she sighed. “I don’t know how I am going to manage going to Seigaku." Ashamed of her reaction, she refused to lift her head, only smushing her face harder against his warm skin. Her mumbled words nearly disappearing against his skin. 

“Will you be okay with the usual class size?" He asked softly. To distract her he cheerfully abused his newfound confirmation of her weakness. Twining pale fingers through her hair, he pulled her hair on her hair, clenching his hand into a fist to keep a certain amount of tension on the soft strands. Enough to claim her attention, but always staying behind the line of pain.  

He tilted her face up so that he could meet her shiny eyes. Warm palms caressed her cheeks as his thumbs softly wiped away the tears which were slowly spilling over. 

She bit her lip, utterly missing the way his gaze zeroed in on the abused flesh. “I think so? It should be fairly quiet right? Half the problem is the noise I think. That and the people come too close."  

Fuji hummed thoughtfully while he idly enjoyed the heat of her skin under his fingers. “You can stay in your classroom during the lunch-hour, or you can meet up with Echizen on the roof as soon as the main crowd disperses. If you arrive early you should be able to reach the classroom before any crowd appears. After school you can wait out the crowds as well." 

Hariel nodded, reassured by the way he had solved her issue fairly easy. “Thanks, that... maybe I can do this." She smiled at him, a radiant expression.  

“It’s no problem.” Sharp blue eyes captured and held her gaze. “I think that you are brave, confronting your fears.” She frowned. “I feel weak. I lived within a hostile boarding school for weeks, why would I only develop a fear of crowds now...” 

Fuji frowned, he didn’t like the implications, a boarding school would mean that she’d never been safe from bullies. “The mind is a strange thing, sometimes we only start to react when we leave the situation that forced us into survival mode in the first place. Like soldiers having difficulties adapting to a civilian life style.” 

She hummed, rubbing her cheek over his skin. Her magic was spiralling around him, it was really distracting. Her magic was always active, and she’d always been uncommonly sensitive to magical currents, but this was... excessive even for her. 

Hot dense, intense waves of power were clinging to the slender boy, possessively almost. 

“Can I see the pictures again?” She was interested in the way he saw the world, and photography said a great deal about the photographer as well, if you knew how to look. 

Fuji nodded, a warm hand squeezing her upper thigh before he retrieved his phone from his pocket. Hariel took the offered device after he unlocked it, swiping through the photographs. The first one she saw was a partial shot of her own face. The colour settings had been slightly exaggerated, giving her ebony hair, her lip stained with bloody red and showing a sliver of her face, one intensely sad dark green eye visible. 

“I look like a princess from an old fairy tale, the kind that ends in tragedy.” She commented, fascinated by the way he had manipulated the colours. 

“I could make an argument for calling you princess.” Fuji teased lightly. In truth he was slightly nervous that she wouldn’t like his photos. 

“It’s beautiful.” She murmured. “You are beautiful.” Was whispered softly in her ear in response. Hariel flushed bright red. “I-I meant the way you created the atmosphere, it’s dramatic, but not overdone.” He smiled serenely. “It’s a fine line, but your colours lend themselves well to dark fairy tale aesthetics.” 

She swiped to the next photo. He had taken one of her face as she smiled looking out over the river. It held a hint of sadness, mixed with joy. It was a fascinating study in contradictions. The water bright and blue, her hair a different shade of blue, as if the edges could just bleed out into the river. This one taken before she bit herself hard enough to bleed, lips pale pink and eyes light green. 

“You are very talented.” She remarked slowly. “I’m only capturing the way I see you Hariel-chan.” Shyly she skipped to the next photograph. It was the one she had taken of him. She was glad that he had taken the time to create a better picture from her amateur attempt. 

He had reframed it, cutting of parts of the scenery and his legs as well. His sprawled out upper body and the look on his face were now the centre of the photo. He had merely brushed up the colours, but otherwise he had left the picture the way she had taken it. 

She was entranced by the intense blue gaze, the clear amusement and the relaxed posture. He looked happy, because of her. A slim pale finger trailed down the phone screen. “Beautiful.” She whispered without thinking about it. Fuji smirked down at her, using his grip on her hair to manipulate her into facing him. 

“It’s a good photograph, you have talent.” He stated seriously. Not many people could manage the light settings that intuitively. “If you ever become interested in photography, I can teach you whatever you want to know. The offer is always there.” He offered seriously, mostly because he wanted to spend time with the mischievous strong broken girl, but also because she had genuine talent. 

She swiped to the next photo, stunned slightly at what she saw. He glanced down to see which one she was at and then hummed. “That one is my personal favourite.” He explained slowly. “If you allow it, I would love to add all of these photos of you to my portfolio, but this one would make the biggest impact.” 

The image was of her, a smile on her lips, fiery green eyes almost glowing and hair spread around her in a dark halo. She looked... beautiful. With soft pink cheeks and subtle blue highlights dancing over her ebony hair, she was made up of intense colours and her expression was... natural. She could almost believe that she was pretty like this.  

Hariel had never particularly cared about the way she looked, beyond seeing the links to her parents. She knew objectively that she was... pretty enough, symmetry was attractive to humans, or so Hermione had said. She had never seen it for herself though, she’d spend too long hearing her aunt rant about her poison-eyes, unnatural blue curls and strange paper-white skin to be able to see it. Looking at this photograph was almost like she was seeing herself through Fuji’s eyes and she became... beautiful. 

“You can... you can use them, just don’t mention my name. I never want to become even remotely famous. The taste I had of it was horrific.” She eventually said. Then she looked him straight in the eye, and that would never not be amazing for him. People usually flinched away from his intense gaze. “Thank you. I look... beautiful, to you, and now I can see myself like that too.” She said shyly. 

Fuji tugged the phone from her slack hands, pocketing it before hugging her almost too tight. The pressure was soothing for her though, he wasn’t treating her like a glass doll. 

“You are beautiful, and I’m glad I could help you see it.” He replied thoughtfully. 

Hariel almost floated inside after Fuji walked her home. He had promised to print copies for her, and a larger version of the one photo she took as well. She was still blushing at the realisation that he truly saw her as stunning, but the photos left no doubt. 

The memory of his tongue gliding over her skin rose up unbidden and she turned beet red. “Why are you blushing Ri?” Ryoma asked stoically. Her adopted brother had snuck up on her, or rather walked up to her while she wasn’t paying attention.  

“N-No reason.” She squeaked out. “Okay...” He stated in disbelief. “Do you want to play a match?” He asked, as eagerly as the introverted boy ever got. She nodded. “Just let me get changed first.” He nodded. 

She climbed the stairs in a hurry, changing into a black t-shirt and shorts. Taking a moment to stare at her, truthfully quit sad wardrobe made her glad that she had agreed to go shopping for clothes with Fuji. Other girls would probably be more comfortable going with a girl but she didn’t have any friends who happened to be girls here in Japan, and she trusted him. It was not a problem for her, if she could trust him with her scars, then she could handle him seeing her in different outfits. 

She wanted to find her own style, and desperately wanted to burn everything Aunt Petunia had ever bought for her to hide her shamefulness. Her aunt had made it very clear that the only reason she had been given these clothes was in the vague hope that other people wouldn’t realize her... freakishness. 

Deciding to ignore the painful memories for now, she ran back down the stairs. Picking up her racket she followed Ryoma out onto the court. 

“Match, or training?” She asked curiously. She didn’t mind either, but if he wanted a full out match she would need to warm up first. She’d never dishonour him by not bringing her a-game. 

“Training is fine.” He said dismissively. Hariel merely grinned at him, his fierce golden eyes were burning and she had his full attention. It might sound cold to anybody else but Hariel was well aware that Ryoma was just a stoic brat. She would never want him to change. 

Ryoma started off with his usual twist-serve. Hariel was more than ready, but Ryoma only grinned wider. It was always interesting to play against other tennis players who could force him to improve. 

The two Echizens rallied, both fast and precise. The power in this match was of a higher level then could usually be found in middle schoolers, but ultimately, the Japanese Middle School tennis scene was almost obscenely talented this year. 

Hariel’s eyes sharpened, like both Ryoma and Kikumaru, she had a form of motion vision. The ability to see sharper and clearer than most. Tracking fast moving objects was easy for them. 

Thinking back on her match with Fuji, Hariel focussed. She wasted a few shots, causing the ball to merely drop or go out but eventually, racket held delicately she hit the sweet spot. 

Ryoma’s eyes widened as the ball hit the ground... and crawled further. “Tsubame... Gaeshi....” He whispered, stunned. He had known that Hariel had played a match against the tensai but for her to be able to copy the move after only playing against him once was... 

His sister was dangerous. She had the talent and the drive to go far in tennis. 

“Hmm.” Hariel twisted her racket, mind filled with angles. “The calculation and spatial awareness needed for this are... incredibly high. I don’t think I could easily do this in an actual match.” She admitted brightly. 

Ryoma smirked. “Mada Mada Dane.” 

Hariel’s sharp eyes narrowed. As Ryoma got ready to serve again she started bouncing, tracking his moves with pinpoint accuracy. 

She easily hit the twist-serve back again and the second Ryoma was moving to hit the ball back she was already moving. A rally between two users of the one-footed split step could go on for a long time. There was nowhere on either side of the court that the ball couldn’t be reached like this. 

Ultimately Ryoma had to improve, because he was aware that he couldn’t outlast Hariel. For her age, and especially her gender, she had insane stamina. 

They weren’t keeping track, but Hariel was working on mastering TsubameGaeshi, while Ryoma was working on his speed. For that the petite witch was his ideal opponent, because she was a speed-demon. 

She’d never hit the most powerful shots, but she was so fast and agile that it hardly mattered. 

Eventually Ryoma seemed to have a breakthrough, she could almost see him glowing gold as he started hitting faster. He was using his senses to hit the ball exactly where she would have the hardest time reaching it, controlling the space easily.  

Both teenagers were panting when they collapsed on the temple steps together. “You’ve grown.” Hariel stated happily, she never resented it when he outgrew her. She was always happy to help him, Hariel didn’t seem to have a jealous or resentful bone in her body. At the moment they were on equal ground, but they changed lead between them regularly. 

Ryoma smirked. “You should play against Fuji-senpai at school. I would love to see everyone’s shocked reaction if you use TsubameGaeshi. Especially his.” His golden eyes twinkled at the thought of getting one over the resident sadist. Hariel hummed. “I might, Syusuke-san would certainly enjoy it. He seems to have a... dislike of sexist people. He loves and respects his older sister. It’s cute.”  

Ryoma hummed in question. Hariel, able to read his expression easily, clarified. “I broke the record, when I was running laps with Syusuke-san. There were a lot of boys who were shocked. Most likely because I’m a girl.” Ryoma nodded in understanding. With Hariel around since the tender age of five, he had been raised with the awareness that girls were in no way less. 

In the last couple of years they’d grown up enough that the difference in inherent strength between males and females was becoming obvious, but right along with it Hariel’s durability was growing as well. She could simply take more punishment, she was also faster. 

“Are you going to incorporateTsubameGaeshi in your style?” Ryoma asked curiously. Hariel shook her head. “No, I rely mostly on vision and instinct. I’m a tactical player, but when I move, I trust my body. That shot is difficult and you need on the spot calculations. It would break my focus too much to manage it.” 

She looked at the slowly setting sun for a moment, basking in the golden light and her brother’s company. Magic dancing around him in slow easy spirals.  

“It’s a lovely shock tactic though. Syusuke-san has a reputation, and his counters are a part of that.” Ryoma snickered, it was just like Hariel to appreciate a difficult tennis move mostly for the pranking and mental pressure potential it had. 

Karupin hopped into Ryoma’s lap suddenly. Hariel smiled at the familiar, petting his soft fur slowly. Ryoma felt a sharp pain at the sadness that still lingered in her eyes whenever she saw his familiar. She still missed Hedwig fiercely, loving Karupin sometimes only poured salt into that jagged wound. 

Subconsciously her small hand clasped the white glass-encased feather which she never took off. “You know... I think Hedwig would be mad at me if I never even try to find another familiar.” She admitted out of nowhere. A sad smile curled around the corners of her mouth as she kept gliding her hand over Karupin’s admittedly soft fur.  

“She was always really overprotective of me.” She snickered slightly. “Sometimes I think she thought I was her small defenceless baby chick or something.” 

Ryoma nodded in amusement. He had seen Hedwig and Hariel together only once, but the way the fierce avian had preened the then even smaller witch had been cute. “Hedwig was pretty stubborn that way.” He said, amused. Hariel smiled. “Yeah, she was amazing.” Ryoma nodded softly. 

Hariel sighed. “If I find a compatible familiar, I guess I should try not to run away before we even have a chance at a bond.” She said slowly. Ryoma nodded slowly. “You don’t need to be able to allow another familiar into your heart now.” He murmured slowly, absently gliding his hand over Karupin’s spine. “I think trying to be open to the option is more than enough for now.” 

Hariel sighed, taking another sip of her water. “Yeah... yeah I guess so.” 

“Siri..." She called out happily, her grey-eyed godfather looked healthy and maybe even, not happy but at least content. She rambled about how she had been running, and all the new moves she learned in tennis.  

The wizard smiled at his baby girl indulgently. It was good to see her so happy, like a normal teenager. Sirius was glad that she could still feel so intensely. Hariel had a rough past and not everybody came out of things like that with their feelings as intact as she appeared to be. 

She really was a miracle, a tiny powerful wonderful child. 

“... and then I set a new record, even though I’m not a part of their club. All the guys looked shocked. Syusuke-san was amused, he despises sexism, I think. It’s great." At that, the Black male laughed. “That’s good fawn, I like that he doesn’t need to be taught that girls are amazing. He sounds like a prankster...” 

Hariel hummed. “I don’t think he pulls practical jokes like the marauders or anything, but he does tease people and he creates funny misunderstandings for his own amusement." 

Sirius snorted. “Someone after my own heart then.” Hariel glowed, ecstatic at his easy acceptance of the boy she was already so attached to. 

It might look strange from a different point of view, but Sirius had grown up around a bonded pair. They just fit, made each other better and balanced each other out. James and Lily were amazing when they worked in tandem, and he wanted the same for her. 

“Hariel-chan, your new uniform is here.” Rinko called the next day. Hariel, still in her pyjama's blinked at her blearily from over her breakfast. “Uhuh.” 

Rinko chuckled, tenderly combing her daughter’s unruly curls into a semblance of order. “It’s the boy's uniform, and... you’ll be a second year.” 

Hariel blinked up at her, not truly computing her words. She’d had another nightmare, this time her mind had substituted her mother in Hedwig’s place. The image was burned into her retina, even though she knew it wasn’t real. The beautiful redhead whom she’d only seen in pictures had been pinned to the ground in the snow, red drip drip dripping from the grievous wounds. Red hair a mockery of fire spread out over pure white ice. 

“I... what? I only tested into first year right?” She asked, confused. Rinko shook her head. “When it became clear that you were acing the entire first year curriculum with ease, they tested you for second year material as well. You are actually a few months ahead.” 

“Ah... ok. That’s... uhm, good.” She mumbled in a daze. She couldn’t seem to shake her nightmare. She had texted Kaidoh to let him know that she wasn’t feeling well earlier. She never liked admitting defeat and she felt ashamed, but this was just not her day. 

She could keep going for far longer than most, used as she was to sleep deprivation and hunger. The terror and the pain from her nightmare just weren’t relinquishing their grip on her though. The image of her mom and the sound of her screams just kept floating in her mind.  

Rinko frowned. Hariel had been tired and listless the whole morning. She hadn’t gone running, she hadn’t even changed out of her pyjama's yet. “Hariel-chan... are you alright?” She asked concerned, as she watched the small Tennis player play with her food. 

Hariel, drained and sad laid her head against Rinko’s hip. Listlessly she tilted over into her mother’s side, unseen Rinko frowned. “I had... a nightmare.” She eventually whispered. 

“My... my mom was in Hedwig’s place and I just... can’t get the image out of my mind.” She murmured lowly. “Hari-love... what actually happened to Hedwig?” She didn’t want to open up painful wounds, but maybe Hariel needed to talk to someone about this. 

Slowly the whole sorry tale spilled out of her, as if pulled from her. Hariel was a blubbering mess, and Rinko softly patted her soft hair, rubbing her back slowly. “Oh sweetheart... I’m so sorry you’ve been carrying this all alone.” Harielhiccupped, tears still trailing down her high cheekbones. 

“I just... I just miss her so much kaa-chan.” She admitted lowly. Rinko pressed a loving kiss to her forehead. “I know. We all miss her to. She was a lovely companion.” The woman said slowly. The snowy owl had been a regular visitor of their household ever since Hariel received her as a present. The fierce owl had been funny, clucking over Ryoma and managed to mother the brat even though she couldn’t talk.  

Hariel silently pressed her face more firmly against Rinko’s side. Tired and overwhelmed by the recounting of Hedwig’s death. 

“Eat your breakfast sweetheart.” Rinko said, sometime later, when Hariel’s shoulders had finally stopped shaking. Coughing slightly to get rid of the closed up feeling in her throat Hariel nodded, red-rimmed eyes seemingly brightening slowly. 

“I can take you to the hospital. I’ve been meaning to meet your tutor for some time now. Yukimura-kun sounds like a good friend.” Hariel nodded. “Senpai is amazing.” She smiled, she wasn’t sure what she would do without him. She’d never had someone in her life whom she could talk to so easily. 

She trusted Ryoma and loved him wholeheartedly, but Yukimura just... understood her, as if at their too old cracked cores they were... the same. 

“Got get dressed then. I’ll wait here.” Rinko states kindly, watching her daughter run out of the room. She had come a long way. 

Hariel dressed in Nanjirou’s old t-shirt, red and black. She needed that feeling of safety today. Pairing it with white shorts, she picked up her sketchbook and her phone. She wouldn’t need to study today. She dashed down the stairs. Rinko was standing at the door, dressed for work and holding a bundle of paper.  

She gently ushered Hariel to the car. Dropping her things into the booth, she pulled out of the driveway, Hariel seated right beside her. 

“So... what is Yukimura-kun like? You told me that he was sick, and that he tutors you, but somehow I haven’t heard much other than that.” Rinko mused slowly. Her job often kept her very busy, and times like this she felt a pang of regret. 

“Well, senpai is the captain of Rikkai Dai’s Tennis Team. He likes to garden.” Rinko smiled at her quickly, before turning her eyes back to the road. “Just like you then.” She commented off-handed. Hariel nodded happily. “His imouto is a muggleborn, so he reacted really cool to my revelation of being a witch.” She sighed softly, as if remembering her extreme tension. “I was so incredibly relieved.” She muttered lowly. 

Rinko nodded. “That’s right, Ryoga mentioned that he knew about you being a witch. I’m glad that telling him turned out so well Hari-dear.” The girl nodded shyly. “Yeah... so am I.” 

Hariel rambled about her favourite bluenette, and Rinko nodded indulgently, happy that Hariel was able to open up more now. It had taken months before she ever volunteered information without being asked first. 

“So then, Seiichi-senpai explained why Kirihara-kun thought I was insulting him by calling him a girl.” Hariel frowned thoughtfully, pale pink lips forming a pout slowly. “I think I understand now, but I just do not agree. I really don’t like all these... prejudices based on genders.” 

Rinko snorted. “As a female lawyer, I regret to tell you, it never gets better. There are always idiots who think that I must be easy to defeat in the court rooms simply because I am a woman. It is wrong, but what can you do...” 

Hariel frowned harder, biting her lip angrily. “Anything a boy can do, I can do better.” She muttered resentfully. Hariel wasn’t exactly prone to fits of temper, but when she did get angry, she got spectacularly angry. It seemed like the casual sexism that existed almost everywhere, always mild and always swept under the rug when exposed, was pissing her off. 

“I believe in you, Hariel.” Rinko smiled at her, her fierce baby-girl. 

Softly Hariel knocked on Yukimura’s hospital door, almost shyly. “Come on in.” A melodious voice called softly. 

Shoving open the door carefully, Hariel entered the room, Rinko slowly following her. 

“Hey, Seiichi-senpai, this is my, my kaa-chan, Echizen Rinko.” Hariel managed to introduce her with barely a hitch in her voice. 

Yukimura didn’t get up, pale and weak-limbed as he was today, but he nodded politely. “It’s nice to meet you Echizen-san." He stated politely. 

Rinko blinked, somehow this wasn’t what she expected. She didn’t know why... but she just hadn’t. Surprised, she watched as Hariel climbed into the hospital bed as if she had done it a hundred times before. Her daughter pulled down his t-shirt, under Rinko’s slowly widening eyes, and then she drew two runes in thick violet lines over his collarbones.  

Yukimura’s strong hand weakly clenched around her petite hand. “Don’t overexert yourself, Hariel-chan.” He protested slowly. It was not one of his better days. 

“I won’t, I didn’t draw anything for energy, this is just to block the pain.” She explained easily, finishing the last rune. With a soft spike in the light they emitted, the runes sank into his skin, and the tight lines around his eyes which spoke of pain eased. 

“Thank you.” A soft kiss was pressed against her forehead, and Hariel, her Hariel, who still had so much difficulty with letting anyone close just leaned into his side, easily. Trusting even... 

“So, Yukimura-kun. I heard that you tutored Hariel in second year material as well.” Rinko commented almost awkwardly, for a split-second she had felt like the outsider in the room. Hariel blinked at her sleepily, and the moment went away. It was obvious that the two teens were tightly bonded but she was still Hariel’s mother. 

“She’s very clever.” Yukimura commented mildly. “Seiichi-senpai is a very good tutor. He never gets mad at me, and he’s always patient when he explains new concepts to me.” Hariel commented happily, unaware that she was giving them a painful glimpse into her old life. Yukimura frowned slightly. “All teachers and tutors should be patient so long as their student is trying. You always try very hard Hariel-chan.” He smiled at her kindly, ruffling her long hair. “You’ve been a very good student.” 

Hariel blushed, a rosy flush high on her cheeks, shyly she glanced away. “Thank you.” She eventually said softly. “Yes, thank you for tutoring my daughter Yukimura-kun.” Rinko thanked him seriously, going as far as to bow in respect. This boy had helped her daughter heal from wounds they couldn’t help her with and she was grateful. 

The navy-haired boy shook his head. “Don’t thank me, I was happy not to be alone after all.” Hariel curled into his side happily, always happy to cuddle with him. Her magic sank into him and bonded them ever tighter. Despite the fact that her bond with Fuji was likely going to be very strong, and fairly soon as well if things continued this way, right now this was the strongest bond she had. 

It didn’t mean she loved any of her other friends and her family less. 

“Well, it was nice to meet you, Yukimura-kun. You are always welcome to come over for dinner if you’d like.” He nodded happily, glad that she was so accepting of him. “Thank you Echizen-san, it was nice to meet you as well.” She nodded kindly. “Hari-dear, I have to go now. You can walk back or call Ryoga.” “Okay kaa-chan. Thanks for bringing me.” “It was no problem dear.” 

With a final round of goodbyes, the lawyer left, the door clicking shut behind her softly. 

“Your mom seems nice.” The violet-eyed boy commented slowly. Hariel nodded happily. “Yeah, kaa-chan is pretty amazing.” Yukimura snorted, tickling her sides until she was a giggling panting mess in his lap. “So are you, you know.” She blushed. “I... thanks. I can’t... see it myself, but thank you.” 

He sighed, reeling her in easily. “All in good time I suppose.”  

Her phone played a piano melody. Hariel blushed, that was Fuji’s ringtone after all. Fishing her cell phone out of her pocket, she unlocked the smartphone. She read the message silently. 

Then she blushed bright red. Yukimura curiously watched her face. “Oh... is that from Fuji?” He asked, smirking slightly. She nodded slowly. “I uh... yeah. He’s been...” She bit her lip, face bright red. Yukimura smiled at her. “You really like him.” He stated, like it was a fact. Hariel merely nodded, unable to deny it, at least with him. 

“He texted to ask me when I’m free to go shopping. I mentioned off-handed that I’d like to experience that girly event at least once.” She shrugged loosely. “Syusuke-san knows that I don’t have any female friends here. He offered to come with me. I... still only have second-hand clothes or...” 

Her throat closed up, and it felt like she was admitting something worse than merely stupid clothes. Most people who knew her realised that she didn’t come from the best back ground, but this was.. More than implying, it was flat out admitting that her relatives had hated her. 

And she still felt like that was her fault... 

“Clothes my aunt bought me. To cover up my freakishness.” She bit out sharply, tears gathering in the corners of her eyes. 

Yukimura’s violet eyes widened, and then narrowed angrily. To tell something like that to anybody, much less a child in your care... A lot of things about the tiny girl curled into his side suddenly made a horrifying amount of sense. 

He had suspicions before, that her homelife hadn’t been happy. This... proved that it was likely worse. 

“Hariel-chan...” He whispered, speechless. What was there to say. “You are not a freak. You are a smart, strong, amazing girl. I am so happy that you came into my life.” He told her, violet eyes burning fiercely. Hariel smiled at him, a watery expression which was still filled with more joy then should be possible. 

“I believed them, for a long time. When my Hogwarts letter came I was so happy. I thought that I belonged in the magical world.” She sighed. “I don’t think you ever heard my full story. I am...” She snorted bitterly, angry, glimmers of hate burning in her suddenly poison green eyes. 

“I am famous. In the Wizarding World, they call me, it’s ridiculous, but they call me the Girl-Who-Lived.” She frowned. “I despise that name, as if the night I lived wasn’t also the night my parents died defending me. The night that destroyed any chance of a happy childhood.” 

She told him, about the stone, the immense snake. About Voldemort possessing another student. The little sister of her once friend. About her innocent godfather and the rat who betrayed her parents. Further back, about the night the Dark Lord came for them. Of hearing her mother screaming. 

Then, the murder she committed in self-defence, and the way nobody thought she might need help with that. The way her teacher had burned under her hands, driven to his death by her fear and the love of her mother. 

Now that she was finally talking, the words wouldn’t stop, like a flood all of her horrible secrets left her. Yukimura remained calm, a steady strong shoulder to lean on. He was horrified, but there would be time for that later, she needed him. 

The last few weeks at Hogwarts, being hated, hexed constantly. Of the death trap she had never wanted to be part of, nobody believing her. Finally, the way she had found Hedwig. Her beloved familiar, pinned to the ground in a mockery of flight, her wings stained with crimson. Her glassy golden eyes, so empty... 

Then after all of the horrifying events during her school years, quieter, she whispered about her cupboard. About never being good enough. Being hunted, always ostracized. Never getting to make friends without Dudley driving them away. Of Aunt Petunia and her hateful words, of the tiny scars she still had from the burning oil when she was forced to learn how to cook, only six years old. 

Of an uncle who would scream at her, and sometimes smack her. Of the fear that one day he would do more. Of a cousin who was encouraged to hate her, and who followed his parents blindly, beating her up until she had blood in the corners of her mouth and ribs which were always cracked. 

Of the heat healing her, which she now realised her been her instinctive magic. 

The hunger... worked for every scrap. She had been invisible or hated, called freak or girl, and never ever a person. 

Yukimura pulled her into his lap, completely shielding her, as if he could still protect her from her past. Hariel, drained but for once at peace curled into him trustingly. 

“So now you know. I’m dangerous. Voldemort will return, and when he does, he will hunt me down to the ends of the earth.” She confessed lowly against his throat. He swallowed, anger and sadness warring in his chest. An arm tightening around her waist and a decision which would change their lives was made in a split second. “I don’t care.” 

Violet met emerald. “I love you, you know me. I know you. I can feel you sometimes.” He stated calmly. “I will never abandon you. You are mine.” 

She sank back against him, all the tension leaving her wrought frame. “Thank you. I will never abandon you either, Seiichi.” Intense green eyes met his. “You are mine to protect, mine to love, and mine to help. I can’t offer much, but I am loyal, I have loyalty written in my bones.” 

A soft kiss and a promise. “I will always be here Hariel.” 

Tired but happy Hariel hopped onto the back of Ryoga’s motorcycle. “Homebound chibi-chan?” She nodded. She leaned against her older brother’s strong back and wondered. Would her family be in danger if she stayed? Could Voldemort even find her if Dumbledore couldn’t? Was he even back, and would he ever come back? She considered it likely, since he had already returned twice. 

The rumbling of the engine and the steady warmth seeping into her made her feel even more tired. She let herself fall asleep, ignoring her spinning mind. There was nothing she could do at the moment. 

She yawned when they pulled into the driveway. Ryoga easily lifted the helmet from her head and when he saw her sleepy face, he snorted. Plucking her up easily, he swung her onto his back and walked to the house. 

“I’m home.” He called out loudly. “And I brought chibi-chan.” “Ah Ryoga, bishoujo, welcome back.” Nanjirou called back from the living room. “Welcome home Ryoga-san, Hariel-chan.” Nanako called softly, she was cooking in the kitchen if that smell was any indication. 

Wrung out from the emotional outpouring Hariel just slumped further into Ryoga’s back, passively allowing him to cart her around.  

“Dinner will be soon.” Nanako said kindly, as she peeked around the corner of the kitchen. Ryoga nodded, carefully dropping Hariel into a kitchen chair. He ruffled her hair softly, as she slumped over onto the table. 

As the rest of the family started setting the table, and Rinko send Nanjirou to fetch Ryoma from his room, Hariel dozed away. She drifted peacefully in the middle of the hustle and bustle. 

A pale finger poked her cheek softly. “Hariel, it’s dinner time.” Ryoma said softly. She blinked and hummed at him. Sitting up straight she tried to focus. Karupin, who liked Nanako and Hariel almost as much as Ryoma easily jumped into her lap. 

He knew better then to fish for food, he just butted his fluffy head against her chin. Hariel smiled, petting the cat softly in reward. “ThanksKarupin.” She murmured into his fur. The Himalayan cat purred softly, sprawling over her lap, rumbling soothingly against her stomach. 

She grinned, cheered up by the feline’s easy faith in her. “I met Yukimura-kun today.” Rinko mentioned to Nanjirou. “He seems like a really nice kid, I invited him to have dinner here sometime.” Ryoga nodded grudgingly. “I still think that he flirts too much with our chibi-chan, but I guess he is... okay.” 

Ryoma cocked his head to the side golden cat eyes pinning Hariel in place. “Ne, Hariel. Are you okay?” Her eyes were ever so faintly red-rimmed and she was obviously exhausted. He always watched out for Hariel, if more unobtrusively then Ryoga tended to do. 

She hummed. “I told Seiichi-senpai about, well about my past. It was hard, but I think he had the right to know. He’s knows me, and because of that he is in danger.” She said softly, looking at her pale knees carefully. Karupin, as if sensing her upset carefully rubbed his head against her clenched hands. 

She smiled wanly, petting the fluffy cat softly. “How did Yukimura react?” Ryoma asked sharply. She smiled shyly. “He was really nice, and fierce. Senpai can be just as stubborn as I am.” That impressed the family. Hariel was generally easy going, but she had enough willpower to make other people pale in comparison. 

Rinko patted her head gently. “I’m happy for you Hari-dear, that he treats you so well. It sounds like you have a really loyal friend in him.” Hariel nodded slowly. “I really do.” She agreed, sounding awed. 

Ryoma’s heart ached, nobody should be that amazed for not being abandoned.  

Slanted and tiny, Hariel’s writing appeared in slow thoughtful sentences. Luna and Hermione blinked at the long letter. “I’m glad that she’s going to school again soon. I hope she makes a lot of friends.” Hermione stated calmly, amber eyes riveted to the happy stories. 

For so long Hariel had talked about anything but her own life, that reading about her mishaps and high points was amazing. It meant that she had a life again. In a way that had been straight up impossible at Hogwarts. 

‘Hariel, please include drawings of all the people you meet. I’m very curious. I’ve been dreaming about a boy lately. I wonder if I really will get married in a silver dress.’ The witch in Japan blinked at the whimsical letters swirling over the page. Was Luna... going to marry someone from Japan? Just what had she been seeing? 

She sighed, half-grinning in frustration. Talking to Luna was always interesting, she’d never been bored by the blonde. It was also mystifying, because she often mentioned things which would only start to make sense hours, days or even weeks later.