#erm anyway sorry if you wanted transformers art

[trashhole]

If I was a different boy I’d color this but I’m not and this took around 5/6ths of the first hobbit movie to finish

[remedialpotions]

Off The Train

Thanks to @mertronus for tagging me in the HPRomione Discord Popcorn game thingy! The prompt she gave me was: "I can finally see you."

I'm tagging @acnelli with the prompt: "You can't just keep pretending things are fine!"

***

”I can’t wait until you get off that train,” says Ron, his voice low and lazy with fatigue, “and I can finally see you.”

Hermione shifts in her bed so she’s lying on her side, mirror held out before her. This way, she can pretend - if she squints a bit, and ignores the crimson hangings of her four-poster bed - that he’s lying next to her, and not hundreds of miles away in London.

“What do you mean, ‘finally’?” Hermione, too, keeps her voice quiet. It won’t do, in her final days as Head Girl, to be waking her dormmates. “You’re looking at me right now.”

“Yeah, but it’s not the same. I can see you, but I can’t touch you, or...” The corner of Ron’s mouth twitches up into a crooked smile. “Or do anything else for that matter.”

“Right. Well,” she says, trying to infuse positivity into her voice, despite the weeks since the Easter holidays dragging into what felt like months and years, despite missing him so much that it’s like a heavy fog surrounding her. “It’s only a couple more days, right?”

“Can’t it be now?” Ron looks like he’s reclined in bed too now, his fiery hair stark against the deep navy of his sheets. “Just get to Hogsmeade, then you can Apparate-“

“You know full well that I cannot,” she replies briskly, even though it’s tempting, really tempting. “It’s-“

“-behavior unbecoming of a Head Girl,” Ron finishes her sentence. “I know. I just miss you, that’s all.”

“I miss you too.”

“I love you,” he adds after a moment’s silence, before his eyes widen with inspiration. “Oh, I’ve got it. What if I Apparate to Hogsmeade, and then walk to the castle - I bet Hagrid would let me through the gates-“

“It’s only two days, Ron.”

He sighs. “Fine.”

“And I love you too.”

He grinned. “Yeah, I know.”

•••

Pigwidgeon is the last owl to fly into the Great Hall, his little wings beating wildly to keep him aloft. With a scrap of parchment clutched in his tiny talons, he struggles over to the Gryffindor table before somersaulting down into Hermione’s lap.

Hermione’s heart sinks, and not just at the sight of the exhausted little bird currently burrowing into the crook of her elbow. Their two-way mirrors mean they don’t usually have to resort to writing letters. Not unless...

Hermione, the parchment reads when she unfolds it. Got called on an emergency mission. I’m not allowed to tell you where or why or even how long but I’m hoping it won’t take too long. I’m still going to be there at King’s Cross, because I’m dying to see you and I can’t wait until all this is over and we can just be together. Anyway, I love you and try not to worry too much. I promise to do my best not to die.

Ron

“Oh, good,” comes Ginny’s voice from beside her, and Hermione turns to see her peering intently at the parchment. “He’s promised not to die, that’s a relief-“

“He’ll be there,” interrupts Hermione, tucking the note in the pocket of her robes before Ginny can further infringe upon her privacy. “If he thinks it’ll only take a day, then I believe him.”

Ginny blinks. “I never said he wouldn’t be.” Plucking Pigwidgeon from Hermione’s lap, she offers him water from her goblet. “I’m sure he knows what he’s talking about.”

“It’s probably just a quick day trip,” Hermione rationalizes, eyes focused hard on Pigwidgeon as he drinks so she doesn’t have to see the sympathy she knows is etched on Ginny’s face, “and he just wanted me to know in case - well-”

“In case he dies?”

Ginny’s attempt at a joke falls flat.

“Well, just in case, you know, something were to - to happen,” Hermione stammers, “and anyway, it’s just good for me to know - I like to know what he’s up to - not in a controlling way or anything, just-”

“Of course,” Ginny interjects bracingly. “I’m sure he just wanted you to know, that’s all. I’m sure he’ll be there.”

Hermione picks up her mug of tea and holds it close to her face so the steam washes over her. She knows what they’re both thinking but are unwilling to say: that in the year Ron and Harry have been Aurors, neither has had a mission run shorter than a week.

•••

And so Hermione sits with Ginny and Luna on the train, watching the Scottish Highlands slowly transform into the low, tidy hills of the English countryside outside her window and hoping against hope that Ron will be there on Platform 9 and ¾. But she hasn’t heard from him since that first letter, and his mirror has gone dark. This doesn’t worry her - not for his safety, anyway - but it does make it difficult to share in Ginny’s gleeful anticipation as the train pulls into King’s Cross.

She busies herself with tending to Crookshanks, who is furious about his prolonged confinement in his basket, as Harry and Ginny embrace on the platform. It’s not that she’s upset, not really. Ron is doing what he needs to do, and she would never want him shirking his responsibilities just so he can kiss her on a train platform for the first time since April. She just wishes things could be different.

After Harry and Ginny depart for Grimmauld Place, she flags down a taxi and rides alone to her parents’ home. The family car is parked in front, which is unusual for a weekday, but when she goes inside, she finds her parents have been eagerly awaiting her arrival and can hardly let her set down her trunk before whisking her away to an upscale restaurant in South Kensington.

“So, tell us about school,” says Mum with an eager smile once they’re seated at their candlelit table. “How were your exams? I want to hear everything.”

“I will later,” Hermione replies, raising her brows and tipping her head pointedly in the direction of the waiter currently pouring red wine into their glasses.

“Oh, right, right, of course. Well, anyway, dear,” she begins as the waiter sets down menus and strides away, “your father and I have a little surprise for you.”

It’s foolish, she knows, but her mind leaps instantly to Ron. Maybe all of this business with his mission has been a ruse, and he’s here in London after all, and she’ll be able to come up with an excuse to spend the night at Grimmauld Place…

Until she notices that her parents are still talking, and there’s no tall, lanky, red-haired wizard to be seen in this high-end French restaurant, but there are three Eurostar boarding passes laid out across the tablecloth.

“Sorry,” says Hermione, shaking her head to clear away the daydream, “what’s going on?”

“We’re going to Paris!” announces Mum with delight. “We thought it would be so lovely to spend time together since you’ve been away for so long, and you’re about to start your new job - and I know you’ve always wanted to go there. We’ve got ten whole days, and everything’s booked, so all you’ve got to do is pack.”

“That - that’s - that’s brilliant,” Hermione musters, forcing her lips into some semblance of a smile. Her parents beam so brightly back that it’s almost difficult to look at them. “Erm, so when are we leaving?”

She crosses her fingers under the table, praying they’ll say August, or her birthday in September, or Christmas, anything but-

“This weekend!”

Of course.

•••

Paris is beautiful. It exceeds every single one of Hermione’s expectations. She and her parents consume copious amounts of bread, cheese and wine, they visit museums and cafes and old bookstores, they ascend to the top of the Eiffel Tower and take in the view. She thinks of Ron constantly as she walks the cobbled streets, as she crosses the Pont des Artes and sees the countless locks affixed to its railing. Before she left, she sent Harry an owl to tell him that she was leaving, so Ron would know where she was if he returned home before she did. As they can’t communicate when she’s staying in a Muggle hotel, she truly has no idea where he is, but she tells herself that he’s still on his mission. It feels better that way, imagining that even if she stayed in London, there would still be obstacles keeping them apart.

On their last day, she nearly empties out a patisserie buying eclairs and macarons for Ron, and then they board the Eurostar back to England. Nervous anticipation grips her stomach as the train barrels through the tunnel (idly, she wonders if Ron’s dad is aware of this train that travels underwater, and makes a mental note to tell him), because she has no idea what awaits her back in London. What if Ron’s still away? Or worse - what if something’s happened to him, and she’s been off enjoying a holiday while he’s been suffering?

The train can’t move quickly enough. Hermione can focus on nothing - not the paperback romance novel her mother has loaned her to read, not the Muggle newspaper that her father is engrossed in, not even the argument of the couple seated across the aisle from them. It’s only a two-hour trip, so why does it feel like it’s taking days?

She checks her mirror, but it’s still dark.

“You go ahead, sweetheart,” says Dad when the train finally rolls to a stop in St. Pancras station. “We’ll get the cases.”

Hermione looks up at the luggage rack over their heads, then at her parents. “Are you sure? I’ll bring mine-”

“We can manage. Go on ahead, get some fresh air.”

She doesn’t bother reminding them that train station air is hardly fresh, and instead heads down the aisle with just her purse and the box of pastries in tow. Truly, she’s not sure why her parents have sent her off the train without them; with the station as busy as it is, they’ll surely lose track of each other.

But then she sees him. Standing a head above the crowd, hands shoved into the pockets of his jeans, his bright blue eyes scan the throngs of travelers. At first, she doesn’t believe her eyes. Surely, she’s just become so desperate to see him that she’s actually begun hallucinating.

But as she draws closer, he doesn’t ripple into nothingness, he doesn’t fade away. He’s really, truly there, his red hair curling behind his ears, one knee jiggling with pent-up energy the way it always does when he’s particularly impatient. As he turns his head, still surveying the crowd, their eyes lock and the rest of the station recedes into the background. Finally, they’re within sight of each other after months of hushed mirror conversations and stolen moments borrowing Professor McGonagall’s Floo. Hermione picks up speed, nearly skipping across the concrete in her haste, and flings herself into his waiting arms.

She fits against him perfectly. The fabric of his faded t-shirt is soft against her cheek as she breathes him in, and for the first time in recent memory, words fail her completely.

The box of pastries thuds to the ground.

“Hi,” he mutters, lips brushing her skin and sending chills up her spine.

“How - how did you-”

“Harry told me where you’d gone.” He presses a kiss to her cheek, and then, at long last, their lips connect. “It’s not that hard to look up train schedules.”

As reluctant as she is to pull away from him, she leans back just enough to look up at him. Behind the freckles scattered across his face, his cheeks have gone pink. “You’re amazing,” she tells him, rising on tiptoe for another kiss, unconcerned with the passersby and the blast of nearby train whistles.

Ron lifts one shoulder in a casual shrug when they break apart. “Had to meet you on a train platform somehow.”

[dietaku]

Amazing Quest 1: Chapter 1

An older project I was part of. This isn’t going to replace Photon Breaker Zechs; just something else for you all to enjoy. This is an Infrequently Asked Questions; a walk-through for a game which doesn’t exist.

Cast:

Hiro D. Protagonist

Class: Pudding Warrior

Element: Light

Weapons: Swords/Shields

The hero of the story, he has the ability to transform into the powerful Pudding form. He also is something of an idealist and romantic; something both his party-members and enemies capitalize on (read: rib on endlessly).

Ozma Zorus Toruble

Class: Martial Princess

Element: Fire

Weapons: Knuckles

The princess of the Toruble kingdom, and practitioner of the ancient fighting art of Tsien-Do. She has many detractors (Waaa, waaaaa, MUH MOE PRINCESS) but her head-exploding effectiveness cannot be denied.

Kimyawa

Class: Ninja Elite

Element: Wind

Weapons: Shuriken

A buxom kunoichi that Hiro and Ozma rescues from the Dark Puddings, she is a cheerful young woman and also a complete glass cannon. Her toss ability, combined with her insane speed and high attack makes her popular with offensively-minded players.

Loyroll

Class: The Loyroll

Element: N/A

Weapons: Swords

Loyroll. Just Loyroll. There's really no other way to describe Kimaywa's brother. Well, alright, I'll try. Imagine Elton John and Oscar Wilde. Those two fused into one being combined with every Kurosawa hero, that's Loyroll. He fights the Dark Puddings, but only between his true calling: fighting Dinosaurs. Can you match his tempo?

Mancala

Class: Happy Merchant Mermaid

Element: Water

Weapons: Abacus

A ruthless capitalist mermaid who seeks to further her own ends, no matter the cost. This means she'll stoop to no low to keep her investments in the black. Good thing for Hiro, she's on his side, lest his life would be a living hell. Wait....

Moore

Class: Miner

Element: Earth

Weapons: Shovels

An unlucky miner who is trapped by Modt of the Dark Pudding's Heavenly Kings. If you rescue him, you gain a robust, steadfast companion, unfazed by the weirdness that Hiro seems to attract. Not that it makes the World of Dreams any more tolerable. :\

Deima

Class: Furry (Nyuck-Nyuck)

Element: N/A

Weapons: Staves

A powerful Chimera sorceress that assisted ancient Puddings seal Halst away. Her powerful magic makes her a potent ally, as does her adamant refusal to wear pants. She adds a.....unique air to Hiro's party.

Emilia the Sword God

Class: Dark Pudding Slayer

Element: N/A

Weapons: Emilia's Saber

If you manage to acquire Emilia's saber then you gain Hiro's brusque older sister as an ally. Her powerful Pease Pudding form makes her a much-needed relief to the unrelenting late-game. A shame, then, that she cannot use any weapons save her own saber.

Walk-through:

Chapter 1: From one Fire to....Another Fire!

(It is an Age of Myth. The Great Clan of Pudding has always sought to slay Evil and pursue Justice. To this end, they threw down the evil goddess Halst and sealed her in her Higher Realms. To keep her there, they made five Talismans of Power. However, in recent years, a legend of a goddess who can grant any wish if all Talismans are gathered has been circulating. Because of this, half of the Puddings have turned on their brethren. These Dark Puddings seek to dominate the world, and only their embattled cousins, the Light Puddings, can stop them....

It is an Age of Myth, and War. This is the Amazing Quest.)

(A group of people are in a house, as one runs in)

Man: The Dark Puddings are attacking!

You then take control of one of the people, the teenaged Hiro. Talk to the older looking woman In the corner with the green cloak and the blue hair.

Woman: Ah, Hiro, you're here. Those Dark Pudding bastards have arrived. I want you to get to the cellar. You're our last hope!

Hiro: But, Emilia! The Dark Puddings! They'll--

Emilia: Leave it to me! My P-Centage is the highest of our family!

(Emilia then leaves out of the door to the right)

You then take control of Emilia. Make your way outside, and you'll see the village is on fire. To the northeast is a series of turbaned soldiers and a single redheaded woman in a fez.

Fez Woman: Ah, Emilia the Sword God makes her appearance. Soldier! What is her P-Centage?

Soldier:(Fiddling with a handheld screen) It's....It's over--

Fez Woman: I swear to Lulz, if you continue down this road, you'll be sorry!

Soldier: Yes, Lady Jaydea! Her P-Centage is just short of Four Thousand.

Jaydea: Heh, I didn't think the Sword God was so weak. Soldiers! Dispose of her!

(Five soldiers surround Emilia)

Emilia: I'm getting way too elegant for this shit.

You're then thrust into a battle with five D. Pudding Soldiers. This isn't even a challenge. Merely engage Pudding Form, and use the Steam Breath attack to kill them all. Something that always gets me, though, is Emilia's arm shaking idle-motion, as if she's pleasuring her energy saber. How very phallic, Jeffcom.

Jaydea: ….Interesting...But there's one thing you did not calculate.

Emilia: That you're a punk-ass bitch?

Jaydea: You insolent little cur!

You're then thrust into battle with Jaydea. However, there's nothing you can do. After three turns, she'll engage her Pudding form, and it's over. However, for funniness' sake, use Emilia's “Choice Words” skill to make Jaydea freak out at your sick burns.

Jaydea: (Standing over Emilia's smoldering body) I think we're done here. Men! Move out!

You then take control of Hiro, and can move freely about. The Dark Puddings are no longer there, but the village, or Firstown, as the store owner tells you, is in ruins.

Pudding Elder: Hiro! You survived!

Hiro: I know, it was crazy!

Pudding Elder: I am sorry to say, your sister has passed away--

Hiro: Emilia?! NOOOOOOOOOOO

Pudding Elder: Let me finish! She and that Jaydea woman passed away over the Far Bridge, past Ddimel Nowhere! If you hurry, you can get to her! Hiro, you are the product of a breeding program to counter the Dark Puddings. Now is your chance to prove your worth!

Hiro: Wow, um, I'll do my best!

Pudding Elder: Yeah, no pressure or anything, but we're all depending on you.

Hiro: Erm, thanks.

The first thing to do after the elder tells you this is to go onto the Overworld, and grind until you reach level 5, when you get the Rice Pudding form. After you do so, make your way to the east, to a tower there. The sign calls it the Fog Tower, but its actual name in Japanese was “Toad Fortress,” so good going, translation team!

--Fog Tower--

The first thing you'll note, is that the humidity of the Tower lowers your speed significantly. Also, the tower has much tougher enemies than outside, with such lovelies as the Smooch Toad, the Friendly Frog, and the Sweaty Fly all tougher than the munchkins outside. However, you can easily get up to levels 8-9 thanks to them, so search around. The tower is pretty straightforward, and the healing fountains make it even easier. You'll find a buckler, several dengakus, and a Frog Diadem helmet.  After you get all of these items, head to the northwest, where you'll find a dog dressed in a frog costume.

Frog-Dog: Woofwoofwoof! Now, we frogs will take over the region, all thanks to those Dark Puddings!

Hiro: Um, hello! Can I go through?

Frog-Dog: Woofwoofwoof! You! And that birthmark in the shape of a submarine! You must be the one Lady Jaydea told me of! We Frogs will not stand for this!

Hiro: Um, excuse me? I'm pretty sure you're a dog, not a frog.

Dog: That is impossible! I have smooth skin and a long tongue!

Hiro: That's a costume, and you're panting.

Dog: What of my regal bearing and webbed feet?

Hiro: What about your wagging tail?

Dog: I'll smash you to Kibbles and WOOF!

--Boss Battle!--

Frog-Dog King x1

LP: 1000

MP: 250

The Frog-Dog King  is tough, unless you try Rice Pudding. Once you do, the sheer force of your awesome, stupendous...pathetically weak Pudding Form causes the King to double over with laughter, rendering him unable to act for the rest of the battle. Then, simply revert and assault him with normal attacks. If not, then prepare for “Sticky Tongue” and Water-1 to smack you to pieces. Not hard in either case, but still...

--Boss Battle!--

Frog-Dog King: WOOFWOOFWOOF! SO FUNNY! (Explodes)

Hiro: I'm the product of Pudding Eugenics, and I'm STILL this weak? What happened?

(At this, the air in the Tower cleared as the Frog-Dog's panting ceased)

At this, head outside, to find a grateful king and his entourage.

King: Ah, great Hero! You saved my castle from those detestable frogs!

Hiro: You too? It was a dog!

King: Now that the evil Frog King has been slain, we of Dimopint will happily assist against the Dark Puddings!

(At this point, the earth shakes and tosses everyone to the ground. The Fog Tower then collapses right in front of you)

King: Great God, the Dark Puddings must have [Quake Control]!

Hiro: How'd you do that?

King: Eh?

Hiro: Make something seem all important?

King: Oh, It's something that comes with the [Plot], now Hero, since you possess the [Holy Birthmark] you ought to take care of the Dark Puddings and their earthquakes! They have a camp to the southeast. Please avenge our home!

Hiro: (Grumbles)

You then need to proceed to the southeast, as directed, which will lead you to a city on the coast. You need to wait until it's night before you continue on, though, as the Dark Pudding soldiers will capture you, and therefore cause a Game Over. Once it's night, though, half of the Dark Puddings are asleep, allowing you to sneak by. Beware, though, those strange guns that they're carrying hurt, and if you alert them, they'll call more to compensate any you manage to defeat. Once you reach the middle of the city, there's a small building labeled “ Headquarters” enter there to find another dungeon, the Dark Pudding Underground.

--Dark Pudding Underground--

The Dark Pudding Underground is an interesting place. Apparently, the Dark Puddings either drilled directly into Hell or somehow managed to safely harness lava for their own purposes. Anyways, the path is straightforward, with few dead ends. I recommend leveling to 10 here before proceeding on to the end. You'll see why. After you find a rope bridge going north, be warned, a boss awaits you.

(Hiro walks across a bridge to see Jaydea conversing with a gigantic man wearing a metal helmet and another turbaned soldier)

Jaydea: The Light Puddings are no more, save for that so-called “God of Swords”

Man: We'll find a use for her soon enough. What of the search for the Talismans?

Soldier: (Pulls a silk sheet off a podium, revealing a gleaming brown jewel) My Lord, Zoddon, we have found it! The Earth Talisman!

Zoddon: Excellent, with this, our ambition is almost within our grasp.

Hiro: Hey! What are you doing? Where's Emilia?

Zoddon: Who is this?

Jaydea: Some pipsqueak of the Light Puddings. With the Sword God in our possession they have no notable fighters left.

Zoddon: Is that so? Boy, I'll say this for your own sake. Go back. This world...is corrupt. We of the Dark Puddings need to execute this ambition, for your sake, ours' and the entire World.

Hiro: And you burned down my village and kidnapped my sister for....what exactly?

Zoddon: I tire of this. Jaydea, dispose of him...

Jaydea: Torzus, dispose of him.

Torzus: (The soldier from earlier) Yes, my lady!

Zoddon: If you manage to survive this era, then come to see me again. I will be in the city of Gemadne on the Far Continent.

Hiro: You'll see!

(Jaydea and Zoddon step on a blue circle to the right and warp off)

Torzus: Don't forget about me, fool!

--Boss Battle!--

Torzus x1

Vulcan Machine x1

Torzus Stats

LP: 2000

MP: 300

Vulcan Machine Stats

LP: 1000

MP: 0

Torzus is difficult not because of himself, but because of the machine behind him. Every so often, he'll use the “Torzus fiddled with the Vulcan Machine” action, and you'll take 40+ damage due to seismic activity. The trick is to focus on the Vulcan Machine, until it dies, which will kill Torzus.

--Boss Battle!--

Torzus: Ugh, my brothers will avenge me!

(Torzus shifts the range dial to “Entire Continent” and smashes the ignition, as the machine hums and sparks dangerously)

Torzus: (Salutes) LIFE AND PROSPERITY TO EMPEROR ZODDON! (Explodes)

Hiro: Again with the exploding. I hope I don't do that.

Quickly, interact with the machine, which describes the “Massive energy flowing out of the machine.” It then asks if you'd like to remove the Earth Talisman. Do so, and then walk over to the blue circle where Zoddon and Jaydea warped out of. There's actually a hidden timer here, and if thirty seconds pass without you getting the Earth Talisman and walking over to the circle, then you'll get a Game Over, as the city explodes, and you get the message that “The Era of War never Ended”

However, if you DO...

Hiro: WARP!

(Nothing happens and the shaking grows stronger)

Hiro: Uh....WARP! WARP! WARP! PLEASE!

(The circle begins to spark)

Hiro: Oh, Cra--

(The entire Dark Pudding Camp explodes violently, collapsing into the earth, as Hiro is launched violently into the sky)

(Meanwhile, in nearby Toruble, a Pyrophobics Anonymous picnic is taking place, as a flaming star descends on it)

Hiro: -AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAP!

(The Picnic is then consumed by the impact, leaving a smoldering crater, which a large, muscle-bound woman looks into)

[athyrabunlord]

LLSHP Ch6 - Calling

Arc1: [Chapter 1] [Chapter 2] [Chapter 3] [Chapter 4] [Chapter 5] [Chapter 6] [Chapter 7]

Arc2: [Chapter 8] [Chapter 9] [Chapter 10 - Moonstruck (TBD)]

[Brief note about School Term] [other LLSHP AU stuff] [YohaMaRuby concept arts] [ChikaYouRiko concept arts] [KanaDiaMari concept arts] [Hogwarts Staff]

A/N: I have no excuses. I’m sorry this chapter is so delayed (눈_눈) anyone still remember this AU? lolool Maa, I would consider this a rest chapter? At least, the plot is moving =A=;;; Anyway, any feedback is very needed greatly appreciated! Words: 5,594

Yoshiko suppresses the urge to yawn, her eyes blinking rapidly in an effort to wake up. The sun is barely peeking over the Forbidden Forest in the distance, and the Hogwarts school ground is filled with silence rather than chatters of witches and wizards. Normally, a night owl such as herself would not be awake at such ungodly hour. But! There’s something she looks forward today - the early bird gets the worm and, in this case, gets the Quidditch Pit!

“Morning! Come on, hurry up you two, we’re gonna be late!”

The Slytherin waves at her Hufflepuff best friends, whose movements only speed up a little at her call. Yoshiko grumbles under her breath but patiently waits for Hanamaru and Ruby to reach her. She didn’t want to go to the Pit by herself so she… kindly invited the two girls to come with her. While neither Hanamaru nor Ruby seem too interested in Quidditch, they still agree to accompany her.

Yoshiko really appreciates their support.

Her fascination with Quidditch started a week ago after her first Flying Lesson. Being Instructor Kousaka’s fangirl, Chika was somehow present during the lesson too and noticed how much Yoshiko enjoyed flying. Naturally, she told her buddy You all about it and the two Gryffindors invited her to come watch their practice session.

Yoshiko feels it weird to watch a different House play, rather than her own, but the dynamic duo would not have it any other way. “Different House or not, you’re our friend, Yoshiko-chan! So You-chan and I will show you just how awesome Quidditch is, hehe!”

Pleased and rather touched by Chika’s words, Yoshiko has vowed to never refer to the two older girls ‘dumb and dumber’ again. Chika and You do have a completely different side when it comes to the sport. They truly are passionate about what they love and that’s something she can relate to and respect. While Yoshiko wasn’t particularly enthusiastic about muggle sports back then, she imagines Quidditch to be super cool since there’s the flying component.

Imagine, conquering the sky like the majestic fallen angel she’s meant to be!

Alas, Hanamaru’s continuous yawning is sort of dampening her excitement.

“Geez I’ve already reminded you again and again last night to go to bed early, why did you set camp at the library again?”

The petite brunette indeed looks tired, though in that content sort of way, and her steps wobble every now and then like she is sleep-walking or something. Yoshiko and Ruby keep close to her as they exchange worried looks, wondering whether to help her carry those thick textbooks or to steady her.

“I can’t help it zura. These books are just so fascinating~”

Yoshiko peeks at some of the pages with bookmarks sticking out it, since she’s unable to pull the books out of Hanamaru’s adamant grip. Hmm, these are all higher-level Potion texts. “Why were you reading these anyway? I thought you’re pretty good at the subject?”

Hanamaru gives her a sleepy smile, which Yoshiko totally does not find to be cute. “You’re still having trouble with Potions right? So once I understand the subject better, I should be able to help you zura!”

“Erm but Lily’s been tutoring me y’know? Thanks to her, I was able to breeze past the written tests!... most of the time anyway. Even she still can’t figure out why my cauldron keeps exploding when I try to brew potions. Oh! She’s been trying to charm this test cauldron so that- “

She proudly chatters on and on as she recalls all those study sessions with her awesome little demon. As per Riko’s promise, she’s been helping Yoshiko with her homework as well as taking her to visit the Thestrals weekly.

“... baka Yoshiko-chan.”

Hanamaru puffs her cheeks and briskly walks ahead, leaving a confused Yoshiko behind.

“What’s with her?”

To her surprise, Ruby is also pouting. “I-I understand where Hanamaru-chan’s coming from.”

“Huh? W-What did I do?” Yoshiko’s starting to get worried now. She teases the brunette enough that the latter gets miffed at her often, but Ruby’s never been upset at her before so this must be serious.

As if sensing her thoughts, Ruby’s expression softens though she still looks exasperated. “It’s just… well, you don’t really spend as much time with us anymore.”

“I don’t?”

Yoshiko drops her gaze, frowning thoughtfully. She took Riko and the golden cat’s advice and did end up telling Dia about everything, and to Hanamaru and Ruby as well. Since then, she would talk to Dia every night at the Slytherin common room about anything unusual that’s happened to her. Even though the Head Girl is always busy, she would set time aside and patiently listen to her. Sometimes, they would talk way into midnight, which makes Yoshiko sheepish for taking so much of Dia’s time, but the older girl never complains.

Dia doesn’t know the reason behind those blank states of mind that Yoshiko sporadically experiences, but she promises the latter that she’s researching on it. As a precautionary measure, Dia has charmed Yoshiko’s scarf to trip her whenever she gets -that- feeling again. While it’s painful to fall flat on her face, this trick has proved its worth a few times already, snapping her awake before she wanders off into the Forbidden Forest.

On the other hand, Hanamaru has buried herself in the library while Yoshiko and Ruby try to locate the Room of Requirement again. Even then, their combined efforts have been fruitless so far, whether about the mysterious room or the Boggart’s nature.

Yoshiko is still unable to acknowledge that her greatest desire is to become an angel, while her worst fear is herself, a fallen angel. Or, at least, that’s what she deduces from the encounter with the Mirror of Erised and the Boggart’s transformation. There must be something else that’s missing.

Overall, however, she is indeed spending more time with Dia and Riko.

“I didn’t mean to... I’m sorry.”

Ruby seems taken aback by her apology. “That’s not what I meant, Yoshiko-chan. Hanamaru-chan and I just want you to know that, um, you can d-depend on us more. W-We’ll do everything we can to help you.”

“You already have. You have know idea how relieved I was when I told you two everything…” Yoshiko coughs awkwardly. She refuses to get all teary again. One time is enough. “But it goes both ways too! I, the great Yohane, will protect my little demons and friends. That said, I still don’t know what the deal was with the Dementor.”

Yoshiko and Ruby glance at each other before looking at Hanamaru, who is walking ahead of them. The brunette doesn’t recall ever encountering that terrifying creature, though she admits that her mind just shuts down whenever she tries to remember. After Yoshiko and Ruby’s suggestion, Hanamaru has also talked to Dia about it. The Head Girl suggested that her mind purposefully erased the memory to protect her psyche, but her subconscious still remembers and that was where the Boggart received the information to transform.

“Yeah, you can depend on me more too, Ruby,” Yoshiko murmurs as a thought occurs to her. Ruby seems proud of their complete trust in Dia, but their closeness to her older sister probably hurts her. Surely, Ruby would want to speak to the older Kurosawa just as easily as Yoshiko and Hanamaru do. Now that Yoshiko has gotten to know Dia more, she’s certain that there must be a reason why Dia is so distant to her little sister.

Again, something’s missing from this puzzle. Yoshiko sighs irritably. Even the intelligent fallen angel gets tired of mysteries, though the answers probably won’t reveal themselves any time soon.

“I agree with Yoshiko-chan,” Hanamaru has slowed down her pace to let the other two catch up to her. “Yoshiko-chan may be a dummy, but she is helpful zura!”

“Who’re you calling a dummy, Bakamaru?!”

Ruby giggles at their banter. “This is just what I want~ … piki!” The redhead blushed after realizing what she just said. As if by unspoken agreement, Yoshiko and Hanamaru hugged Ruby on each side.

“Hehe, Ruby-chan is so cute~” The brunette fawns over her friend while the Slytherin makes a pose.

“Now, no more gloomy talk and let us get back on track for the Quidditch hype!”

“Are you thinking about joining the team, Yoshiko-chan?”

“Ku ku ku, maybe~ How about you, Zuramaru? You said you didn’t like it but you sure flew around once you got used to it!” Yoshiko still remembered how the brunette zoomed all over the field while properly seated on the school broom and shouting ‘mirai zura~’ with a rare childish expression.

“Nah, I enjoy the magical feeling of flying but I don’t think I can play competitively…”

“Ruby then?”

“M-Me?!” Out of the three of them, Ruby is the most experienced flyer, most likely due to being a Pureblood and growing up with brooms readily available. “Um, I would only resort to riding a broom if I have to…”

“Daww, but think about it, what if we each join our House team? You’re small and pretty fast so you should be a good Seeker~! Heh, I’ll probably be a Chaser so I can score like a champ and there’s nothing Zuramaru can do to stop me!”

Hanamaru pouts. “Why am I a Keeper? And why are you so sure I won’t be able to block your shots zura?”

“Because you’re slow- or, on second thoughts, you can just sit on your broom, with books stacked so high to block the hoops, and eat and eat until you balloon up and block-”

A book comes flying to her face, but Yoshiko smoothly dodges it with a smirk. Hanamaru is scowling now as she charms the heavy ‘Hogwarts: A History’ book back to her arms.

“I thought no one’s allowed to touch that precious book?”

“Don’t worry, I’ve fortified the exterior so it’d hurt extra when I hit you with it zura!”

Their staring match doesn’t last long as usual. Yoshiko doesn’t know who starts giggling first but the three of them are laughing by the time they arrive at the Quidditch Pit.

All is well, it seems. Ruby is right. Yoshiko misses this kind of light-hearted atmosphere with her best friends.

“Wow, will you look at that!”

The trio looks up at the red and gold figures streaking around the arena, in awe of how fluid and natural they appear in the sky. The sight is nothing compared to the haphazard broom-riding during those Flying Lessons.

No, these players truly are flying, as if they have become one with their brooms.

The goofy smile is nowhere to be seen on the mikan-haired Gryffindor. With a confident and fiery grin, Chika dives down and swings her stubby club at a round, jet-black ball. There is a rather noticeable ‘Kan’ upon the strike, which is the only warning that a nearby player has before the Bludger swerves towards him. Startled, the wizard drops a football-sized red ball in order to avoid getting hit in the shoulder, but his teammate easily catches the Quaffle and continues his way towards the three hoops. He feigns throwing the ball and abruptly jerks up to hurl it at a different angle.

Kanan, whose long hair is tied at her nape, snatches the Quaffle before it comes anywhere near the side hoop. Another Chaser, a dark-haired witch whose curly tresses is tied in a similar way, waves her arm at the Captain.

When Kanan doesn’t pass her the Quaffle, she smoothes back her wild strands with a defeated smile. “Ah, game’s over?”

“Yup, You’s got the Golden Snitch. It’s our loss this round, Shun,” Kanan chuckles good-naturedly as she gestures for Team A and B to gather in the middle.

Yoshiko gapes. She is so certain that she’s spotted You hovering near the ground just moments ago, but the Seeker is now circling high around the bleacher area with a winged golden ball in her hand.

“Ah~ ah~ not fair! Whoever gets You on their team would always win~” Chika twirls her bats as she nears her friend, the broom seemingly sentient for it moves without her touching the stick to direct it. The other Beater nods in agreement, casually knocking the Bludger away when it flies near them.

“Yeah, no way I can compete with our MVP,” an older wizard heartily pats You on the back. The back-up Seeker doesn’t look at all sour but rather proud of the younger girl.

“Oh come on, you were the one who taught me, senpai-” You is cut off by Chika, who wraps an arm around her neck and ruffles her hair.

“No need to be humble, You-chan! You’re our trump card, the… uhm… the Silver Lioness!”

The impromptu nickname is received with loud acclamation from the rest of the team. The Chasers juggle the Quaffle and pass it amongst them as they ascend towards the center, their balance and teamwork just as impressive. The Captain raises one fist into the air, prompting the others to pause and listen.

“Solid practice everyone. I’m pretty confident we’re going to have amazing matches this year,” Kanan’s voice isn’t particularly resonant, yet her leisurely tone seems to instill excitement in her team.

“You bet we will!”

“Yeah, we’re gonna carry the Cup home again this year!”

The collective cheer afterwards is deafening.

Yoshiko gulps. This is the famed Gryffindor Lions, the reigning champion? Her fantasies of joining the Quidditch team just evaporates into thin air. Sure, it looks fun to toss the Quaffle around and score, and badass to smack the Bludger at targets. Not to mention, being a Seeker seems like an important, almost-heroine-eqsue position that would be suitable for the great fallen angel Yohane.

Except she doesn’t want to compete with You or any of them, not after seeing how powerful they are.

“They’re really good zura…” Hanamaru whispers, and Ruby nods fervently beside her. Normally, Yoshiko would have refuted that she can do better, but not this time. Quidditch is out of her league.

After giving out a few more instructions, the Captain then calls for a break time. As the team disperses into smaller groups, the three familiar Gryffindors descends towards them.

“Ohayousorou, you three!” You’s grin is as charming as always, perhaps more so now that she’s clad in her team garb and after the impressive spectacle they just witnessed.

“I’m glad you all came~ So? What do you think, Yoshiko-chan?” Even Chika appears dazzling. With her hair pulled back and tied in a side tail and eyes bright like the sun, she seems like a different person than the playful witch who always gives out mikans.

“Urm, uh, you’re pretty cool.”

You and Chika blink, as if they haven’t expected such positive response from her.

Yoshiko’s ears redden in embarrassment. “What! Be grateful that Yohane-sama is impressed… just sliiiightly impressed, by all that flying. But I really don’t think-”

“That’s great! So what do you think? Chaser? Kurosaki-senpai is our top scorer,” Chika gestures at the older witch with wild tresses. “The other guys are awesome too! Or you wanna be a Beater like me? Heh heh, my deadly finisher, Kan Kan Strike, is not to be taken lightly!”

Chika then starts swinging her dual bats around, showing off all her moves. Yoshiko sweatdrops, but at least the Gryffindor is back to the silly version she is used to so she doesn’t feel as intimidated anymore.

“Why are you so keen on me joining the Quidditch team anyway? I’m a Slytherin, remember? We won’t be on the same team!”

“So? The more the merrier! It’ll be super fun if we can compete at a match,” Chika hugs Ruby affectionately. “How about you, Ruby-chan? Not to be rude but Hufflepuff hasn’t had a decent team for a long time… oh! But they used to kick ass when Professor Minami was on the team! At least, that’s what Coach said~”

Yoshiko raises an eyebrow. Really? Their fluffy, mellow Transfiguration Professor?

You also gives Ruby a friendly hug. “How about Seeker? Didn’t Dia-san used to be Slytherin’s Seeker? Senpai used to tell me how scary Dia-san was before I joined the team… I guess I lucked out that I didn’t have to compete against her!”

Since Chika and You are taller and are facing Yoshiko, they miss the surprised expression on Ruby’s face. Does she not know that her older sister used to play Quidditch?

“Or, last but not least, if you would rather oversee the entire Pit and hone your reflexes to block shots, then become a Keeper like Kanan-chan!”

Yoshiko looks over at the Captain and scowls at the sight of Hanamaru happily chatting with the older girl. Huh? Where did that water bottle come from? Why is Bakamaru giving the giant a towel? Is Kanan thanking her? Did she just pat Bakamaru’s head? Why is Bakamaru laughing? Is that a blush on her face? Why is this so aggravating??

“Oi~ Earth to Yoshiko-chan~”

“I’ll be right back,” Yoshiko ignores You and Chika’s bewildered stare and stomps towards Kanan and Hanamaru. Before she could even speak up, an unexpected visitor flies past her and hops off her broom near the two.

“Oh hey, Mari,” Kanan’s smile is characteristically easygoing, but it twitches when the Ravenclaw shoves a Quaffle against, ahem, her breasts.

“Ka~na~n! You haven’t forgotten, have you?” Mari is also dressed in her blue and bronze Quidditch uniform, her signature braid and hair loop replaced by a simple scrunchie that tied her hair in a low side-tail.

“Of course not. I’ve been looking forward to it since last summer.” For once, Kanan’s lax demeanor blazes in determination, a fire similar to what Chika and You exhibited earlier.

“Apparently Kanan-chan and Mari-san made a bet - something’s supposed to happen if Mari-san scores more than 100 points in their next match,” Hanamaru whispers to Yoshiko helpfully.

The Slytherin frowns. “You sure know a lot about that Gryffindor.”

“Huh?”

For good measure, she takes off Hanamaru’s glasses and cleans the lens before putting them back on the latter’s face.

“W-What? Yoshiko-chan??”

“Hnff. Do you see me now?”

“Um, yes, I do see you-?”

Yoshiko huffs and merely folds her arms. Bakamaru really is bakamaru. At least, Mari’s sudden presence here interrupts the irksome interaction between the brunette and the Gryffindor Captain. Now she just needs to drag Hanamaru away...

“Mari, you shouldn’t be here though, it’s Gryffindor’s turn to use the Pit.”

“Hmm? Who says I’m here to practice? The rest of my team isn’t here. I only came here because I sensed jealous fire~”

Yoshiko winces and glares at the smirking Ravenclaw, who then suddenly pulls her to the side.

“I overhead all of your little conversation with Chikacchi and You-chan. I think you’re suitable to be either Chaser or Seeker.”

“Why would I want to be?” Yoshiko suspiciously glances at the Quaffle in Mari’s hand. “If I become a Chaser, that means I’d have to compete against you, don’t I?”

“Not really. First Years, especially newbies like you, would not be able to join a Quidditch Team just yet. By the time you do join, Kanan, Dia and I would have graduated.”

She blinks at the revelation. “Oh, that’s right…”

“Daw, you sound sad, Yoshiko-chan~!”

“Am not!”

“Don’t be shy~ But that’s why we want to know now, whether you’d like to join the team or not.”

“Why do you care anyway?” Indeed, out of all the seniors, Yoshiko doesn’t feel particularly close to Mari because they haven’t talked much. Yet why does it feel like Mari knows a lot about her already?

“Well, for many reasons. But remember what you heard earlier, that Dia used to be Slytherin’s Seeker. Wouldn’t you like to succeed her?”

Mari’s cheshire smile is infectious, for Yoshiko finds herself returning the toothy grin as she envisions the possibility. If she becomes just as good as Dia, and somehow defeats You and the Gryffindors, she would get recognized right? Everyone would acknowledge her! And surely, Zuramaru would be so smitten that she’d bring her the water bottle, wipe her sweat away with the towel and maybe even…

“Yoshiko-chan?”

“Ack-!”

She snaps out of her fantasy and sheepishly looks away from Hanamaru’s inquiring gaze. In that brief moment of her daydreaming, Mari has long left her side and is chatting with Chika, You and Ruby, while Kanan has returned to the rest of her team and is giving pointers.

“Are you okay zura?”

Yoshiko stares at the Pit, at the players zipping around on their brooms, and lastly at the clouds high in the sky. While she isn’t quite sure why she wants Hanamaru’s attention on her and her only, she thinks that she’s found her calling in the magical world. She loves most subjects and excels in Defense Against Dark Arts, but her still-developing magical reservoir and small repertoire of spells don’t allow her to do much, not yet anyway.

However, if she can master Quidditch, she can stand out in spite of being just a First Year. The Slytherin Team would definitely want her to join by then. And, as a revered individual, surely she can get those ghosts to stop bothering Ruby altogether, and maybe she can find out what the situation is between the Kurosawa sisters. Furthermore, being an MVP should grant her special privilege and sway, so it would be easy to obtain special pass to the Forbidden Section at the Library for Hanamaru.

Be useful, that’s all she wants.  

“Yes, I’m more than okay, Zuramaru!” Yoshiko grins and points her finger into the sky. “Believe me!”

She feels very encouraged by the brunette’s subsequent smile.

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“Phew, I think I’ve gotten the hang of acceleration…”

Yoshiko breathes deeply, allowing the fresh clean air to fill her lungs as she opens her arms wide. Much to her joy, the broom continues to travel straight and her altitude does not waver at all. Good, she has synchronized with her borrowed broom enough that she does not need to give it directions for simple movements.

Now that she’s set her goal to join the Quidditch team, she needs to become skilled enough at least. It’s easier said than done, and already she’s run into obstacles in her self-training. She definitely needs an experienced flyer to give her advice on the more difficult maneuvers, particularly those that Seekers frequently use. Chika and You are more than happy to help her, but apparently Riko has the two tightly leashed due to their less-than-mediocre grades on certain subjects. Well, it is mostly Chika, but You has enough camaraderie to suffer with her partner.

Still, the Gryffindor Seeker has lent her one of her many spare brooms, a Nimbus 2016. Even though it was a gift from You’s fans, Yoshiko refuses to accept such a valuable item for free and vows to return it when she can afford her own broom.

True to her words, she carefully plans her schedule so that she would spend enough time with Ruby and Hanamaru, while still be able to attend tutor sessions with Riko and have her nightly talks with Dia.

Ah, how wonderful it is to have a fulfilling life!

Yoshiko glances at the direction of the Forbidden Forest and, after a moment’s hesitation, she decides to fly over there to see if she is lucky today. During one of her flights, -that- feeling had possessed her and since she was on a broom, the charmed scarf couldn’t stop her from going there.

It was a familiar creature who stopped her then, just like this time.

“Hehe, my faithful little demon! How are you?”

Lucifer responds by perching on her face, almost making her fall off the broom.

“Hey hey! How dare you treat your master with such disrespect!!”

The bat clicks in annoyance but pushes away from her head, allowing her to regain stability. Yoshiko is pretty certain that the creature likes her, at least enough to stop her from sailing straight into the Forbidden Forest every time.

“Hnff, to think, I brought you Lily’s sandwich too… well, insolent little demons shouldn’t get rewards, don’t you agree?”

Ears flattened, Lucifer gingerly hooks its claws on her cloak and doesn’t protest when she scratches its furry head. Yoshiko feels slightly bad to resort to bribery, but how else would she get the temperamental bat to stay?

The pair contentedly enjoys their afternoon picnic in the sky, and Lucifer even continues to fly along side her long after it’s finished the sandwich. There’s progress at least. Perhaps one day, the bat could become her pet that happens to live in the wild but would deliver and send mails for her, like how most magical folks are with their owls.

“So what do you think? Wanna become my pet? I won’t force you to do anything except help me send out mails. I don’t mind using the Aviary, and Ruby lends me her owl, but I’d still prefer to enlist the help of one of my own legion.”

Lucifer flicks its ear to show that it’s listening.

“I haven’t decided on a meeting spot with Lily this week yet, to see the Thestrals, so I’ll need to send her a mail. Maybe you can deliver that for me?”

The bat seems to be flapping its wings extra hard. That must be a yes.

Yup, one step at a time. Soon, Lucifer shall be hers. Yoshiko wonders if she should tell Riko about the bat’s crush on her.

“Ah, there’s Zuramaru again! How many times do I have to tell her not to do this? Well then, I’ll see you around, Lucifer!”

The bat glides away before she even finishes her sentences, as if to show that it doesn’t really care. Yoshiko shakes her head in exasperation before descending towards a huge tree near the shore of the Great Lake.

Carefully, she comes to a stop in front of the sleeping brunette and gets off her broom so quietly that her shoes barely make a rustle against the grass. Hanamaru continues to nap peacefully, which makes Yoshiko frown.

“Oi, you shouldn’t fall asleep like this! It’s dangerous out here by yourself. What if I’d been a bad guy? Geez, you’re so defenseless.”

“Hmmmnnn-? Yoshiko-chan?” The Hufflepuff rubs at her eyes and smiles up at her in greeting. Yoshiko refuses to acknowledge that gesture as cute and instead focuses her attention on the huge cloak draped around her friend. From the color of the hood, it was from a Gryffindor.

“...I thought you read by yourself, here by the Lake,” Yoshiko tries to keep her tone from sounding accusing.

“I do, most of the time, but Kanan-chan and I sometimes nap here together.”

“What! Her again!!”

Yoshiko seethes inwardly, mustering all her energy to keep her expression as aloof as possible. Hanamaru doesn’t seem to notice her dilemma as she digs around Kanan’s pocket for something. She pulls out a piece of parchment that has a messy scrawl, obviously written in a hurry.

“Oh, something’s come up, so Kanan-chan left in a hurry.”

“That’s awful for her to do that, to leave you alone like this. As I’ve said before, what if I’d been a bad guy and here you are, oblivious to the world around you-”

Her rant is interrupted by Hanamaru’s displeased poke. “Kanan-chan’s not awful! She’s protective of me zura! She’s always instructed her friend to watch over me as I nap.”

Yoshiko scowls. “What friend?”

The shorter girl points towards the Lake and, on cue, a massive shadow nears the surface and a tentacle bursts out of the water!!

“What the heck is that!?”

“The Giant Squid,” Hanamaru says evenly and waves at the two-story tall tentacle, which returns the gesture before submerging under the fathomless lake once more.

“... that Gryffindor made friends with that thing??”

“Well, Kanan-chan loves diving, and she said she likes the Lake because it reminds her of where she used to live in the Muggle world. She also enjoys jogging-”

Yoshiko soon zones out as Hanamaru goes on and on about the Quidditch Captain. She tries really hard to focus, she really does, but an unpleasant sensation in her chest makes it difficult to think, let alone absorb her friend’s words. Mari had said that she’s jealous, and she’s probably right. After all, who wants to listen to the person you like talking about someone else?

Wait, what?

“...Yoshiko-chan? You have a really weird expression on your face zura.”

“You’re imagining it.” She rubs her face hard, hoping that her cheeks aren’t red. Her heart is still pounding uncomfortably fast in her ribcage at the revelation. No way she likes Hanamaru. Or, yes, she does like her, but only as a friend!

She just doesn’t like it because Kanan is able to impress Hanamaru while the great Yohane can’t, that’s all. Yes, that must be the reason for her conflicted feelings. No, she isn’t jealous at all!

“Mou, Yoshiko-chan! That’s not what you agreed with Ruby-chan and I!”

“Zuramaru-?” Yoshiko gulps when the brunette grabs her face so they would look at each other in the eyes.

“You’ve promised to tell us if there’s something bothering you. And, there’s something bothering you, isn’t here zura?”

Yes, you’re too close, Bakamaru! Way too close! Yoshiko shouts in her mind while her lips remain tightly shut. Instead of replying, she tugs the glasses away from Hanamaru, who expectedly lets go and tries to reclaim it.

“Yoshiko-chan is mean! Give it back zura!”

“Nuh-uh. You’ve told me that your eyesight isn’t that bad and you really only need it for reading. Come on, look around you, see where you are. Enjoy the view! Won’t all the greenery help your eyesight or something?”

“I-I guess.” Pouting in resignation, Hanamaru leans back against the tree as she folds Kanan’s cloak into a neat pile. “My eyes do get very tired if I read for too long…”

“See? And that’s why you sleep a lot. This all makes sense now! You need to take more breaks often.”

Glad that the topic has completely changed, Yoshiko rambles on about how her night vision is amazing and she can see far, being the amazing fallen angel she is.

Hanamaru doesn’t stay peeved for long as she giggles at her antics. “Yoshiko-chan really hasn’t changed.”

The Slytherin purses her lips. “...that again? I-I’m sorry, Zuramaru, but I really don’t remember. I wish I do, but I don’t.”

“No, it’s okay zura. We were both so little, and to be fair my memories aren’t that clear either.”

“Huh? But then how come you remember what I used to be like?”

At this, Hanamaru’s cheeks darken which in turn causes Yoshiko to blush too. “I don’t remember exactly how we met, but I know that we used to play a lot, at this small park. My grandparents would take me there from time to time, and you were always there zura.”

Yoshiko scrunches her brows, trying really hard to dig through memories of her childhood. Alas, all she had are images of her being ostracized by other kids, and no Zuramaru.

“Tell me more?”

The brunette draws up her legs against her and rests her chin on her knees, her small smile full of nostalgia. “Well, you always talked about the sky, how you were originally an angel zura. I loved listening to your stories… ah, but you didn’t like it when I called them stories. You said they were real-life experiences and that you had special powers…” She trails off abruptly, her eyes widening as if realizing something.

“What?”

“The Dementor-!”

“What about it? Y-You remember how you met that creature?” Yoshiko recalls the horrendous wraith-like creature from that DADA workshop. Boggart or not, its effects had been real. The textbooks they had researched state that Dementors suck happiness and any good feeling, which was what they had experienced in the classroom that day.

“Y-Yes, I think I remember now,” Hanamaru’s voice is shaking. “Before, I only remember you saving me from something, and showing me something unbelievable. T-That’s why I’ve been interested in magic since, hoping t-that I would find you again some day.”

“Y-You’re saying, I somehow saved you from a Dementor?” Yoshiko is in disbelief. Dia and Kanan had used some sort of silvery spell against the Boggart-Dementor. The Patronus is a highly advanced spell that even the Third Years haven’t learned, so how would a small child like her know of it years ago?

Seeing how distressed the brunette is from reminiscing, Yoshiko tries to light up the atmosphere. “I’m super awesome then! Ku ku ku, I’m more badass than I thought, saving you from the Dementor with my fallen angel powers~!”

“Yes, you did zura,” Hanamaru wipes away the cold sweat from her brow, her eyes still glazed in deep thoughts and fright. “It was chasing us I think. I tripped...but you stood in front of me. You summoned a Patronus somehow, it was a silvery...fish? And-”

Yoshiko blinks, her hearing becoming muffled and her vision dimming. Flashes of images invade her mind, distorted and blurry as they are. Yes, there was a hooded creature that glided across the grass, its lifeless grey skin barely visibly under its wispy robes.

Pain pierces her chest then and she struggles to breathe as she doubles over. Hanamaru’s panicking calls are so obscured, fading along with her flickering consciousness.

“One day, I’ll return to the sky…” Yoshiko whispers hoarsely before her vision blacks out.

[athyrabunlord]

LLSHP 4 - Room of Requirement

Arc1: [Chapter 1] [Chapter 2] [Chapter 3] [Chapter 4] [Chapter 5] [Chapter 6] [Chapter 7]

Arc2: [Chapter 8] [Chapter 9] [Chapter 10 - Moonstruck (TBD)]

[Brief note about School Term] [other LLSHP AU stuff] [YohaMaRuby concept arts] [ChikaYouRiko concept arts] [KanaDiaMari concept arts] [Hogwarts Staff]

A/N: Finally finished this long chap x.x … does anyone still remember this story? Lololol! blame CYR for eating up the word count and delay. Hopefully the next chapter doesn’t take this long. If it feels like there are multiple ships, you’re overthinking I’m just fleshing out their relationships and characterizing them Words: 6,552

The sky is blue, the sun is bright, and the world feels just damn right! Yoshiko stretches and sighs contently against the wall as she waits outside the Aviary. It’s only been a few weeks since her arrival at Hogwarts and, already, it feels like a home.

She discovers new things every day with her two best friends and she is always eager to go to classes. Transfiguration, taught by the Headmistress’ daughter, is a very cool course because she gets to transform items and really show off her ideas. The professor is a sweet lady who encourages the students to do their best, and she rewards those with artistic designs even if they do not meet the lesson objective. Charms showcase spells like the useful ones Ruby utilized at the train station to lift heavy luggage. Yoshiko likes the class a lot because their small-statured professor seems to understand her dramatic poses and even compliments her creative ways of casting charms, as inaccurate as they may be. Her ‘Wingardium Leviosa’ is pronounced in a husky tone that the witch approves of, though her feather only hovers a bit before dropping to the side. Meh, she’ll make it fly one of these days once she has enough practice!

Potions, on the other hand, has been an utter disaster. The bespectacled professor, though strict,  is very helpful and patient, but even the graceful witch could not figure out why Yoshiko’s cauldron explodes every now and then. The ingredients are prepared and added correctly, yet it doesn’t matter how she brews the potion, something always happens that would force the class to be suspended. For now, her Potion lessons have been put on hold until the staff think of something. Perhaps this is a fallen angel’s curse?

At least, she is extremely proud of her progress at Defense Against Dark Arts. The beautiful professor also happens to be the Head of Slytherin so Yoshiko tries extra hard to impress the austere witch. Except, she finds out that she doesn’t have to - every spell, concept or terminology come easily to her. She only has to read new information once to absorb it. Then again, she’s the fallen angel and thus naturally good at subjects related to darkness.

Well, if only the ancient wizard teaching History of Magic could make his lessons more interesting, she wouldn’t have to ‘visit the darkness’ often. She doesn’t understand how Hanamaru could stay awake in that droll class. Yoshiko prefers listening to her friend happily talk about the subject anyway, so she always uses that time to nap or fantasize.

The one course she looks forward to the most is Flying, except she’s heard from older students that the Instructor hasn’t returned from some inter-school event at Durmstrang and so lessons will be delayed until the witch’s return. That’s fine with her though, for she would prefer to understand Hogwarts more before conquering it over the sky!

“I’m done. Thanks for waiting, Yoshiko-chan!” Ruby comes out of the Aviary with a few feathers stuck to her robes, though she’s wearing a huge smile that immediately prompts Yoshiko to return the same. The two girls then head for the library to meet up with Hanamaru as per usual on a Friday afternoon. It’s been getting harder to persuade the brunette to leave her Shangri-la, so much that Yoshiko has to physically drag her back to the Hufflepuff dorm for Ruby. Today would prove to be more difficult, for they want to have a nice picnic out by the Lake but how would they be able to persuade Hanamaru to leave the library when the sun is still high up?

Shaking her head, Yoshiko picks off some of the feathers stuck to Ruby and tosses them away since they weren’t good enough for her collection. “I do wonder why you keep sending those letters though. You’ve never gotten a response, right?”

“Hehe, even though Pana can’t speak, I’m sure it understands what I mean and has been delivering my letters to that person! I’m fine with not knowing who they are.”

True to Dia’s words that night, there has been no more Howlers concerning Ruby being in Hufflepuff. She even received a cute brown owl from an anonymous sender, and she named it ‘Pana’ because the bird seems quite fond of flowers. Since then, she has been sending letters of gratitude to whoever this mysterious person is.

“As long as you’re happy, I guess that’s alright.” Yoshiko glances at her friend, who emits the kind of aura you’d find on a puppy whose tail is wagging with contagious joy. Unlike before, Ruby now wears her hair in pigtails, a style that suits her personality and adds to the cuteness.

Ruby beams at that. “I-I am happy. My housemates and House Head are so kind, I love my friends, and every day has been so much fun, don’t you agree?”

“Yeah, that I definitely agree. I can’t wait for the Flying Lesson… whenever that is. I’ll show everyone a fallen angel can still soar above the skies, heh.”

“So, h-how are things at Slytherin?”

“Gah, not you too! Zuramaru’s already bugged me about it earlier. I’m fine, trust me,” Yoshiko grumbles, knowing her friends always frown at how her housemates sit a wide berth away from during meal times. While she’s able to sit with Hanamaru and Ruby during lessons with Hufflepuff, she’s usually by her lonesome during others.

“I-If you say so. We just want to make sure you know we’re always available.”

Yoshiko never tried sneaking out of her dorm since that night, but the three friends always hang out until they have to return to their respective Dorms before their curfew. She flusters under the reminder and mumbles. “Dia-san is actually pretty nice. She meant what she said and no one’s been rude to me or made comments about my Muggle background.”

Ruby perks up at that. “O-Of course, that just sounds like Onee-chan, hehe.”

For the umpteenth time, Yoshiko fights down the urge to ask what the deal is between the two sisters. Ruby obviously adores Dia while the latter is still as closed off as ever. After weeks of contemplation, Yoshiko acknowledges there are some private things about yourself that you just wouldn’t share with others. She would not pester her friend for answers until the latter is ready.

“How about you though? Have they been bothering you lately?” Yoshiko folds her arms and recalls Ruby’s problem with ghosts. Some of the meaner spirits enjoy frightening her and would pop out at most unsuspecting times. Hanamaru is protective of Ruby but the ghosts are undeterred by the petite girl’s attempt at intimidation.

“Yeah… they still come out of nowhere,” at this, Ruby walks a bit closer to Yoshiko, who nods in understanding. For some reason, the great fallen angel has yet to encounter these apparitions. The ghosts don’t dare to appear, not even to scare Ruby, whenever Yoshiko is around.

“Hnff. If I ever see them, I’d give them a piece of my mind! I was gonna ask them to join me, but they’re not fit to be part of Yohane’s legion if they treat my friend this way.”

Giggling, Ruby is about to say something when an excited shriek pierces through the air. Rubbing her abused ears, Yoshiko turns around and discovered a group of girls of various Houses chasing someone wearing the red and gold Gryffindor robe. Some are waving some kind of signs while some are shouting words of adoration, and they all wear the same fervent expression..

And they’re coming in this direction!

“Ohayousorou, Ruby-chan!”

“You-san?! Piki!”

Yoshiko blinks in bewilderment when her friend is practically kidnapped right before her eyes. Left with no choice, she could only run after the stranger, who’s carrying Ruby in her arms and still running at an impressive speed. It is only through sheer perseverance that Yoshiko is able to keep up.

“Hey, give her back!”

“Psshh, over here!”

Yoshiko suddenly finds herself in a broom closet, squished uncomfortably against the musty corner. Before she could protest, Ruby hastily covers her mouth while the Gryffindor presses her ear against the door. The frightening clamors of the horde gradually fades away, prompting the stranger to sigh.

“Phew, that was close! Sorry for dragging you into this again, Ruby-chan.”

“Ehehe… that’s okay, I’d rather not get caught under that, um, stampede.”

The Gryffindor laughs heartily and ruffles Ruby’s hair. Seeing how familiar the two are with each other, Yoshiko relaxes and clears her throat.

“Oh! Sorry. This is my friend Yoshiko Tsushima, and-”

“You Watanabe here!” Grinning, the fair-haired girl salutes before shaking the dumbfounded Slytherin’s hand. Combined with her soft and slightly wavy tresses and eyes as blue as the sky, You appears to be the very image of a sporty girl who shines the brightest under the sun. Already, Yoshiko foresees herself having trouble dealing with such an outgoing person. How did Ruby come to know someone like You?

Sensing her confusion, the redhead elaborates. “Um, I was running away from the ghosts one time and happened to hide at the same place as You-san. Her ...erm, fanclub was trying to corner her at that time.”

“You have a fanclub?! You mean, those people who were chasing us-?” Yoshiko gapes at You in awe. Even though those girls earlier resemble a pack of wolves more, it’s still amazing to garner such attention. A series of scenes play out before Yoshiko’s mind: professor marveling at her new innovative spells; Dia proudly handing over the Head Girl badge; students cheering for her as she walks around the campus; Zuramaru smiling at her in utter adulation…ku ku ku...

Yoshiko shakes her head in embarrassment. While it must feel fantastic to be loved by so many, she certainly doesn’t want to end up like You, who has to resort to seek asylum in smelly broom closets!

“Ahaha… yeah, I don’t know why. It’s not like I did anything special. Kanan-chan should have a fanclub, not me.” At least, You seems like a humble person. “I often get into trouble because my, um, fans cause disruptions in class and in the hallways.”

“How’d you end up with a fanclub anyway? Are you like a prefect or next Head Girl candidate or something?” Yoshiko gives the taller girl a look over. She is indeed attractive with that charming smile and friendly aura, and those rolled up sleeves reveal her toned arms. Something tells her that You has a fanclub just because.

“You-san must be really good at magic?” Ruby suggests, oblivious to Yoshiko’s darkening cheeks.

“Er, I do have good grades in Transfiguration but I’m not exceptional or anything, not like Dia-san.” Seeing Ruby’s proud smile, You ruffles her hair again. “I still can’t believe you’re Dia-san’s lil sister! You’re so cuddly and cute while… well…”

“Onee-chan is cute too,” the redhead pouts rather defensively. Yoshiko tries to imagine the austere Slytherin acting like Ruby and her brain just stops working. Also, she’s starting to feel rather left out with how close these two are with each other.

“Hey, just how long are we gonna stay here? It smells!”

“Oh we were just waiting for the coast to clear. Lemme see,” the Gryffindor peeks through the slight gap between the doors and raises her hand in a half-salute. “I’ll give the signal. Get ready… Yousorou~!!”

Yoshiko is completely unprepared for the older girl’s strength when she’s pulled out of the closet. Yelping, she loses her balance after a few steps and trips flat on her face.

“There she is! It’s You Watanabe!”

The fangirls’ must have spotted them somehow and already, heavy footsteps are coming their way! Groaning, Yoshiko tries to get up but suddenly feels strong arms under her knees and back.

“Hold on!”

Instinctively, she wraps her arms around You’s neck as the latter effortlessly carries her princess style and resumes running with Ruby following close behind. Yoshiko can only feel the wind whipping through her hair, and the Gryffindor’s pleasant body heat and strong arms.

Oh, and the fangirls’ screeching in the background too, but that’s muffled by the rapid pounding of her heartbeat in her ears.

It is only when the volume dies down that she realizes her whereabouts. Of course, the library has to be the best sanctuary since everyone is afraid of incurring the librarian’s wrath.

Yoshiko’s face is so red that she feels like it could explode. “Hey, put me down already!”

“Ah gomen.”

Her inexplicably weak legs tremble a bit, forcing her to lean against Ruby before she stumbles. How embarrassing would that be!

“Hehe, You-chan’s popularity is scary as always~”

A Gryffindor is sprawled across a table at a corner and she’s sleepily waving at them. Her hair color resembles that of a mikan, a fruit Yoshiko absolutely detests, and there’s a particular strand of hair poking out from the top of her head. Upon noticing Ruby though, this ahoge flicks like a responsive antenna and within moments, she’s already shot out of her seat.

“Ruby-chan!!”

“Piki!!”

Yoshiko gapes as her friend is once again enveloped in a bear hug while You also joins her buddy in fawning over the squeaking Hufflepuff. What’s with Gryffindors? Are they all this crazy!? Scowling, she dives for the human pile to rescue Ruby only to get a mikan shoved at her face.

“Hehe, nice to meet you, I’m Chika Takami! Are you Ruby-chan’s friend? Here, have a mikan!”

“No! Get away! Ack!!” She swerves away from the accursed orange sphere and hides under the table. Through her covered ears, she faintly hears Ruby explaining to the older girls that she dislikes mikan, which is only putting it mildly.

“Eeeeeeh but mikans are the best… oh well, I won’t force people! I’m sure you’ll see mikan’s awesomeness one of these days. Sorry about that, Yoshiko-chan, right?”

Calling me so familiarly already, what a fearsome enemy! Seeing how friendly Chika’s smile is, Yoshiko grudgingly accepts her offered hand and is pulled out from under the table. “It’s Yohane,” she grumbles only half-heartedly, knowing it’d be ignored.

And it is. If this keeps happening, she’ll really be stuck as plain Yoshiko and no one would know the amazing fallen angel that is Yohane!

She flops on the table, drained from everything that’s happened since their visit to the Aviary. From their animated conversation, she learns that Ruby got acquainted with this Chika through You and they’ve been quite close since. This worries her a lot, that the timid Hufflepuff is left alone in the company of these two rowdy Gryffindors.

But Ruby seems happy. So I guess that’s what matters. Yoshiko tries to fight down her protective instinct and interrupts the trio. “So, You-san, what’s with all the fangirls? I can still see them peeking in from over there.”

Indeed, some persistent students are lingering by the arched entrance, glancing between them and the scowling librarian. She glares right back at those strangers, sensing a lot of hostility directed at her because of her physical closeness with You earlier.

“They’re gonna pounce on me the moment I leave this place, aren’t they?”

“Ahaha, that’s taking it too far... But! If they really do anything to you, you need to tell me, okay?” You’s amiable expression turns solemn. “I won’t let you get hurt because of me.”

Yoshiko harrumphs and hastily turns away from those blue eyes, hoping no one notices her reddening ears. Now, she sort of understands why You is so popular. Having such oblivious charisma is dangerous!

“Oh right, Yoshiko-chan and Ruby-chan are new so you wouldn’t have known,” Chika chimes in, wrapping an arm around her buddy’s shoulder and pumping her fist into the air. “Wait til you see You-chan play! She’s our mighty secret weapon - us Lions will win again this year! I’m a pretty good Beater myself too.” She then starts swinging an invisible bat around. “I’ll knock away any Bludger and protect our Seeker~”

All those terms just fly over Yoshiko’s head, though she does vaguely recall reading about them from some book Hanamaru gave her. Ah, so these two Gryffindors are Quidditch players and apparently You is an ace or MVP, similar to how sports stars are revered in the Muggle world. The fangirls’ crazy behavior now makes sense, but that doesn’t make it any less scary.

Chika is still waving her invisible bat or, rather, she looks like she’s just flailing wildly. “Kan Kan-?”

“Mikan!” You replies energetically.

“Kan Kan-?”

“Mikan!!!” Ruby for some reason joins this strange, ritualistic call.

“KA~N KA~N?”

“MI~KA~N!” The three of them cheer loudly but wisely lower their volume when the librarian angrily coughs in their direction.

Seriously, what in the world are they doing? Yoshiko stares at Ruby like she’s never seen her friend before. Ruby’s getting corrupted! She wonders if a certain Head Girl knows about this and if she should intervene.

“That’s enough, you two.”

Yoshiko’s heart skips a beat upon hearing the firm but velvety voice. She tries to look casual as she peers at the newcomer through half-lidded eyes.

“Riko-chan~! Hey, Ruby-chan, Yoshiko-chan, this is Riko Sakurauchi, part of us Three Mermai- ouch!!” Chika sends the Ravenclaw a hurt puppy look after being hit on her head. “That hurt!”

“Then don’t say those two words again, hmm?”

“Yes ma’am.”

The dark gleam in those amber eyes dissipates as Riko greets the two younger girls, and explains that they’ve already met before to the Gryffindors. Yoshiko mumbles a response, unable to meet Riko’s gaze. She doesn’t know why, but the Ravenclaw’s presence alone makes her uncomfortable. All she could think about is that night outside the castle and the Thestral, as well as the unreadable looks Riko sends her during dinner or whenever they pass by each other in the hallways. All of that fills her with a restless urge to flee, though from what and to where, she does not know.

Unable to trust her own behavior, Yoshiko stays silent and simply observes Riko as discreetly as possible. From the way they act, the three older girls seem to be close friends. Chika is the leader who brings laughter and power to their trio, and Riko is the control that keeps the Gryffindors from fooling too much, while You sides with either depending on the situation. Right now, she’s playing the peacemaker because Chika is grumbling about studying, and Riko’s expression has darkened again.

Overall though, the way Riko looks at You and Chika reminds Yoshiko of herself, that she also looks at Hanamaru and Ruby rather longingly. Perhaps such is the fate of having two close friends in a different House?

She then notices that Riko has shifted her piercing gaze towards her. Flustered at being caught, she stands up abruptly and tries to shake off that uneasy feeling.

“Well, I’m gonna find Zuramaru,” Yoshiko imitates Ruby’s ‘Rubesty’ pose before briskly walking away from the scene, ignoring the latter’s confused call.

The library is quite the labyrinth, filled with rows and rows of bookshelves that reach the ceiling. Students retrieve the books either through magic or manual means like stairs, though most utilize the second option to minimize the possibility of damaging those ancient texts, at least under the librarian’s scrutiny anyway.

Yoshiko walks by a group of older wizards attempting to wrestle down huge book that’s making a lot of guttural snarls. What kind of book has fangs anyway? Though intrigued, she would rather stay far away from such crude, inelegant items. She’s heard of the Forbidden Section, which must contain all the knowledge about the Underworld, so she aim to obtain a permission slip from a professor as soon as possible. Surely, as an avid reader and seeker of knowledge, Zuramaru would help her in this quest.

After a while, Yoshiko is able to locate the brunette in question at a cobwebbed corner. She almost misses Hanamaru behind a stack of books that is taller than her. One particularly thick volume is already tittering precariously at the top, but before Yoshiko could handsomely save her friend, Hanamaru easily casts a levitation charm to stabilize the pile.

Disgruntled, Yoshiko deliberately makes heavy steps towards the oblivious girl to announce her presence. Hanamaru flinches and fumbles with a heavy book she just pulled out of the shelf, dropping it against the pile. In an attempt to balance the stack, Yoshiko instinctively lunges forward and wraps her arms around it.

Even then, the books still bury her like an avalanche.

“You should’ve used a spell, Yoshiko-chan,” Hanamaru giggles and digs out the scowling girl.

“I acted on instinct okay?! Why did you get so many books anyway, it’s not like you can even read them all.”

“Oh I can, just watch me zura,” the brunette beams and puffs her chest with pride.

“No thanks,” Yoshiko tries not to glance down at her endowed bosom and distracts herself by complaining to her about those grey and orange ruffians. At least, now that she’s here with Hanamaru, she feels so much better, that she can fully relax and not having to worry about being examined like some sort of exotic creature.

However, much to her bemusement, Hanamaru already knows of the two Quidditch players and their friendliness with Ruby. Then again, being Housemates do have their perks, and she’ll just have to accept that she’d be missing out a lot of stuff within their trio.

“You-san and Chika-san are very nice people. Ruby-chan likes them too. But that’s not why you’re here, is it?” Hanamaru smiles teasingly at the taller girl. “You came here because Riko-san’s there with them too, isn’t that right zura?”

“W-What!! You’re speaking nonsense!” Yoshiko tries to appear nonchalant as she helps her friend to load those books onto a cart via magic. Alas, her spell isn’t properly executed and causes the stack to tip over again.

Hanamaru giggles. Yoshiko blushes even more.

“What’s so funny! Grrr you’re just a Zuramaru…” Akin to a bristling black cat, Yoshiko swipes at the other girl’s wand, which disrupts the charm. Now, they have a pile of books strewn about haphazardly at their feet.

“Yoshiko-chan!” Hanamaru’s frown doesn’t stay up for long though and she resumes that infectious giggling again. Soon, the two girls are laughing while they manually pick up the heavy texts and load them onto the cart.

“Magic’s awesome and all but it feels good doing it the old-fashioned way too.”

“Mhmm~ But that’s because Yoshiko-chan can’t concentrate on a spell long enough zura~”

“Hnff, you’re not so good yourself either, Bakamaru.”

“Hey, that’s uncalled for!”

They exchange another look and burst into laughter once more. After catching her breath, Hanamaru rests her hand on the pile of neatly stacked books and asks quietly. “But really, you came here because of Riko-san right? You’re still thinking about what she said that night.”

Sighing, Yoshiko folds her arms in an involuntary defensive gesture. Of course the brunette easily sees through her, but she doesn’t mind being exposed to her friend. “Yeah. I don’t know why but it really bothers me.”

“I’m sure Riko-san didn’t mean anything more than just stating a fact zura. I’ve looked up Thestrals - they really are magical beasts that can only be seen by those who have seen Death.”

“Right, but…. Graaah, it’s hard to explain, okay?” Yoshiko fiddles with the feather stuck in her bun while Hanamaru patiently waits for elaboration. Sighing again, she adds. “I just don’t understand how she looks at me sometimes. We don’t know each other well but, it feels like she knows something about me that I don’t even know myself.”

“You really need to speak to her.”

“We haven’t had a chance to speak alone - this isn’t something I’d want to ask when there are people around. Besides, that’s kinda out of the blue, don’t you think? Like, ‘hey are you hiding a secret from me?’ because there’s a chance that I’m just being paranoid.”

Yoshiko stuffs her hands in her pockets, frustrated at this bewildering emotion brewing in her chest. She’s usually confident about her own feelings or instincts, but not about Riko Sakurauchi.

Hanamaru gently taps on her arm. “Then perhaps you should send her a letter?”

“What!! That’s worse?”

“Why zura?”

“S-She might wonder why I don’t just talk to her directly…”

“Oooh, you’re worried she might think it’s a love letter.”

“Exactly- wait, no, that’s why I don’t want to send the letter!” Yoshiko pulls Hanamaru’s hand off of her shoulder though for some reason she couldn’t let go. The shorter girl doesn’t notice her dilemma and just puffs her cheeks.

“Stop grumbling and just do it. Mou Yoshiko-chan, you’re so difficult!”

“Watch your tone towards your master, mere little demon-”

“Am not.”

Yoshiko irritably drops Hanamaru’s hand and jabs her finger at the latter. “You so are! You’re mine and that’s the end of this discussion!”

She storms away, feeling proud that she’s finally won an argument for once. It’s only after she is a few bookshelves away that she realizes what she said and her face promptly bursts into flames.

Why is this happening again?

Yoshiko pants laboriously as she sprints down the same corridor for the third time, still chased by a small mob of fangirls. Her premonition was correct - she’s forced to dodge these crazy people the moment she stepped out of the library. Those blazing eyes and sinister expressions promise a very, very thorough interrogation if she were to be captured by them.

And so, Yoshiko’s been running and running. She would have continued to hide in the library except Riko’s there, Ruby’s getting brainwashed by those trippy Gryffindors, and she doesn’t know how to face Hanamaru after that weird argument.

So much for having a picnic by the Lake…

Why don’t those fangirls bother the other three? Then again, they wouldn’t dare to bother the Head Girl’s little sister (and Yohane-sama won’t allow anyone to hurt her precious friend anyway), while Chika is You’s fellow Quidditch buddy so she’s safe that way.

As for Riko, well, she could be frightening, seeing how she dealt with Chika earlier.

So that makes me the scapegoat! Is this another trial for a sinful fallen angel? Yoshiko screams inwardly, willing her dying legs to keep moving. After the fiasco before, she refuses to hide in any broom closet again, so she just keeps running up the stairs. She’s probably at the seventh floor already but now she’s been stuck here without a way out.

Suddenly, she notices a door opposite of an ugly tapestry of some wizard and trolls. She practically dives for the knob, rolls right in, scrambles up to slam the door shut, and immediately locks it. To her relief, those fangirls must have missed her and soon frantic footsteps are gone from her hearing range.

“Woah… is this place even for real?”

Yoshiko doesn’t dare to get up from her slumped position against the door as she takes in the incredible decor that fills this chamber. There is a fireplace, surrounded by several cozy armchairs, as well as furred carpets that appear very inviting, lulling any onlookers to just sink in and rest. The combination of colors and antique decorations form a relaxing ambiance, a perfect remedy for any weary souls.

While there are no desserts on the coffee table, the plates and pots are set up as if beckoning her to start preparing afternoon tea.

Overall, this is the ideal hideout.

But surely, this belongs to someone? Everything looks too good to be true. She must have trespassed someone’s, perhaps a professor’s, private lounge. Between the horde of crazy fangirls and the wrath of the unknown owner of this room, she would rather take chances with the former. She’ll just have to try to get back to the Slytherin Dorm and maybe hide behind Dia or something.

Resolute, Yoshiko slowly gets up and is about to turn the doorknob when she notices a grand ornate mirror. It is much taller than her but hidden within the shades so she didn’t see it before. Bewitched by its ancient aura, she moves to stand in front of the mirror and examines it closely.

There, inscribed upon the golden frame, is a faded phrase ‘Erised stra ehru oyt ube cafru oyt on wohsi’.

She grins giddily. After weeks of being in Hogwarts, she’s finally found something amazing! Sure, everything she’s experienced so far is awesome and still difficult to believe sometimes, but this mirror looks like something that would appear in one of her fantasies.

“Compelled by destiny and the string of fate, the great fallen angel discovers a lost treasure in the most unlikely of places… ku ku ku, maybe I should be a writer and have Zuramaru edit it for me? It’ll be an instant bestseller for sure-”

Words fade in her throat as her eyes widen in shock.

Instead of her reflection, another girl is gazing back at her. No, this stranger looks identical to her, except she is wearing a beautiful, flowing white dress. Most importantly, a pair of snowy white, wings are folded behind her back.

She looks like an angel.

Bewildered, Yoshiko cautiously looks behind her, confirming that there is no one here in the room but herself. She reaches behind her back and finds nothing, even though her reflection copies her and is able to touch those feathery wings.

“What’s going on-? Who are you?”

The doppelganger merely smiles, a confident yet serene sort of smile that she could never hope to imitate. The wings slowly unfold and spread in their full glory, as if showcasing her just how ethereal they are.

“Are you Yohane?”

Expectedly, the reflection does not reply but that only strengthens her speculation. Her heart aches with yearning as she thoroughly takes in the doppelganger's appearance once more. Perhaps this is how she used to look like, before she fell from the heavens and became a fallen angel?

Her mind throbs in pain as she struggles to comprehend such possibility. All her life, she’s believed herself to be a fallen angel but now that she finds out it might be true, she no longer knows what to think.

Shaken, she staggers away and stumbles out of the room.

“Are you alright?”

Blinking, she peers up to find Dia standing beside her. She recoils like she was caught red-handed, and instinctively reaches for the knob behind her. Her hand finds nothing and she collapses rather comically against the wall. Embarrassed, she could only stare at her feet as the older girl quizzically pulls her up.

“T-Thanks. Um, yeah, I’m okay.”

“You were… in there, were you not? An interesting room.”

Yoshiko looks up anxiously, fearing reprimand, but Dia only looks thoughtful. “Yeah I was. How did you know? And- hey, where did it go?”

Indeed, the door is nowhere to be seen. She skeptically glances at the tapestry of trolls and then at the spot opposite of it. She is certain that the entrance is here!

“I see. You are quite the fortunate one, Yoshiko Tsushima.”

“What?! No way, I’ve always had bad luck!” Bemused by the Dia’s small smile, Yoshiko starts enumerating every odd event that’s happened just this week alone. “My pumpkin juice had a bit of mikan mixed in it, the cup we used in Transfiguration was actually cracked and I didn’t notice and I almost hurt myself when it shattered, and those fangirls- hey! Listen to me!”

The Head Girl, for some reason, begins pacing back and forth. After the third round, a door suddenly materializes in front of the startled Yoshiko.

“Only a few ever manages to locate the Room of Requirement, Yoshiko-san, so you are indeed lucky to have found it,” Dia places her hand on the handle before turning towards her with a placid expression. “Follow me.”

“So is this your private afternoon tea lounge, Dia-san? I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to- hey, what happened?” Flabbergasted, she finds herself rooted in place as she surveys the completely different chamber.

Unlike before, it’s a spacious area with a high and brightly lit ceiling. Armored knights surround the perimeter and each of them wields various medieval weaponry, from halberds, maces to rapiers. The darkness from the visors’ slits exhibits a sentient chill, like they would spring to life any moment and cut down any who dare to intrude upon their sacred arena. Standing at the center is the Kurosawa heiress, poised with her saber unsheathed.

It is both an awe-inspiring and terrifying sight. Yoshiko almost forgets to breathe.

“The Room of Requirement can change its content depending on its seeker’s needs,” Dia’s sonorous voice resonates in the chamber as she gestures at the armed metal knights. “For example, just now, I wished for a dueling arena. If I so desire, these full-body suits of armor will become animated and become my sparring partners.”

Yoshiko gulps. She has absolutely no trouble envisioning that.

“At other times, I have used it as a study room - it would be filled with cauldrons, textbooks and other relevant equipment if I need to study Potions or Alchemy,” she then sheathes her sword, the clang of metal echoing dangerously around them. “Now, you seemed spooked by what you saw in the room before, Yoshiko-san. May I ask what it is that you saw?”

Under the Head Girl’s austere yet kind gaze, the younger girl couldn’t help but stammer about her odd encounter. While she doesn’t reveal exactly what she saw in the mirror, she describes the artifact's appearance in great details.

“Ah. You have found the Mirror of Erised as well.” Dia’s brows furrow slightly, seemingly concerned. “I will not ask you to elaborate on what you saw in the mirror, Yoshiko-san, but bare in mind, the Mirror is not omnipotent by any means. It only shows the viewer their innermost desire, nothing more. One may see themselves as a Prefect, a Quidditch captain perhaps, or one may see their deceased family members, and so on. But that is all it does, show an illusion.”

Yoshiko nods mutely as she recalls the angelic version of herself. She almost wants to laugh at how ridiculous it is. Of course she isn’t an actual fallen angel! The mirror just showed her what she wants to see, that’s all.

She’s not special. She’s not Yohane, just Yoshiko Tsushima.

Oh lord, now she has an urge to cry too.

To her surprise, Dia rests her hand on her shoulder. This comforting gesture warms her heart so much that it becomes even harder to stop the tears from trickling out of her clenched eyelids.

“Perhaps it is best that you do not find the Mirror of Erised again,” the older Slytherin says gently, “I have also seen it before and, after a lot of thinking, I have concluded that it is fruitless to ponder about its content. It is not the reality. It only confuses you and stops you from seeing the truth, from doing what you need to do.”

Fleetingly, Yoshiko wonders what Dia saw in the mirror.

“I am not deterring you from exploring, for it is good to be inquisitive about the Magical world. However, heed your instincts and do not take everything at face value. You still have many years ahead of you in Hogwarts. You will grow with your knowledge.”

At this moment, Yoshiko understands why Ruby look up to her sister so much. Dia just has this reliable aura, that she’s someone you can depend on when you’re in trouble or when you feel lost.

For the first time since the Sorting, she is happy to be a Slytherin, proud to be in the same House as someone like Dia.

Hastily wiping away her tears, she grins up at the older girl. “Dia-san sure has the potential to be a devastating beauty like Yohane! You just need to smile more, like this.” She smoothly wiggles out of the latter’s reach and strikes a pose to gather her composure.

Dia shakes her head, though she’s indeed wearing a small smile.

A rather loud growl from Yoshiko’s stomach ruins this touching moment. Scowling in mortification, she stiffly folds her arms. “Is it dinner time yet?”

“I believe so.”

“Erm, so, I’m going to go back to the library to get Zuramaru and Ruby. Wanna come with me?”

Yoshiko isn’t really surprised when Dia declines her offer. “I have something I need to do, but I will see you at the Great Hall later.”

Nodding, Yoshiko shifts nervously and tries to keep her voice even. “I learned a lot today, Dia-san. I was… in a chaotic state of mind I guess, but you’ve helped me clear all that away! I guess I just wanted to say, thank you!”

“You are welcome.”

“Even though I do not wish to move school property, perhaps it is best that I relocate the Mirror elsewhere.”

Riko winces at Dia’s words, though she is unable to tear her gaze away from the reflection in the Mirror of Erised. The human mind is only so strong, and this tantalizing illusion is able to soothe the pang in her chest when nothing else could.

Even though the ache worsens every time she leaves the room.

“Riko-san.” A pair of warm hands gently covers her eyes, blocking her vision and effectively snapping her out of the haze. “I understand, but what your heart desires is impossible. You need to accept that.”

Her lips trembles as her mind acknowledges the truth in the older girl’s words but that does not make it hurt any less. Her eyes sting, her throat hurts and the need to sob are too much. Dia shifts behind her and gingerly turns her around before embracing her.

“Kanan-san is much better at this hugging thing,” the Slytherin murmurs with slight humor, “But I am your friend too, Riko-san. I am more than willing to offer comforting arms.”

She nods wordlessly against the crook of Dia’s neck, soothed by the way the latter caresses her hair. After a while, she points her wand at a tarp at a corner and flicks it over the Mirror, fully covering the glass for good.

“What do you see in it, Dia-san?”

Dia’s arms tighten imperceptibly. “... I think you know.”

“I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have asked.” Riko reluctantly pulls away from the hug and approaches the table, where two identical black feathers are charmed and carefully isolated with a translucent, silvery veil. One is from when Mari, in her cat form, swiped it from Yoshiko at the train station. The other one is found by Kanan in the forest, where cloaked strangers attacked Dia. She glances around rows and rows of bookshelves, filled with collections on par with the library.

“We still cannot find any similarity between the two, other than the fact they both reject your spell, Riko-san,” the Slytherin gestures at the parchments stacked on another desk. “Naturally, I have recorded all of our experiments.”

“We need more samples. The Room of Requirement surely holds the information we require,” the Ravenclaw states firmly and begins to browse through the nearest books. Dia sighs quietly but joins the younger girl. They have invested too much in this mystery already.

“Very well.”