Chapter Text
They had been brought to an infirmary, one even Aizawa had to admit he was impressed with. Getting out past the maddness after he full on decked their precious headmaster, had proven easier than any of them expected, the noise of that satisfying crunch still making him smile. He watched in fascination as some woman in a rather old-fashioned dress, waved about what he could only assume was a wand, mutter some words and with an audible snap and a delightful cry of pain from the wizened old fool, his broken nose was instantly repaired. To Aizawa’s amusement, the bruising and mess of blood remained. Clearly, magic could only mend so much instantly.
“You may get a bruise salve from Severus,” the healer informed him curtly.
The Wizard named Albus flinched. Aizawa had a feeling, whoever Severus was, the pair were not on good terms, and he was clearly looking at the bruises healing the old-fashioned way.
Finally loosing patience, Aizawa stepped in front of Albus, gaze hard. “I want a full explanation. Now. Your nose is healed and you owe me that much. Why the hell did you take my son and one of my students? A student I can see now has a permanent injury; he did not have when he disappeared!” Haruki had already given him the basic gist, but now, he wanted to hear the old bastard confirm it.
Hizashi sat with the boys, keeping a watch, but appeared content enough to let Aizawa handle the situation for now.
Scowling, Albus fixed his blood stained robes. No one had exactly rushed to his side. Busy dealing with the startled students and Madam Pomphrey had already kicked out Hagrid for his over enthusiastic blubbering. “Very well.” He finally conceded, realising he didn’t exactly have a choice. “Our worlds co-exist side by side. Haruki was born here to his birth parents James and Lily Potter. They named him Harry James Potter. At that time a prophecy had already come about, stating that Haruki would be the end of a dark lord that has tormented British Wixen for a long time. Precautions were taken to protect them of course, but a traitor led the dark Wizard Voldemort straight to them and in desperation Lily cast old rune magic to send her only son to a separate universe…yours. It has taken us fifteen years to decipher her notes and reverse the magic.”
“Why reverse it?” Aizawa demanded. “Seems to me, she went to a lot of effort to prevent you from doing that.”
“Because Haruki is our only hope to stop a madman,” Albus pointed out coolly. “It’s his duty.”
“Duty?” Hizashi barked, lunging to his feet, gaze livid. “He’s a teenage boy! You’ve no business putting any duty on him!”
“Forgive me, but that’s not your call.”
“The hell it isn’t!” Hizashi spat out furiously. “I’m one of Haruki’s fathers…He is my kid!”
“We are very grateful for you looking after him, of course,” Albus began placatingly, as if he were talking to a small child. “But you are not his real family.”
“So, who is?” Haruki demanded, no longer able to remain silent. “My birth family are dead and my Dad and my Papa raised me since I was an infant. If they’re not my family, then who is? Or better yet, why don’t you just tell me who you’d rather, because that’s what this all comes down to…who you’d want controlling me.”
Caught, Albus had no real way to respond. He knew who he would have placed the boy with. The very people who would have kept him meek, subservient. Unfortunately, the Dursleys had died a rather brutal death in what would have been Haruki’s third year, after Dementor’s had abandoned their posts at Azkaban and descended on Privet Drive. After that, the option would have been the Weasleys, but only under Molly and that was certainly no longer an option.
Haruki sneered. “That’s what I thought.” When the doors were thrown open, they watched two men stride in and Haruki was quick to make introductions. “Severus Snape and his husband—my Godfather as it turns out—Sirius Black. They’re my legal guardians here. Dad, Papa, Sirius is…well…he’s Paddy.”
Wait, what?! As if reading their thoughts, Sirius winked and his shape suddenly changed, until a familiar black dog bounded about their feet,
“Oh my, Kami!” Hizashi blurted. “So, Paddy, he’s always been a person?”
Noting Katsuki’s and Izuku’s confused faces, Haruki shrugged and chuckled. “When my parents found me, I was constantly looking for ‘Paddy’. Short for Padfoot apparently. I identified him as a dog as a baby but never knew until now Paddy was a person and my Godfather as it turned out. You were out cold, Izuku, when I realised two months ago.”
Shifting back to his human form, Sirius grinned. “I’m just so honoured I was the chosen comfort blanket. Jamie would be disgusted knowing his sprog liked me more.”
“Behave, Sirius,” Severus admonished, before inclining his head towards Aizawa and Hizashi. “A pleasure to meet you. Sorry we couldn’t follow you here straight away, but the students had to be corralled.”
Aizawa grinned at that. “Teach my own bunch of hellions. I can imagine.”
“Aww, they’re bonding,” Hitoshi, gushed, laughing when the adults threw him a glare for being a smartass.
“And the nerd’s neck?” Katsuki suddenly barked, done waiting on an explanation. “What the hell did you do to him?”
Looking affronted, Albus stood up, waving away Pomphrey’s fussing. “I assure you, I did nothing. Izuku met with an unfortunate accident.”
“Tell the truth, old man,” Haruki snapped. “He was assaulted by another student, and it caused permanent damage.”
“WHAT?!”
“He apologised!” Izuku blurted out, well aware Katsuki could go on the hunt for this. “I know that doesn’t automatically fix the fact I now have permanent scars, but hey, Kacchan scarred Haruki and he was forgiven!”
“Hey!” Katsuki spluttered, but even he couldn’t argue the logic. He was caught by the rules of the same screw-up. Pouting, he crossed his arms, grumbling. “I still want to kick his ass.”
“Trust me, Kacchan, he was punished enough. He found out barely hours later his mother was brutally murdered.”
Katsuki’s jaw dropped, the teen cursing. “Okay, no one deserves that and he apologised…so, I’ll withhold judgement for now.”
“That’s all ask, Kacchan,” Izuku laughed, knowing he’d won the argument.
“Well, this has been a delight,” Aizawa drawled, “But I really want to get my kid and stolen student back to where you crazy idiots yanked them from.”
“Dad!” Haruki cried out, eyes narrowed. “I told you… I have already agreed to help!”
“Yeah, well, being my son and a minor, I’m overriding that choice,” Aizawa griped in response. “Your birth mother wanted you safe. As far as I’m concerned, this isn’t what she meant.”
“No, but if there is something I can do to help everyone, I should at least try.” Haruki argued back, irritated now. From the corner of his eye, he could see Albus was fuming and as much as he’d love to just leave the bastard high and dry, he couldn’t do that to everyone else. “I’m training to be a hero, Dad and the essence of being a hero is to help, when you don’t have to. Please, don’t make me fight you on this.”
“Haruki is right, I—”
“Don’t,” Aizawa spat, cutting off whatever bullshit Albus had intended to spew out. “It is imperative you say nothing at this moment.” Staring down his youngest, Aizawa cursed a blue streak and knew there was no point in fighting the stubborn teenager on it. He’d stick to his guns and yes, that was the essence of a true hero.
The instant he let out a sigh, Haruki knew he’d won the argument and grinning, threw his arms about his father in a fierce hug. Thoroughly done with Albus’ company, at Sirius’ suggestion, they all headed back to his and Severus’ quarters. Everything else could wait until morning.
~W-A-R-L-O-C-K~
Haruki woke at five am the next morning and was instantly amused to find he had fallen asleep in a pile with Izuku, Hitoshi and Katsuki. His body clock tended to boot up his brain quite early and the fact they hadn’t gone to sleep till well into the night, obviously hadn’t registered with his muggy brain. Still, he didn’t want to miss his classes, or his usual morning routine.
With a thought, he apparated from beneath his human blanket and smiled when Izuku instantly snuggled into the warm spot he had left.
Familiar with his foster family’s quarters, it was second nature to wonder through the dimly lit halls and find himself in the kitchen. Snow was already up and making bread and scones if Haruki’s nose was right. As the two had gotten used to, she had left him a water bottle for his morning run, as well as a snack wrapped in cloth. Thanking her, he took the items and headed out.
The air was chilly, as expected from October in Scotland, but some warming with his Quirk and Haruki didn’t feel it. As always he was the only one out, the occasional thrill from a bird his only company as he began his familiar rounds of the castle, legs pumping, muscles happy to move. But unlike his usual walks, something changed.
On the third pass of the forest edge, he almost collided with Hagrid as the half-giant meandered out of the thick foliage, a crossbow slung over one shoulder and a hound at his feet. The dog immediately began howling at the sight of him, reminding Haruki he was definitely a cat person.
“Stop tha’ Fang!” Hagrid snapped. “Silly menace. Sorry ‘bout him, Harry, he’s just protective. What are you doing out here so early?”
“I could ask you the same thing,” Haruki responded coolly. “And my name is Haruki. I find it ridiculous, some of you are still reluctant to call me by the correct name.”
Hagrid looked like he wanted to argue. Probably the usual nonsense of it was the name your parents gave you, but the half-giant clearly thought better of it. “Fine, Haruki then. The headmaster is worried ‘bout ya, you know. He’s worried these people will take ya away…but this is yer home.”
Rolling his eyes, Haruki took a drink of his water. “Hagrid, if this was supposed to be my home, then why did my birth mother purposefully send me away to another world? I’ll tell you why. She wanted me protected, so much so she did everything to cover her tracks. You were never supposed to bring me back. Even Severus and Sirius have come to understand that. Why can’t the rest of you?!”
Sighing, Hagrid dragged a shovel sized hand through his scraggly beard. “Right, I get tha’ and… Haruki are ya happy in tha’ world?”
Surprised by the question, expecting the Wizard to fight him further, Haruki nodded. “Yes. I have my parents, an older brother…my friends…boyfriend… it’s my home, Hagrid, and that won’t change.”
Nodding, Hagrid smiled. “Well, tha’s good enough fer me. Good man, Dumbledore. Means the best, but if yer set ter go back, I can respect tha’.”
Well, crap. Haruki really hadn’t expected that. Of course, he had to wonder just how much of everyone’s beliefs had been warped and manipulated by the meddling old coot. The more he got on his side though, would come in handy later. Looking about, he decided to change the subject to something less awkward. “What has you out so early anyway, Hagrid?”
Beaming, Hagrid started back toward his cottage, Haruki falling into step next to him. “I came upon a pregnant Unicorn a while ago and went to check on her. She gave birth to two colts. Late in the season for Unicorns, but it can happen. I plan ter show my sixth years in class today.”
“I’ve seen pictures,” Haruki commented. “Their coat starts off gold, doesn’t it?”
“It does indeed. Changing ter silver when they’re about two and then finally to white when fully grown.” Hagrid informed him cheerfully. “Pity ya didn’t take Care of Magical Creatures.”
“I saw more use in other subjects,” Haruki admitted. “Care of Magical Creatures won’t help me take down a lunatic Wizard.”
“Fair,” Hagrid grunted. “Yer still gonna help us?”
Stopping, Haruki looked up at the giant man and noticed the hope in his black beady eyes. Smiling warmly, he nodded. “Yes, Hagrid. I don’t plan on going anywhere until the psychotic brute is dealt with.”
“Yer a good lad, Haruki. Now, off with ye. Sure, ya want ter get a shower in before breakfast.”
Nodding, Haruki bid him farewell and hurried back toward the castle. He was glad to build bridges. The more who sided with him and not Dumbledore, worked in his favour.
Once inside the castle, he noted several had started to move about. Mostly the fifth and sixth years. Since all his belongings were in his dorm, Haruki headed back to the Slytherin house, to wash and change. Or, that had been the plan, until he walked into his dorm and found everyone huddled about Draco, all eyes locked on copy of the Daily Prophet clutched in the blond’s hands. He knew Draco paid extra to have an edition delivered straight to him at the dorms. When shocked gazes snapped towards Haruki, he raised a dark brow in confusion.
“Oooookay, what’s up with you? You all look as if you had a run-in with the bloody baron.”
“He hasn’t seen it,” Theo bemoaned, flopping down on his bed in a dramatic fashion.
“No! But now he’ll want to, idiot!” Draco snapped, less haggard than he had been in a while. “Thought the plan was to say nothing?”
“Haven’t seen what?” Haruki demanded, yanking out a fresh uniform, green eyes narrowed. “What’s that old bastard done now?” Because, it just had to be Dumbledore!
Reluctantly, Draco held out the prophet, the paper opened up on an article that ran over two pages. Taking it, Haruki’s eyes immediately latched on the heading.
HARRY POTTER’S FAKE FAMILY: FRIEND OR FOE?
Confirmed by a reliable source, Harry’s ‘family’ from the
world his mother desperately sent him to, turned up in Hog-
warts last night and have no intention of leaving without Harry!
Begging tearfully to stay in his true home, it took poor young
Harry quite sometime to convince his so-called parents
to let him remain. In temper, one of the men, identified as
Shota Aizawa, lashed out at Albus Dumbledore,
leaving the beloved Hogwarts Headmaster badly
injured!
“I don’t fault his anger,” Albus told me last night, his
face mottled with nasty bruises. “He sees Harry as
his child, but he needs to understand that—”
Without finishing the slop of an article, Haruki’s eyes blazed bright and the offending item shredded apart, ‘Rita Skeeter’ flashing before his eyes on a sliver of paper. The so-called reporter who had written the bullshit in the first place. Screw playing nice. The old bastard would learn once and for all!
Ignoring the call from his dormmates, Haruki stormed out, vanishing in a burst of smoke before anyone could stop him. Not that they could. After all, he shouldn’t be able to apparate inside Hogwarts. But clearly his Quirk…magic…whatever…thought otherwise.
Taking a guess on where Dumbledore would be, Haruki scattered his molecules, appearing in the centre of the great hall, startling several around him, not that he cared, his eyes had latched onto Albus Dumbledore, sat on his damn throne and what do you know, there was Rita Skeeter sat right next to him.
“Mr Aizawa,” Dumbledore called out, getting to his feet and watching the boy’s every move. “Would you kindly refrain from such feats of magic within our walls. Apparition is not permitted inside the Hogwarts Wards.”
“And I’m supposed to adhere to your rules even as you deny and disrespect my desires?” Haruki hissed. All around, everyone had gone silent, watching. Even the teachers. Haruki’s eyes zeroed in on a sneering Rita Skeeter. “Fake Family.”
Rita spread her well-manicured hands, smile a dangerous one. “Well, they are, aren’t they? Your real family are the Potters. So disrespectful of you to forget them and all they did for you.”
“Up to two months ago, I was some kid abandoned as an infant,” Haruki snapped back. “I knew nothing of my birth parents. If they were good to me, or if they were abusers. I was raised by others. Given a family and I’m so sick of all of you and your pissing contests over people who have not only been dead for fifteen years…but I can’t even remember! It stops now!”
Rita laughed, the sound vicious, grating on the nerves. “And what will you do if we don’t stop? Tell on us? To whom exactly?”
Haruki barked a laugh. “Oh, cute… you think I’ll bother running to others? Nope! I can handle my shit all by my lonesome.”
Green eyes suddenly blazing neon bright, Haruki snapped his fingers and between one blink and the next, Rita Skeeter had turned into a vividly yellow quill! Falling uselessly onto the top table. All around mouths dropped in astonishment. As Haruki had said to Katsuki once, he often held back. None of these idiots knew just what he was capable of. With enough energy to fuel him, he could level cities. But that was the difference between him and a megalomaniac like Voldemort, knowing where to limit himself. Because power was not absolute and those who used it unwisely only made monsters of themselves.
Turning his furious gaze on Dumbledore, thrilled to see a slight tremble in the man’s hands, Haruki sneered darkly. “Last warning, Dumble-dork. Screw with me or mine again and I will personally deliver you to Voldemort trussed up, with a fucking apple in your mouth. Be damn sure, I can throw a hell of a luau.”
Watching the teenager stalk out on heavy footfalls, the hushed whispers of his students almost deafening, Albus shook, heart racing in his chest. For just the briefest of moments, whether the boy allowed it on purpose or not, he had gotten a glimpse of his magical core. It was an atom bomb compared to Voldemort, the near limitless prospects terrifying.
He was beginning to realise; he truly had no idea who he was messing with.