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Fateful Ashikabi, Chapter 7, Past Shadows 2/2.
🕑 Added 2024-05-10 19:35:36 +0000 UTCYear 2013. March 31th Japan, Tokyo.
"I hate the press!" Harry growled out as soon as he plopped down in the limousine and the vehicle drove off. Pulling his hand down on his face in a tired and worn out expression of frustration for good measure. Some things simply did not change no matter what. The sky was blue, fire was hot and Harry Potter hated the press. All these cameras and reporters gave Harry flashbacks to Rita Seeker and the Daily Prophet.
Matsu tried to be positive as she hedged. "Well, you're someone new and unknown. Maybe they just need time?"
Nora in turn was more blunt and realistic. "They're unlikely to accept a foreigner and therefore most Japanese will not see you as one of them. No matter how good your Japanese is, how well you know the culture or how much time you spend in Japan. Most likely they expect you to run the company into the ground as you use NswF money to coast through life." she had experienced the same a few times solely because she looked Caucasian. Not due to her skin colour, but the likelihood of her being a foreigner. The newer generation couldn't care less about that.
Akitsu, despite not saying anything, was the most helpful in Harry's opinion. Simply handing him a glass of Whiskey on the rocks taken from the bar in the limousine. The ice cubes made by her power over all things cold, of course.
"Thanks, Akitsu," he said honestly and accepted the drink with a tired grin. Promptly taking a small sip from the drink and letting out a sigh. He never drank much alcohol, be it Muggle-made or Magical, but had nothing against an occasional drink. "I'm not bothered by their opinions of me." he claimed. Years of being smeared in the papers and defamed as a deranged psychopath pretty much caused him to not care about any kind of press. "Doesn't mean I wouldn't rather be somewhere else, anywhere else, really."
The Ice Sekirei blushed adorably from the compliment and leaned against him, beginning to kiss his neck. "Ah... reward?" she asked hopefully and expectantly. Since the first time her Ashikabi had pleasured her Akitsu couldn't get enough of it. Especially the thing he referred to as Parseltongue, which apparently made him an incredible kisser. Always curling her toes no matter if he kissed her upper or lower lips, especially her lower pair.
Harry just barely prevented himself from snorting and spewing the drink out of his nose as a result. Akitsu was quite needy and had grown to be quite bold and forward in asking for what she wanted. "I think I'm beginning to spoil you too much," he chuckled at her blush but kissed her nonetheless.
Matsu looked on, happy that he seemed ready to accept the physical side of their relationship. As well as beginning to do the same emotionally. The thought cast her back to when Harry showed them the most important parts of his past. The Sekirei curled her hands into fists as she remembered. 'They'll pay soon enough,' she swore once more. What she had seen was nothing short of criminal to downright disgusting. In her opinion it was a miracle ten times over that he didn't grow suicidal or snap and simply become like Voldemort. Yet he persevered through it all and rose from the ashes like a Phoenix.
Though, Harry's words concerning his 'death' hit her the hardest. The echo still going through her head. "I sacrificed myself for them not because it was necessary or because it was the right thing to do. Even though I told myself that at the time. No, I did so due to the fact that I saw my life as worth less than everyone else's. Something that, in the end, made my sacrifice worthless. I had nothing left to lose, nothing to give up. Not even hopes or dreams for the future. So, by definition it was no real sacrifice."
Those words and the self-depreciating chuckle that followed them haunted her days after she heard them. And from the bond she knew Akitsu was in the same boat. She and Akitsu did not want Harry to die for them. Instead they wanted their Ashikabi to live for them.
In the last few days when not trying to find Reina or spending time with Harry, Matsu used her abilities to begin her own pet-project and track down his relatives. Knowing that the magicals were out of her reach due to possessing no notable technology. For now, at least.
Regardless of whether her Ashikabi wanted to simply never hear from them again or not, she couldn't bring herself to allow what they've done to him to pass without extracting some modicum of vengeance. Matsu's mind, despite what her behaviour would suggest, wasn't in the gutter all the time. She could be extremely ruthless and efficient when she wanted to be. A fact she had proven during the Invasion of Kamikura Island.
So, when she saw what exactly her Ashikabi lived and suffered through, what he'd survived at the hands of these people and more, she'd seen red. Somewhere in that haze Matsu had decided that she was going to utterly destroy those people.
It wasn't really as if it was difficult. She knew their nationality, names and the absolute wastes of space didn't even bother to stay away from their previous address of No.4 Privet Drive. Having returned to live in the same house where they kept her Ashikabi locked up under the stairs for days at a time!
However, she left Dudley out of her revenge. He had been as innocent as Harry in this. But his abuse simply went in the opposite extreme. He also had apologized and seemed to regret his actions. Still, it had been a near thing with her finger having hovered over the keyboard for a few minutes in consideration.
So, it was pure coincidence when Mr. Dursley somehow came into a lucky break in taxes and bought a new shiny car and was suddenly, but perfectly understandably, accused for tax-evasion and had that shiny new car of his impounded. The electricity and water companies kept misplacing the proof that he'd been paying his bills on time. An investigation began about his connections to fraud, when the union he belonged to completely erased his membership history by accident; nasty thing after nasty thing happened until he landed in prison.
Mrs Dursley, on the other hand, started racking up strange debts to her name that she couldn't actually find a way to dispute. There also appeared some records in the police station of her son showing signs of sexual abuse and every sign pointed to it being her who'd done it. Followed by reports leaking into the police stations about children in the neighbourhood encountering a strange woman – fitting rather well with Mrs. Dursley's description – who they insisted had been talking about giving them candy. The cupboard under the stairs only added more damning evidence once it was found by the police, the idiots not even disposing of the evidence in there.
Matsu also included a certain kennel-owner into her list of targets. Marge Dursley was about to be arrested today, on behalf of a mixture of animal abuse, child endangerment, fraud, and her lack of a proper license in regards to running a kennel. And though the disgusting woman had desperately tried to repeal at least the last of those accusations, the fact was that such a license simply couldn't be found in any of the council's databases.
In just a week she had destroyed these three people and made sure they would spend the rest of their miserable lives behind bars. Matsu had ruined their savings, their reputations, their futures, their family relations, their friendships and was seriously tempted to do more. In the end she refrained, knowing there were more important matters at hand. Lest she actually released them from their torment with death's sweet embrace. No, the normal lives they had cherished to such a perverse degree were now shattered. Something that hurt them more than death ever could.
The Sekirei of Wisdom was taken out of her reverie by her Ashikabi. "Everything alright, Matsu?" he inquired, his voice holding concern.
She smiled to put him at ease and stole a kiss from him. Pure elation filling her when he kissed back after only a slight hesitation, so unlike his reaction to their first one. "Yes, it is now," she murmured. Followed by leaning into him, mirroring Akitsu. Her Ashikabi was here with her and their relationship slowly blossomed. What more could she want?
Letting the matter rest Harry simply enjoyed the ride back to headquarters. Which caused him to think of getting another place to call home. He may have nothing against his current place of residence, but Harry definitely enjoyed more secluded areas. Ones with less concrete and more nature.
"By the way, how does the search for Reina go?" Harry inquired as he played with Matsu's hair a little, enjoying the silky feel of it as he drove his fingers through it.
Happiness practically radiating from the Sekirei, Matsu took a while to answer. "Slower than I'd like." she admitted with a small frown. Waiting for the satellite to be in position and configuring it to search for another source of energy without arousing suspicion took time. Using the CCTV systems all over the city yielded no results either. "How about you? Did you find any lead as to where Furumizu hid the two other Jinki? I tried looking for them in the data-banks, but found nothing."
"Then we're in the same boat. Rie also did not know anything about their location." Harry sighed out. It seemed Furumizu had been a paranoid bastard and did not tell anyone where he stored the Jinki. Rightfully so with MBI on his ass. That also was the reason why they had not taken the Jinki from Izumo Inn. Everyone agreed to let it stay there for now, because it was definitely safer with Miya and one fewer thing to worry about.
'Seems like I'll have to summon the shade of Furumizu sometime in the near future.' Harry thought with the mental equivalent of a sigh. Dealing with ghosts was always a tedious affair. Able to summon souls from the afterlife he may be, but that didn't mean they have to tell the truth or say anything at all. Which was why Harry didn't do so at once and chose to settle in some more into his new life.
The rest of the ride home was peaceful and uneventful. The same with the following three days in which a little bit of normalcy and routine settled in.
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Year 2013. April 4th Japan, Tokyo.
Harry exhaled a deep sigh as another employee left his office. Only one of many over the course of a day that wanted his opinion or go ahead. As he found out Japanese corporations held some significant differences to their western counterparts.
For one, every single decision or problem, no matter how small, would be delivered to him for approval on how to proceed. That was due to many Japanese companies adhering to a mantra called Ho-ren-so. It was a mnemonic device that combined the first syllables of three verbs: Houkoku (report), renraku (contact), soudan (consult). This meant that an employee in Japan must always keep their superiors informed about what they are doing. Every decision should go through the chain of command and get the stamp of approval from the boss. In this case him.
In Harry's opinion it was unnecessary, tedious and wasted precious time that could be spent working. Only made worse by the employees apparently being afraid of him. Some not even going to him, but also not solving the problem on their own. The first day in office had been one huge mess.
Though, just as bad was the fact that unpaid overwork was basically expected from the employees. Every day all the workers waited for the boss to finish to not seem lazy. Which resulted not in getting more things done, but rather in people appearing busy while they were anything but. In the end people grew stressed and overworked, which reduced productivity by a significant margin. All of which was not helped by people only taking half of their vacation time.
For Harry it was very weird how most Japanese saw their work as more important than their family most of the time. Substituting one with the other it seemed. That he now knew why there were apartments in this very building didn't make things better. 'At least they don't sleep on the street collapsed in exhaustion, like some people I saw.' he thought before finishing the documents before him.
"Thanks for your help, Nora!" Harry said gratefully to the beauty, who for some reason insisted that she be his assistant. Matsu was busy improving the security of the company's system together with Akitsu. Harry still didn't fully trust anyone here and found it better for Akitsu to keep an eye on the less combat-oriented Matsu. "Is Rie still angry at me?" he asked as he stood up, ready to be done for today. One look outside the window of the spacious room showed the sun beginning to set behind the horizon.
Nora, ever dutiful, replied immediately. "She is," she confirmed succinctly and added. "It seems your blood dissolving after a few hours didn't allow her to study it to her heart's content or run all the tests she desired."
"Eh, as long as it was confirmed that I'm the rightful heir I don't really care," he shrugged with a smirk, making to exit the room with Nora in tow. Harry didn't know why or when it got this way but somehow his blood seemed to break down rapidly when not in his body. Which was the only reason he allowed Rie to take some in the first place. Harry wasn't complaining, knowing what could be done with it against his will. "Besides, she still has the data from it." not as valuable as a sample, but enough in his opinion.
"Indeed." Nora concurred, following him while checking his schedule for tomorrow on her clipboard.
He grinned mischievously and pulled out a few phials from his mokeskin-pouch securely dangling around his neck. "She won't be mad for much longer when I give her these." he claimed self-assured, dangling the three vials between his fingers. Knowing that Nora wouldn't ask on her own he told her. "Cure for Boils." he held up the vial containing a vivid pink potion. "A Memory Potion, to improve memory like the name suggests, but also able to heal afflictions like Alzheimer's disease." a potion of emerald colour swirled inside the glass container followed by him showing the last vial holding an orange fluid. "And a Pepperup Potion, otherwise known as a cure for the Common Cold."
The only thing showing Nora's interest was the slight widening of her eyes. "Can these potions be produced in mass quantities?" she inquired, already thinking of the possible implications of such treatments in their possession. As well as the money they'd generate.
"They cannot." Harry shook his head. Potions could not be created by any form of machinery, always needing that human and magical element to work. Despite that Harry was not showing any negativity despite the seemingly bad news. "Neither can a Muggle or Squib produce most potions." some could be prepared by them, but those used ambient magic. "That's why I wanted to see if we can analyse the finished product, find out how they work and reverse engineer a Muggle equivalent." conveniently enough it wouldn't violate any laws of the Magical World either.
Nora simply nodded, internally very curious how this would play out. Should it be possible then NswF would be able to truly compete with MBI.
"How's your Cloneblade holding up? Everything working as intended?" Harry asked absent-mindedly as he made his way to where Matsu and Akitsu were currently.
"There are no longer signs of it breaking down, much the opposite actually," his assistant reported clinically. "My mind is clearer than ever and my body seems not as... exhausted as before your modification of it." She very slightly hesitated before saying more. "Shiori and I also have experienced a new phenomenon in the form of emotions not our own."
"Emotions not your own?!" Harry exclaimed, but grew quiet as quickly as possible. "You should've come to me immediately!" he lightly admonished Nora while dragging her into an empty room, locking the door and beginning to cast a variety of diagnostic charms on her.
Getting out of her startled state was achieved quickly for Nora. "While appreciated, your concern is not necessary, Potter-sama." she informed him. "I already have a strong suspicion what is causing it."
Not pausing in his casting, he replied. "Oh, what's that?" completely focussed on his task and evaluating the results. So far everything looked normal.
"The flashes of emotion always occur during the times you're intimate with your Sekirei," she told him without an ounce of shame or hesitation. Not even a slight pink dusting on her cheeks. "So, I assume that strong feelings are transferred through our bond to some degree."
Harry stopped his scans and mused as he scratched his stubble. "I see, interesting. I'll have to look into that." he straightened and looked directly at her. "I could take a closer look and try to fix it, if it does bother you."
Nora shook her head. "That's not necessary." as his surprised expression morphed into a confused one she admitted. "I find myself intrigued by this phenomenon and would like to explore it further." she had never felt these kinds of emotions rushing through her before. Nora's body also seemed to agree with that assessment, while her mind insisted to not go down that route. Something else told her she'd regret it if she didn't.
Eyeing the woman sceptically, Harry nodded. "If you're sure." She was capable of making her own decisions, after all. Though, for good measure he still looked her up and down as if to make sure she was really alright and added. "Should it change in a negative direction please come to me immediately!"
Bowing slightly, Nora acquiesced to his request. "Of course." it was only reasonable to do so.
Harry then sent Nora to personally deliver the potions to Rie while he made his way to his Sekirei. Though, once he arrived he noticed that they seemed to be playing something.
"What're you two looking at?" he asked after closing the door behind him. Seeing both Sekirei stare at the TV where some figures battled on a vibrant stage illuminated by all kinds of colours. If he remembered correctly Matsu talked about buying a console. Though, from the looks of it she bought all the latest ones.
Alerted to his presence Akitsu immediately let go of her controller and latched onto him with a hug and kiss. Followed by Matsu shortly after. "Just taking a break and teaching Akitsu the joys of Video Games," the redhead proclaimed proudly. "You wanna try, Harry-tan?"
Having nothing better to do, he shrugged off his jacket, removed his shoes and sat down. Akitsu immediately cuddled up beside him. "Sure, why not? But expect me to be rubbish at it. I've never played before." he had only ever watched Dudley play around with that stuff.
"You can't be worse than Akitsu," Matsu said, eyeing her fellow Sekirei out of the corner of her eyes. Said Sekirei of Ice wasn't the most enthusiastic of players. Most likely because the game had nothing to do with her Ashikabi.
Harry simply smiled. "We'll see." not having interacted with technology all that much the last Potter doubted he'd be any good at it. A good few matches of Mortal Kombat later, in which Matsu absolutely demolished him, only cemented that as a cold hard fact. After a few more rounds Harry noticed Akitsu standing up to look outside the window.
"Ah... an owl," the Sekirei of Ice informed him, pointing to the window in question. After hearing what was possible with magic Akitsu didn't fancy coming in contact with anything coming from these people.
Sure enough a pompous owl was performing all kinds of feats in front of the window to gain attention. "Should have really renewed that masking charm," Harry muttered as he stood up, never taking his eyes off the owl. Having hoped these people had forgotten him after fifteen years. They had forgotten he existed every summer anyway, so that should have been easy for them. 'Apparently that's too much to ask,' he thought derisively as he swiftly reapplied the charm that hid him from owls.
Knowing what the owl meant, Harry stoically marched to the window, opened it and swiftly stunned the animal while simultaneously summoning it. The bird's momentum carried it inside, where Harry prevented it from crashing while levitating the owl on a nearby table. Taking no chances he motioned for the Sekirei to stay back. He then separated the letter from the owl's leg via a cutting charm, put the unconscious bird a bit further away and promptly began casting a variety of charms on the letter. Not wanting any kind of cursed mail to ruin his day.
He frowned when the results showed no signs of tampering. Opening the mail did not give him more clues either. "It's empty." not a single line written on the parchment. Only one possible reason came to mind. Namely that someone followed the owl to know his location. "Akitsu, Matsu, come with me! If my suspicion is correct then we're having a problem," he ordered, hearing Matsu shut down the console.
To be extra safe he called Nora and told her to bring Shiori as well. Thanking Matsu mentally for buying him one of the newest cellphones to better communicate. Though, he'd have to take care not to use magic directly on it. "Yes Nora, it's me. Listen, I need..." he trailed off as Nora informed him of something. "Weirdly dressed people making a ruckus in the lobby? Yes, please take Shiori with you and try to resolve the issue. I'll be there as soon as I can. Do not take these people lightly!" after another pause he confirmed. "Yes, somewhat like me."
"Let's go," was all he said to his Sekirei after putting his shoes back on, picking the owl up and vanishing the letter.
The elevator ride down was spent in tense silence and seemed to last an eternity. When the doors finally opened Harry's posture was regal, but relaxed enough to allow for quick action. After stepping out the commotion was easy to spot. A group of gingers accompanied by some other people he remembered were apparently loudly talking at Nora and Shiori. There even seemed to be Malfoy of all people, judging by the balding head of platinum blonde hair. As well as others he did not recognize.
To be sure Harry activated an ability his artificial eye possessed that let him see through Invisibility Cloaks and Disillusionment Charms. Which caused him to remember Dumbledore, only that the old fool had been able to do so because he possessed the Elder Wand at the time. Without it's help nothing could see him under the cloak. Of course, detection by scent, noise or footprints could still be done. Thankfully he had permanently added that function to his eye together with the translation ability just recently.
'Of course.' Harry thought in resignation as he saw two figures hovering at the back of the group. The two wore the typical red coats of British Aurors surrounded by a minimal haze of light indicating Invisibility Cloaks. Once his gaze had finished sweeping over the group he focussed on Shiori.
Just so repressing a scowl he approached them. Shiori saw him first and called out. Barely visible relief on her face as she did so. "Potter-sama!" followed by a bow that Nora soon mirrored.
"What seems to be the problem?" he asked as if he didn't already know. Never once deigning the guests with a look as his left side was turned to them.
The youngest Weasley son chose that moment to open his gob. "Harry, mate! We..."
"Are entirely unwelcome! Also, did I speak to you?!" Harry asked rhetorically in English. His voice a lazy drawl that carried a cold undertone together with one raised brow accompanied by a dismissive wave of his left hand that gave the impression he saw this as wasted time. All the while seeing the shock register on their faces upon seeing him changed so drastically. From his replaced right eye, metallic left hand and expensive suit. He turned back to Shiori, clearly expecting her to answer.
"These... intruders appeared, made a ruckus and we have no idea what they want because they don't speak Japanese." Shiori informed him, looking at these people disdainfully. "Shall we expel them from the premises, Potter-sama?"
Harry was seriously tempted to answer affirmatively, but knew, even if Nora, Shiori and Akitsu beat them off, they'd be back sooner or later. 'Considering the Aurors and how many purebloods there are that have no idea to blend in that's a problem.' he mentally sighed in exasperation. One eccentric dude may be waved off, but a gaggle of them was something completely different. "No, tell someone to prepare an empty conference room and keep an eye on them. Lethal force is authorised if they make a hostile move!" he informed both Neogenes in Japanese. One look at the intruders showed them not understanding the language. Harry would take no chances here.
Shiori nodded in confirmation and made to execute his order immediately. Subtly glancing at the intruders with narrowed eyes. Meanwhile Akitsu and Matsu were busy glaring at the unwanted guests. The temperature dropped a few degrees at the Ice Sekirei's rage.
Without saying anything, Harry waited for Shiori to return and once she did so he motioned for them all to follow his normal employee. The Neogenes, Sekirei and Harry himself made up the rear, treating these people much like criminals by not turning their backs on them. Less opportunity to be surprised. His already negative opinion of his former friends only falling lower due to the Aurors stalking just behind him.
As he followed his former friends his mind was in utter turmoil as blind hatred threatened to consume him. Never once taking his eyes off of them. Feeling something soft touch his right arm brought him out of his mind. He looked to see that Akitsu had dragged his arm to rest between her cleavage, mirrored by Matsu on his unfeeling left arm. Both not looking at all bothered by what others viewed as an incredible intimate action. Obviously having felt his state of mind and trying to calm him down in their own unique way. They were mildly successful at least.
Two minutes later they were in a moderately big conference room. After making sure everybody was in his line of sight and transfiguring his chair into comfortable armchair Harry sat down at the head of the table. Nora and Shiori did not sit and instead chose to stand behind him. His Sekirei, instead of using a chair of their own, used the generous armrests of his armchair to better protect him. Some of the more uptight magicals gaped at the sight, especially Akitsu's dress, but Harry paid them no mind.
Instead he glared at the group of Witches and Wizards before him, careful to not let his gaze rest on the Aurors in the room. He took in each and every one of them and categorized them before pointing at Draco. "Why the bloody hell are you all here, Malfoy!" he demanded, his voice leaving absolutely no room for any argument. He may absolutely dislike Malfoy, but the brat he remembered was at least always honest with his intention towards him.
Having not expected to be addressed by Potter in any capacity, Draco was a bit stumped but recovered quickly enough. "We came here to request that you return home. Gringotts announced that your debt is paid in full."
Harry snorted derisively. "Home? I am home!" he unconsciously squeezed the waists of his Sekirei, his body instinctively wanting to emphasize the point. "I know how you tracked me down." he held up the owl, revived it and let it return to Percy of all people. "But how did you know in which country to look exactly? Did the goblins tell you?" Normally Gringotts didn't tell outsiders information on employees, but he was no longer one. Besides, there was nothing a goblin would not do for the right amount of gold.
A voice he still could identify out of a crowd spoke up. Only that it now belonged to someone he loathed with every fibre of his being. "Harry! You can't just violate the Statute of Secrecy like that!" Granger admonished, her brown eyes darting from him to Nora and Shiori.
Just so unclenching his fists Harry took a deep breath to calm down. When he opened his eyes again he glared at the bushy-haired woman. "They know about magic."
"But they're Muggles!" Ron protested, having felt no more magic from any of his companions that was larger than a Squib. Assuming that to be just what Harry was bleeding off onto them due to proximity.
Hearing those words an idea took hold in Harry's mind that would shut them up the quickest and increase the chances should it come to a fight. "Nora, please lean closer. There is something I need you for." he requested of his assistant. Nora promptly walked before him after blinking once with a clear question in her eyes. Still, she leaned down towards him without preamble. It was promptly answered as he took her chin and kissed her, drawing gasps from about everyone in the room. Unseen by everyone but his Sekirei he used the Elder Wand still in his holster to weave a charm over Nora that let her see the invisible Aurors. "You'll see two people that weren't there before. Don't stare and take them out when I tell you to." he whispered after breaking the kiss, causing Nora to nod distractedly with slightly widened eyes.
Turning back to the group before him his gaze grew colder as he repeated. "Now, how did you know where to find me?! And did you come through the Magical Side of Japan?"
"I saw you on the news while visiting my parents in Australia," Hermione supplied with clear hesitation. Not knowing what to make of this changed person in front of her. "And no, we arrived by plane," she ignored Draco's mutterings about Muggles and their flying deathtraps. He at least was trying to become better.
This time a scowl did appear on Harry's face. "And what did give you the idea that I wanted to see any of you, Granger?" he took some petty and vindictive pleasure as Hermione shrunk back from his cold words. "The fifteen years I spent not contacting every single one of you? Or the fact that I moved to the other end of the world as soon as my debt was repaid?"
"We're your friends. As soon as we noticed you gone we looked all over and sent out owls, but none could find you," Ron spoke up, not really knowing what to think either but at least tried to reason what he thought they did was right. "Only when it was made public you worked for Gringotts to settle the debt of our break-in did we know where you were. Why didn't you tell us? We could've helped you!"
Harry snorted with contempt and sneered. "Friends, huh? There's just one problem. You are no friends of mine!" never once taking his eyes off of them, waiting for them to draw their wands and this situation to go down the drain. He shrugged at their shocked expressions before continuing. "I thought you felt the same way and assumed I'd spare you and the Ministry the trouble of killing me by vanishing and removing myself. Besides, Gringotts saw me as the leader of the operation and therefore solely responsible for the break-in. Even if you wanted to help, they would not have given a single damn. So, are you willing to tell me why you're really here or should I have you thrown out?"
While Harry spoke Draco's wife, Astoria, nudged his side. Basically telling him to get on with it. He just rolled his grey eyes but acquiesced. "As much as I'm enjoying the show, let me cut to the heart of the matter," he interrupted what Weasley clearly wanted to shout out. Knowing it'd be futile to try and convince Potter of their true intention from his downright hostile reaction to them. He didn't know what happened between Potter and his friends, but it must've been huge to have this kind of impact. Not to mention that Potter reminded him too much of Voldemort right now. The cold look, the sheer magical pressure sizzling beneath his skin just waiting to be unleashed on anyone rousing his ire. Draco just so suppressed a shudder as he remembered that particular monster of his past. "We want you to come back because the Wizengamot is in a deadlock right now," it may not have been their primary objective coming here, but Potter would hopefully believe that more readily.
"And you want me because?" Harry asked again, growing impatient with this whole conversation and simply wanting them to spell it out. He had a pretty clear idea just what they wanted. "Some kind of mascot to rally people and votes behind?" disgust clear in his tone, though not actually thinking it to be the case.
Malfoy shook his head faster than he intended. "No! It's because the Traditionalists and Progressives can't agree on a single course of action." fifteen years ago there also had been Purists, but after Potter was finished at the Battle of Hogwarts there were so little left that they simply merged with the other factions. Malfoy himself had also changed to the Traditionalists. A decision in no small part influenced by his wife. "It wasn't an issue until a few years before, where Tiberius Ogden, the old Chief Warlock, died without an heir." he may have been an old fart, but his objectivity served well because he had always been the deciding factor. "But now there is no Chief Warlock selected because nobody can come to an agreement."
"So, you want the votes from House Potter, Black, Gaunt, Peverell, Slytherin and Gryffindor?" he very much enjoyed their dumbfounded reactions. "Don't be so surprised," he admonished smugly. "I've known that since about a week after the final battle. The goblins were very thorough in plundering all the vaults in my possession and telling me about it. Only that none of them held particularly valuable things or much money." Every other vault except the Potter one had been nearly completely empty due to one reason or another. While the goblins could've tried to kill him, they liked money more and someone dead could not earn money for them. While killing the 'Slayer of Voldemort' also brought disadvantages to them in the form of public outcry and people possibly removing their savings from the bank.
"Did you know this would happen?" Malfoy asked shrewdly, acting on a hunch from years of political experience.
Harry began to smile, something that could only be described as a facsimile of one. You knew what it was supposed to be but it did not come near the original. "No, I did not know this would happen. It's what I expected, but not what I hoped for." his smile grew to a grin more akin to a grimace as he spoke. "I had hoped for another neighbouring Ministry to invade Magical Britain once they smelt an easy victim already bleeding out and vulnerable. I had hoped for someone to paint Voldemort as a kind of martyr and use his image to rally the remaining Purebloods of Europe behind to begin the slaughter anew. Knowing that none of the sheep had learned anything from this whole ordeal, like always." His tone took on a wistful melancholy as, he was apparently lost in memories.
"It started so good too. All the remaining Death Eaters weren't thrown into Azkaban and pardoned like after the last Blood War." He directed an expression full of dark amusement at Malfoy. "Of course, the Imperius defence held as strong as ever to protect upstanding citizens. No doubt helped by some generous bribes, isn't that right, Malfoy?" Harry particularly enjoyed the fidgeting of Draco. "What does it matter if you swore yourself to the cause of eradicating everyone impure? What does it matter that you cast every Unforgivable with impunity? Or endangered a whole school full of children by helping a murderous psychopath gain entry?" Harry began to chuckle. "And so the guilty were forgiven without having to earn it, betraying the innocent in the process." the next words were practically spat out like a curse. "After all, it's what the great Dumbledore would've done!"
"What happened to make you hate us so?" Granger questioned, clearly hurt by his dismissal.
This time Harry outright growled at the sheer audacity of her. There was nothing but contempt lacing his next words. "Did you know that you cannot lie when you're in Limbo? And that all charms and enchantments are lifted from you?" he ignored their dumbfounded expressions at the apparent and abrupt change of topic, leaning his elbows on the table and interlacing his fingers.
"That's what happened after I let myself be killed by Voldemort in the Forbidden Forest and met Dumbledore in the In-between. There I also learned the truth, but only because I remembered something else first. Something that made me suspicious about your actions. Something you and I did during the Hunt for the Horcruxes. Something you took from me!" Harry explained and saw her eyes widen in horror and terrible realisation. "So, I asked Dumbledore some questions, demanding the truth. You can imagine my disgust at him basically admitting to having planned my life to be so miserable that I'd have no reason to live. A nice and obedient little martyr prophesied to kill Voldemort or be killed and who dies when he's told to. All with the agreement and approval from all of you!"
The silence was deafening in the room as the people before him squirmed uncomfortably. Some flinched away from his gaze, while the ones he did not know stared at his former friends.
Yet Harry wasn't finished, openly musing. "You must've had a good laugh about it behind my back together with Snape, huh?" His sneer by now rivalling the dead Slytherin. "Must've been why you always defended him. I bet nothing brings people together better than plotting the death of someone you both hate."
Tears streaming down her face, Hermione screamed. "That's not true! We care..." She didn't get to finish as a wave of pure angry magic swept over them, forcing some of them to take a step back as if hit by an invisible force.
"You dare to tell me that lie to my face?!" Harry outright snarled with narrowed eyes. His magic aura went wild as it whipped up a small storm inside the room. "How can I possibly trust any words pouring out of your mouth after what you've done, betrayer?!" his eyes never once leaving her tear-streaked face. "I believed Dumbledore when he said he cared. I believed all of you when you did the same. Stop pretending you give a damn!" he raised his hand followed by snapping his fingers, the sound amplified by magic. "Nora!"
Swifter than before she transformed together with Shiori, who Nora had whispered Harry's instructions to when everyone was focussed on him. Only needing to make their hair razor sharp and impale the hidden people, having covertly positioned themselves during the conversation.
Two cries of pain could be heard. A moment later the sources of the sound could be seen bleeding out on the floor.
"Leave and take that trash with you," he ordered coldly before snorting out. "Of course you'd need hidden assassins for a peaceful talk. Once a liar always a liar."
"But... But..."
An icicle impaled the floor before them. "Leave!" Akitsu commanded, a very real threat in her voice. More icicles forming behind her as she stood protectively in front of her Ashikabi.
Tail firmly tucked between their legs they were escorted by the group and thrown out the building.
Not even when the door was closed behind them did Harry relax any more. Only to turn around and be met with one fool in robes he did not know remaining. "What about get out do you not understand?!" he hissed out between clenched teeth, his patience wearing thin.
Trembling in his boots, the man held out an envelope to him. It slipped out of his fingers from where he tried to catch it before giving it up and dashing off.
After checking the envelope for tampering Harry opened it. "It seems the Queen requests my presence," slight incredulity colouring his voice.
"Why?" Matsu inquired, looking over his shoulder to read the letter.
"To give me some medals, apparently."
With the situation resolved for now Harry turned to Nora as he walked towards his penthouse. "I'm truly sorry for kissing you without your permission." he apologized, hoping to get his sincerity across successfully. "I wasn't thinking straight at the time with old feelings clouding my judgement. Of course, that is no excuse and should you desire it you can work under Rie or someone else as of now. Or somewhere else entirely."
"Oh, oh, can I be your assistant then, Harry-tan?" Matsu inquired with a lecherous smile and a gleam in her eyes. Appearing at his side in an instant and linking his organic arm with her own. Already imagining the fun and kinky role-play they could get up to.
Not one to waste an opportunity Akitsu chimed in as well. "Ah...Me too!" for her it didn't matter if she was his assistant, secretary or bodyguard. As long as she was near him as much as possible. In Akitsu's mind she could learn on the job.
Nora blinked in what Harry thought to be surprise. He didn't know if it was because he apologized or due to another reason. "That's not necessary!" she affirmed forcefully, an imperious look directed at the Sekirei. "You did so to covertly inform me of a threat to your person and I serve at your pleasure. Therefore I do not require an apology." nearly unseen, a slight pink dusting appeared on her cheeks.
"If you're sure." Harry replied sceptically, looking for any kind of deception in her face. Not that he'd find any with the woman's excellent deadpan expression. He also ignored his Sekirei slightly glaring at the Neogene for the ruined opportunity.
With that ordeal seemingly over the last Potter made his way back to his room. Utterly exhausted from the ordeal and only sleep on his mind.
