Harry Potter & the Shipgirls

[darthcourt10]

Harry Leferts

On his broom, Harry let out a puff of air as he looked around. He was on the other side of the Black Lake from Hogwarts and looking for one spot in specific. One that he had been told about by some of the older Muggleborns. It didn't take him long to find the spot in question on a ledge facing the castle. Setting down, he pulled out what looked like a large suitcase from the expanded handbag and set it down. Then Harry pulled out a military laptop and set that down before he let out a sigh. "Okay... how did Naka-Nee explain how to do it..."

Several minutes later found him sitting on a rock with the laptop open as was the suitcase. Inside the suitcase was an odd dome-like object that Harry ignored as he stared at the screen. "Come on... come on... Shinano-Chan did say that I was supposed to hook up around now, right?" Before he could wonder more though, on the screen of the laptop was a group of words that told him he was being linked to the satellites and he waited as the video chat downloaded. Not long after, it finally connected and a window popped up showing the inside of some object that had cushions.

But it was who that was sitting on those cushions that caught Harry's attention as he smiled. "Regina!"

Flustered, the Re-Class smiled as she gave a shy wave. "H-hello, Harry. It's very nice to see you again..."

Leaning back, Harry nodded some. "And it's great to see and talk to you, too." A frown on his face, he shook his head some. "Kind of a shame that I can only do this once a week here at Hogwarts..." Internally, he continued. 'And lets me chat with Hanna once a week as well.'

Just biting her lip, Regina glanced at where her tail had raised up to look at the screen over her shoulder. "Um, at least we get the ch-chance to talk with each other."

Slowly, Harry nodded at that. "Yeah, mail might take a bit to reach you... where are you anyways? And what are you in?"

Blinking, Regina gave it some thought. "Well... I'm at an atoll set aside for Supply Depot Princess... Lady Wanko gave it to her a-and with some help from humans they set up a platform for the internet as payment for her, you know, and..." She looked around before turning back to Harry. "I-I'm in one of the salvaged survival pods."

Not having expected that, Harry blinked a little bit. "Survival pod?"

With a nod, Regina pulled her scarf up a bit. "That's right... like what oil rigs use. We-we're using them for privacy purposes..." Frowning a little, Regina shifted uncomfortably. "T-that's okay, right?"

Softly snorting, Harry shook his head. "Of course it's alright. Besides... I'm on a mountain right now to avoid people bothering me while I talk to you." As her face lighting up in a blush, Harry blinked. 'Was it something I said...?'

Quickly shaking it off the best that she could, Regina brightly smiled. "Oh... that's actually pretty good. And... I'm glad that you don't want to be interrupted. I don't either."

Leaning towards the screen a bit, Harry smiled. "So... what's been happening on your end of things recently?"

Her expression bright, Regina began to tell him about some of Revina's antics. It was an hour later when the hatch to the survival pod opened up and Regina got up out of it, leaving the laptop she had been using inside. Having secured it, she jumped a bit as an arm slung itself over her shoulders and she could hear Revina's voice with a slight tease to it. "So... did ya enjoy your chat with the kiddo?"

More then a little flustered, Regina looked towards the smirking Revina with a heavy blush on her face. "H-h-how did you know?"

Suddenly, Revina had a witch's hat on her face as her tail came to a stop in front of her. Ont it's head was a cushion that held a crystal ball. "Ah, the great Revina knows all, sees all, and hears all!"

Only blinking, Regina suddenly found Revina slinging an arm over her shoulders again. "U-um... it was really quite nice... Harry is very kind after all and I like talking to him." A small sparkle entered her eyes. "And some of the stories that he tells are pretty funny too."

Nodding, Revina cupped her chin. "I see, I see... that's all rather interesting." Curious, Regina turned towards her sister, only for said Re-Class to walk away. "Anyways, I'm starved! I cannot wait to sink these chompers into something yummy."

Confused still, Regina slowly followed her nonethless. Already though, she was waiting for the next week where she could talk with Harry again. Or a few days when she could talk with Shinano and Louisiana.
__________________________________________________________________________

Walking into the First Years Boy's Dorm after coming back from his talk with Regina, Harry had to blink as he noticed that Ron was looking at his owl box. "Ron?"

All the red haired boy did was gesture at it. "You got a letter in there."

More then a little intrigued, Harry walked over and took the envelope in his hands before opening it. "Mum must have forwarded it to me." Taking out a picture, Harry looked at it and then smiled a bit. Then he looked at the letter itself and quickly read it before snorting. "About time."

Confused, Ron looked at the photo which showed a young man with one fake leg who stood next to an extremely pale skinned Japanese woman with black hair. "Who's that?"

Glancing at him, Harry's eyes followed his friend's gaze and chuckled a bit. "That would be Sasaki Miyuki and Mori Daisuke, you met Daisuke back at the base, remember?"

It took a few moments before Ron's eyes widened a bit. "Oh, yeah, now I remember, he was the manager guy for the inn just outside the base, right?" Getting a nod, he frowned. "... So what's up? And why would he be mailing you a letter?"

Lips twitching, Harry shook his head. "Well... apparently he's finally asked Miyuki to marry him. About time that the two of them marry."

Raising an eyebrow, Ron frowned some. "Wait, wait... Miyuki? The one that he was talking about all the time? That Miyuki is the girl in the picture?"

With a chuckle, Harry tapped the picture. "That's right, you remember the story, right?"

Slowly, Ron nodded with his eyebrows furrowing. "Yeah... something about how he met her up in that Hokkaido place during a Abyssal attack during the winter, right?"

Humming, Harry tilted his head a bit. "Daisuke was in the JGSDF and out on patrol when he stumbled upon her running from some Abyssals that had come ashore and rescued her from them... though he lost his leg in the process. They still managed to get out of there and some things happened, and they got together. So now they're getting married next winter and I'm invited along with some of the others since he knows us."
That caused the red haired boy to blink a little in confusion. "In winter, mate? Why not summer when it's nicer? Winter is going to be cold and stuff."

For several moments, Harry was silent before he shrugged. "Miyuki... really does not like the heat." At Ron's look, Harry shook his head. "She wears one of those cooling vests all the time because she overheats easily in warmer weather except for August and July, then she's usually at their quarters with the AC going all the time along with the vest."

Now really confused, Ron stared at him. "Then why does she live in Yokosuka if the summer bothers her so much?"

Looking at the picture, Harry had a somewhat odd expression. "I asked her once... she said that she loves Daisuke with all her heart and will go through any discomfort to be by his side no matter what. And, well, Yokosuka is the only place he could find a job so they came save up for their dream."

Interested, Ron looked at the picture. "And what's that?"

A small chuckle came from Harry as he shook his head. "They want to open up a inn in the mountains somewhere it's cooler so that Miyuki can be more comfortable. But until they save up enough and Daisuke finishes the courses he's taking..." Harry shrugged some. "They got to stay in Yokosuka."

Scratching his head, Ron finally just shook his head. "Well... Good luck to them, I guess?"

Harry's lips turned upwards a little bit. "I'll let them know that you wished them good luck." Then he became a little thoughtful. "Huh... you know, you gave me an idea for a gift..."

Utterly confused, Ron looked over at him. "I did?"

Chuckling, Harry slowly nodded. "Yeah... you did. Now to figure out how to do it..."

 

[darthcourt10]

Harry Leferts

Frowning as she felt the tingle spread across her hull, Louisiana glanced around with a raised eyebrow. "What the heck was that?"

Beside her, Niiyodo sighed a little. "That... would be the magic protecting this place from being found."

About to say something, Lousiana blinked at the sight of the island that just appeared and crossed her arms against her chest. "Huh..." Shaking her head, she glanced at the Light Cruiser beside her as well as Karakaze and Kiyokaze. "So, all we do is just, what? Walk ashore and look around?"

Nodding, Niiyodo examined the island as they headed for the sandy beach by a old, broken pier. "That's generally what we do when exploring these islands... Not that we usually find all that much."

Louisiana blinked at that before having a bemused smile on her face. "I see" Her attention was then grabbed by Karakaze who pulled out a map and began to mark a triangle on it. "What's that you got there?"

With a glance, Karakaze turned back to her work. "Just marking down the location of the island for future reference, ou!"

That, if anything, only caused the Battleship to become more confused as she scratched her head. "Wait a moment... I thought that these islands couldn't be marked down on maps?"

It was Kiyokaze who answered. "Well, yeah... But there's ways around it."

Humming, Niiyodo continued to watch the coastline as the water below them got shallower and shallower. "One of them is that if we mark three points equidistant from each other with the island in the center of the triangle, then it lets us at least mark the general area it's in."

Simply huffing a bit, Karakaze frowned. "Can't wait for the Statute to fall... then we can take down all these stupid spells."

A considering look on her face, Louisiana looked back the way that they came. "So how are they hiding these anyways? Wouldn't a ship stumble upon them at some point? Or a plane?"

Just shrugging, Niiyodo shook her head. "From what Haru-San said, the spells make it appear like open water from outside the spells and they don't go enough for a plane to normally see them. Besides which... they start out further out to see where they give a small mental 'Nudge' to non-magicals to steer their boats and ships away so they end up missing them entirely."

Eyebrows raising, Lousiana gave a hum. "Okay... color me impressed." Moments later, they stepped onto the beach and Lousiana looked up at the small cliffs which had various flowers on them. "Now that's a lot of flowers up there."

Frowning, Niiyodo frowned slightly, "I wonder if this was someone's garden?" Looking at the pier, she narrowed her eyes. "It's certainly doesn't look like anyone's been here for a long time if that damage is right."

Her own eyes trailing along the pier, Louisiana nodded. "Yeah... that doesn't look like battle damage, just normal weathering."

Suddenly, Kiyokaze jumped around a little bit. "Ou! The sand is actually warm!"

That caused blinks from the other shipgirls as they spoke as one. "What?"

Kneeling down, Niiyodo shoved her hand into the sand and furrowed her eyebrows. "She's... right. The sand is pretty warm." Lifting her hand out of the sand, she shook it off. "That's odd."

Meanwhile, Karakaze was more interested in a spring that was bubbling from just underneath the raised edge of dirt and jogged over, dismissing her rigging. "I wonder..." Crouching, she took a sniff and then put her hand in the water that was bubbling out and eventually vanishing in the sand. "Hey! It's a hot spring!"

Eyebrows vanishing under her hairline, Niiyodo blinked. "Wait... a hot spring?"

Hopping around, Kiyokaze had a grin on her face from up top from atop of a small hill. "Look! There's more over here!"

Just sharing a look, Louisiana and Niiyodo quickly made their way over only to blink at what they found there. There, in front of them, were several pools that had steam rising from them which caused Niiyodo to blink. "You're right... hot springs?"

With her hand protecting her eyes from the glare of the sun, Louisiana turned in the direction of Yokosuka. "How far away are we from the base again?"

Now thoughtful, Niiyodo considered the question. "Maybe... forty, fifty miles away out to sea? Why?"

Glancing at her, Louisiana smirked a bit. "Well... it's not that far away from the base and we're the only ones who know that this place is here, right?"

After a moment, Niiyodo understood what she meant and chuckled. "You know what? You're right!" Then she shook her head. "We should investigate the rest of the island though."

Simply nodding, Louisiana and the two Destroyers followed her as they began walking. Within a few hours though, they had covered the island and found only flowers from what seemed like a massive garden, some ruins from a building that had to be over fifty years old, and more hot springs. A sign though told them it had been a hot spring resort of some kind.

Needless to say, when they got back to Yokosuka the news was met with some excitement from the other shipgirls...

 

[darthcourt10]

Harry Leferts

Underneath the blankets, Harry tossed and turned before finally, with a grunt, he threw his sheets off himself. 'Dammit...' Reaching up, he rubbed his scar which seemed to burned a little bit. "What the heck is going on...?"

A soft hiss beside him caused Harry to turn to see Shiromizu there in the low light of the dorm. "{Is there something bothering you, Harry?}" Upon seeing him pause, she moved until she was practically on his leg and coiled up. her tongue flicked out and she froze. "{... Have you been crying, Harry?}"

That caused Harry to reach up and touch his face just below his eyes before he blinked. '{... Huh, you're right...}"

If she had eyebrows, Harry was sure that Shiromizu would be raising one as she gave him a look before gently patting him on the leg with her tail. "{Come now, Harry. Tell Shiromizu Onee-Sama all about it. You know that I won't judge you.}"

Staring out the window, Harry sighed a little bit and rubbed at his still aching scar. "{I just had a bad dream.}" At her look, he grimaced. "{About, you know... my biological Mum and...}"

To Harry's confusion, Shiromizu climbed up his arm until she was perched on his shoulder. Then, using her tail, she flicked away some of the moisture on his cheeks. "{I see... and your scar?}" When he looked at her in surprise, the serpent was unable to help herself and chuckled. "{Fufufufufu, I'm not blind, Harry. I can see that it's bothering you for some reason.}"

Harry was silent for a few moments before he finally shrugged. "{I don't know, it's burning at times.}

Unseen by Harry, Shiromizu was frowning slightly and her eyes narrowed. "{Burning, you say? How so?}"

Not quite sure where she was going with this, Harry finally shrugged. "{It just... burns at times, you know? Especially after one of those dreams happen. And it's been happening more often now.}" Even as the serpant gave him an odd look, he muttered. "{Might be because I still feel bad about Hagrid... he really did not like giving up Norbert.}"

Perking up, Shiromizu frowned a bit more. "{Happening more often? The dreams or the burning?}"

Shrugging, Harry turned towards her. "{Both, really. Why}"

However, all Shiromizu did was rub a tail underneath her jaw as she hissed. "{Now isn't that interesting...}" Seeing the look on Harry's face though, she shrugged. "{It's probably nothing.}" With a glance to the clock, she shook her head. "{Besides, it's late and you need your sleep}"

Much to her surprise though, Harry only swung his legs out of bed with a grunt. "{Maybe in a bit... it usually takes me a while to get back to sleep after one of those dreams really.}"

All Shiromizu did was slide off him and watch as he began to get dressed. "{I see... and what exactly are you planning to do then until you can get back to sleep? Perhaps a late night snack?}"

Chuckling, Harry looked over his shoulder at her. "{Why? You hungry, Shiromizu?}"

Head tilted to the side, she just hissed in amusement. "{No, as I have already eaten tonight as a matter of fact.}"

Slowly, Harry turned and fixed her with a look. "{And what did you eat?}" At the hisses that he knew was her version of a laugh, he sighed. "{Shiromizu...}"

Finally, she shook her head from side to side. "{If you really must know... Do you remember earlier in the Common Room, with Jess?}"

A frown on his face, Harry nodded though he was confused as to the direction that this conversation was going. "{Yes? She was doing her potions homework for her OWLs, right?"

Nodding, Shiromizu nodded. "{And what happened while she was studying?}"

It took a few moments, but Harry suddenly remembered. "{Oh, yeah... the Weasley Twins surprised her, right? And caused her potion to spill into the Common Room fire. It was kind of neat what happened with it.}"

Rather amused, Shiromizu nodded some. "{Yes, the fire turning bright pink was rather hilarious. Anyways, well, earlier I was down there and noticed a house elf put the fire out so that I can presume they could clean the fireplace. And something slithered out of the fire.}"

Having read his textbooks, Harry was easily able to guess where this was going. "{An ashwinder, right? Don't tell me that you...}" Upon seeing her tail flick, Harry sighed and shook his head. "{Because of course you did...}"

Once more hissing in laughter, Shiromizu shook her head. "{Well, I was able to find it just as it laid it's eggs and ate both it and the eggs. You should be thanking me for doing so as it might have caused a fire if left unchecked. Anyways... wasn't nearly as bad as I thought and quite warm in my stomach."

As he raised an eyebrow, Harry looked at Shiromizu's body more closely and frowned a little bit. "{... Don't those turn to ash shortly after they lay their eggs though?}"

Simply giving her version of a shrug, Shiromizu's eyes seemed to twinkle a bit. "{Perhaps normally, though it does not feel like there is ash in my stomach.}" To Harry's amusement, she gave a burp from which smoke and sparks issued. "{Excuse me!}"

Even as he shook his head, Harry chuckled at that. "{What am I ever going to do with you, Shiromizu? Seriously, I don't know of any other snake that would eat salamanders of the magical kind or ashwinders.}"

Humming, she flicked her tail from side to side. "{You know that you love me.}" Tilting her head back, she puffed as best as she could. "{After all, I am the best Onee-Sama you have, Fufufufufu.}"

Bemused, Harry cupped his chin in thought. "{Do I?}" Then he nodded. "{Why yes, yes I do.}"

With a slight smile on her face, Shiromizu watched as he shrugged on his flight coat. "{Don't tell me that you're...}"

For a moment, Harry paused. Then he sighed and continued to get his coat on. "{Sorry, it's just that I find that flying a bit relaxes me and I can sleep easier if I do some after one of those dreams.}"

A hiss caused him to turn and look down to see Shiromizu slowly slithering up his leg. "{I suppose that I might as well come with you then. Just to make sure that you don't get into any trouble.}"

Looking down at her as he pulled out his invisibility cloak, Harry shook his head. "{You just want to go for a ride, don't you?}" Not bothering to deny it, Shiromizu just gave her hissing laugh which made Harry shake his head at her. "{I don't mind, besides some company might be nice.}"

When he put on the cloak, of course, Shiromizu felt a shiver down her spine. No matter how many times she had been around it, for some reason the cloak always felt off. And she knew that she was not the only one as Haru and Natsumi were both antsy around it. 'What is it with that cloak...?'

It was about a half hour later when Harry and Shiromizu were through the air after retrieving the broom from the Quidditch supply closet for Gryffindor. Suddenly, Harry spotted a light moving along the ground and frowned before bringing a rangefinder up to his eye. Moments later, he frowned. "What the heck is Hagrid doing out and about at this hour and... with a crossbow?"

Somewhat intrigued herself, Shiromizu moved so that she could better see. "{Hmm... curiouser and curiouser... and it seems that he's heading into the forest. Perhaps he's doing a bit of night time hunting?}"
That got her a look from Harry. "{Hunting, in the Forbidden Forest at night?}"

All he got from her was a snake version of a shrug. "{Perhaps.}" Then Shiromizu turned towards him. "{Anyways, best to avoid him just in case.}"

Nodding, Harry angled his broom in another direction and was soon above the trees. However, not even ten minutes after losing sight of Hagrid, Harry spotted a flash of silver down below. "{Did you see that?}"

Her head bobbing, Shiromizu hissed. "{I did.}" Then she caught sight of the flash again only to blink as she could spot what it was through a opening in the canopy. "{It's a unicorn running? But where...}"

Suddenly, she stiffened and Harry looked at her. "{Shiromizu? Is something wrong?}" After her tongue flickering out rapidly, she opened her mouth in a hiss. "{Shiromizu?}"

Whipping her head towards him, she let out another hiss. "{I smell blood, and a lot of it! Something hurt it and badly!}"

Eyes widening, Harry then narrowed them before he began to speed along the treetops. "{Okay, let's go and save it. Tell me where it is}"

Following Shiromizu's direction, Harry soon noticed that the unicorn was staggering as it slowed and landed close by. It gave him a look as if searching his face as he held up his hands. "Whoa there... I'm not going to hurt you."

It was then that he noticed that the unicorn had turned slightly away from him and he could hear something on the ground. Turning, he could see something slithering on the ground and making a sniffing sound before it stopped and turned towards him. All of a sudden, his scar burst into agony and he could hear Shiromizu shouting something at him as the creature began to rush along the ground. However, suddenly Shiromizu was holding one of the ofudas that Haru had given him in his face and he grabbed it before channeling magic into it just as the creature lunged.

For a brief moment, it was as if a flashbulb had gone off in his face and he could feel some heat before everything was dark. Off into the distance, Harry could hear a screech that sent a shiver down his back. The black haired boy though could only blink as spots continued to fill his vision. "What in bloody blustering gales was that!?"

There was silence before Shiromizu gave a nervous chuckle. "{Um... that would have been one of the ofuda that Haru made to repel evil beings?}"

Once more, there was silence before Harry took a deep breath. "{One of the Ofuda that Haru gave me to repel evil beings, just in case Peeves tried something...?}"

Weirdly enough, Shiromizu coughed. "{Yeah...}"

His vision slowly coming back, Harry closed his eyes for a few moments. "{The Ofuda that are just supposed to create a somewhat bright light. A bright light that would drive off evil beings... that Ofuda?}"

Becoming amused slowly, Shiromizu chuckled as she began to see the humor in what happened. "{Yes, that Ofuda. The one that Haru gave to you before you left for Hogwarts after New Year's.}"

Unknown to Harry, she continued in her head. 'And the one that she made with the brush that you gave her...'

Finally able to see again, Harry shook his head. "{Right... that was not what I was expecting.}" The sound of something hitting the ground caused him to turn to see the Unicorn there on it's side breathing heavily. "Oh no..."

Briefly, Shiromizu felt her heart clench inside her chest before she shook her head. "{I... think that we're too late for her, Harry.}"

Turning, he looked into the serpent's ruby gaze. "{There has to be something that we can do! We...}" Harry then gestured to the dying Unicorn. "{We can't just let her die!}"

Suddenly, Shiromizu sucked in a breath. "{Harry... do you have one of those healing Ofuda that Haru also gave you? Just in case you got badly hurt?}"

Confused, Harry shrugged. "{Yeah, but those won't help here, they're only for small wounds.}"

As she chuckled, the snake on his shoulder turned towards him. "{Like how the evil repelling one should only make a slightly bright light when used?}"

Eyes widening, Harry clued in and began to dig around in his pockets before he pulled out the slip in question. Looking from it to the Unicorn, he gulped. "{I hope that this works, Shiromizu...}"

With a slow bob of her head, Shiromizu nodded. "{I hope so too...}" Moments later when he placed it onto the Unicorn, Shiromizu stretched out her tail and placed it onto the Ofuda alongside Harry's fingers. When he looked at her, she gave a hiss. "{I can help, some. After all, I got some magic of my own you know.}"

Blinking, Harry accepted that and pumped magic into it at the same time as Shiromizu. Then his eyes widened as the symbols on it began to glow brightly even as the paper began to smoulder. At the same time though, the Unicorn's wounds smoked as they slowly closed and, by the time the Ofuda was finished, there was no real sign that the Unicorn was hurt. Backing away, Harry and Shiromizu let the equine being get to it's hooves only to blink as it turned to them and then nuzzled the two of them. "Um... you're welcome?"

A look at Shiromizu let Harry know that she was just as confused before they turned at the sounds of hooves.
__________________________________________________________________________________________
Just watching as the small dot that was Harry Potter vanished into the night sky, Firenze sighed as Bane continued to glare at him. "I do not see what issue you may have with what I am doing-"

Growling, Bane got up into Firenze's face as Ronan backed away some. "You have read the same signs in the heavens, Firenze! What you are doing-"

Now glaring himself, Firenze straightened his back. "What I am doing is right! I will stand against the darkness, Bane, as we all should!"

It was then that a voice made itself known. "And as you should, Firenze, Son of Blaze."

All three Centaurs turned to see what looked like an old man in a cloak with a staff in front of them and who seemed to be glaring at Bane in particular. For a brief few seconds, Bane backed up from the shiver of fear that went down his back before he glared back at the old man. "You dare-"

The man's eyes seemed to light up as he snarled, somehow sounding like a hundred wild beasts. "Yes, Bane, Son of Oakan! I dare as you have ignored your duty! In fact, only Firenze has not among your entire herd!"

Reeling as if struck, Bane pulled his bow from his back. "I shall not be spoken to like this by a human!"

Before he could do much more though, the trees around them came alive and wrapped their branches around both Bane and Ronan, trapping them. Unable to move, both Centaurs watched as the man stalked forward. "Human..." To both of them, he seemed to grow even as the shadows inside his hood deepened while his eyes glowed malevolently at the two. "HUMAN! IS THAT WHAT YOU THINK THAT I AM YOU FOAL OF AN ASS!?"

Much to their surprise, Firenze gave the man a small bow. "They do not mean to insult you, Ancient One."

Shocked, Bane soon shook it off as he glared at his fellow Centaur. "What do you think-"

However, he was soon muzzled as branches covered his mouth and the old man turned and glared at him. "Be quiet. It is only because of Firenze that I have allowed for your herd to continue." Looking toward Firenze, he tilted his head a little. "Please, enlighten these two, Firenze."

With a nervous swallow, Firenze knew that they were all in danger. "Before us stand the Spirit of the Forest. The one whom is the true ruler of all the woods and with whom our ancestors once spoke to."

Eyes wide, Ronan looked from Firenze to the old man. Then he glanced down at his feet only to boggle at how plants grew around them. Even now, a small tree sprouted. "Impossible... that was only an old mare's tale..."

Just snorting, the old man grunted. "You have all forgotten much. Long ago, your ancestors made an... agreement with me. In exchange for being allowed to live under my shade and within my clearings, they would act as protectors for the forest. The creatures here would need not fear for the Centaurs would protect them from the depravations of the outside. And yet, what has happened this year? That... creature has been preying upon my Unicorns! And with you and your herd simply standing by and allowing it! Even with what I have done to protect them, I have still had my soil stained with their blood!"

Glancing from Firenze who seemed frozen and the furious man, Ronan felt the branches around him tighten for a moment. With a flash of insight, he realized that they could easily break every bone in his body, crushing him to a pulp. "The stars-"

The man just waved his hands in the air. "The stars, the bloody stars! THEY ARE NOT WHAT DECIDES WHAT HAPPENS TO THE CREATURES IN MY FOREST!" Growling, he stalked forward. "Know this, it is only because of Firenze that the deal continues. Honor the deal that your ancestors made with me..."

Having turned, the man stopped as Bane freed his head enough to speak. "And if we do not?"

Not bothering to turn, the spirit snorted. "Have you not noticed that your herd is slowly losing more and more ground? That is because you do not honor the deal you made, too concerned with stargazing and following what you believe is written within the sky. Continue with that, and eventually your herd shall lose all. Mayhap one of your foals shall trip upon a root and break their legs... Or stumble upon one of the acrumantula. As much as I hate them, they can be used. Truly, it is a shame that Hagrid has lost his dragon, a fine protector it would have made. Much better then you mules have been in recent centuries." Then he began to walk away, until he reached a tree and walked into it, his voice echoing around them. "I shall talk with your elders though, this shall be your only warning from me."

And with that, he was gone as the trees slowly set down both Bane and Ronan as all three felt a shiver run down their backs and it seemed that the trees were watching them judgementally. But it was the nearby Unicorn herd, which seemed to glare at them before trotting off that hit them the most.

 

[darthcourt10]

Harry Leferts

Walking through the docks behind Kaga, Tosa frowned slightly before turning her head towards her sister. "Is there a reason that we're here, Kaga-Chan?"

As she chuckled slightly, Kaga shook her head. "We're here to solve a small issue that came to my notice recently and which I and Akagi have taken steps to rectify."

If anything though, that made Tosa more curious as to what was going on though it was Amagi, who turned towards her sister, that spoke up. "An issue, Akagi-Chan? What sort of issue?"

Behind her, the Battlecruiser Takao nodded. "I hope that it's not a big problem..."

Smiling, Akagi only shook her head before glancing at Kaga whose lips had turned upwards slightly. "Not a big problem, no." Hands in front of her, she regarded her sisters, the sight of which never ceased to cause her boilers to warm and for her to thank the Kami. "Have any of you gone off base recently?"

Not sure where this was going, her sister Atago frowned. "No, unless you mean the sorties out once we got our training completed."

With a sigh, Kaga only shook her head. "We don't mean the sorties. But that is why we are here." Coming to a stop in front of a door, Kaga knocked on it. "Now then..."

From the other side, an accented voice spoke up. "One moment!" After a few seconds, the door opened to reveal Rose there who smiled at the sight of the shipgirls. "Well, hello there."

Giving her a smile back, Kaga bowed slightly to the tsukumogami. "Rose-San, good afternoon. I received a message from you that our orders were completed?"

Eyes widening, Rose nodded some. "Oh, yes, I just got them done last night as a matter of fact. Please, come on in."

Once she moved away from the door, Kaga lead the group inside the room and glanced around. Having been one of the ones who were summoned that first year, Kaga knew that the Docks were built out of an old warehouse on the base with a wall separating the repair docks themselves from where Akashi set up her space. Besides Akashi's office, there were several others, one of which had been given to Rose as her own. And looking around, Kaga could see that it had been modified.

Along one wall, a countertop had been added with cupboards above and below it which likely contained pots, pans, and ingredients. Beside it, there was a fridge and, in the corner, there was a stove and oven combo that Rose used for boiling water and for baking. In another corner there was a sink. But what caught Kaga's sight was a table beside an old, worn arm chair where there were several packages that Rose walked towards. 'Those must be them.'

Picking up the packages, Rose brought them over with a smile on her face. "Here we go, three for each of you. Hopefully they'll be good enough."

Softly chuckling, Kaga shook her head as she pulled out her wallet, Akagi taking the packages from Rose. "I am certain that they are more then good enough for what we need, Rose-San. You do excellent work after all."

Flustered, Rose bit her lip a little which made Akagi smile at her before the converted Battlecruiser reached over and gave her a pat on the head. "Kaga is right, Rose-San. You do extremely good work and everyone who has come to you agrees on that."

Even as Rose thanked both Kaga and Akagi, Amagi was somewhat confused at what was going on. "May I ask what's in those packages?"

With a slight smile as she opened her wallet, Kaga nodded. "Clothes for each of you..."

Taking the hint, Rose nodded as she ticked off on her fingers. "Three sweaters, three skirts, three shirts, and a vest in each of them."

Once more bowing slightly, Kaga nodded. "Thank you. What do we owe you?"

If anything being more confused, Kana looked between them as Kaga handed over the amount asked for. "Clothes?"

Akagi turned to her and handed one of the packages over. "That's right. After all, you have not been able to go shopping since you have been summoned and... Well, you do have need for having clothing besides your uniforms."

Gently taking the offered package, Kana thanked her as Kaga continued. "There is a small market here on base with shipgirls and others, such as Rose-San here, who have certain skills make use of them in return for either barter or money. Rose-San is very good at sewing and knitting."

Blushing some, Rose shook her head. "Atago... the Cruiser that is, is much better at sewing then I am, I'm afraid. But I am quite proud of my knitting... I get it from my Mistresses."

Only shaking her head, Kaga chuckled slightly. "You do a fine job regardless. Which is why a number of us shipgirls who have issues finding... suitable clothing, often come to you or Atago-San. It can be rather troublesome finding clothing that fits us in the local area after all." Turning towards her sisters, who were around the same height as Nagato, Kaga grimace. "Trust me, you'll find very few places around who can cater to those of us above a certain size."

Nodding, Akagi sighed a little. "It can be more then a little annoying at times, but between Rose-San and Atago-San, we've managed much better recently." A smile then brightened her face some. "Which we're all thankful for."

With a slight smile, Rose shook her head. "I'm just glad to be of use, really. And it does warm myself to see everyone enjoy my work." Then she frowned some as she looked between Kaga and Akagi. "Though I don't think that I can take any extra orders for some time. I will be quite busy working on some items for Louisiana as she would have a hard time even in the colonies, I think. After all, I very much doubt that even my Masters and Mistresses have met someone of her height and build before!"

Lips twitching, Kaga barely held back a chuckle. "I think that you're probably right. Thank you though for the work that you have done, I appreciate it and I am certain that mine and Akagi-San's sisters will too, soon enough."

The smile on Rose's face brightened a little at that. "Hopefully, though it was not that much trouble, I have a lot of free time on my hands after all. Thank you though for the compliment and I hope that it works out for you all. If there's any issues, please, come and see me and I shall do my best to solve them."

Clapping a hand on the smaller woman's shoulders, Kaga nodded. "I doubt very much that it will be needed. And I hope that you have a good day, Rose-San."

Several moments later, after Rose returned the farewell, Kaga and the others walked out as they headed back to their dorms. Their sisters talking and asking questions of the two Carriers.
___________________________________________________________________

Just sitting in her usual chair in front of the fireplace, Hermione ignored the slumped form of her friend as she pulled out her work. In another chair, Ron sat down and the two of them shared a look of amusement as Hermione cleared her throat. "You know... something odd happened earlier."

Ron raised an eyebrow at her, but played along. "Oh?"

Humming, Hermione began to work on the essay that she had due in a few days. "Oh, yes." With a slight frown on her face, she raised her head. "I was looking at the House Points and Gryffindor lost twenty of them for some reason."

A frown on his face, Ron blinked. "Twenty points? Hmm..."

From where he was sitting, Harry grunted at them. "Just shut up."

Sharing a look of amusement, the two of them turned to each other and then back at Harry. "So, what happened?"

For several moments Harry was just sighing before he sat up and winced a bit as he worked his hand some. "Last night I had a nightmare..."

Being as that did not explain much, Hermione raised an eyebrow, "A nightmare?"

With a shrug, Harry launched into his story and by the time he was done, Ron was slightly pale as Hermione was intrigued. "... And then I wrote a letter to Mum. She... was not too happy with me over what happened."

Softly snorting, Hermione shook her head. "I should hope not!" Grimacing, she fixed him with a look. "What were you even thinking, Harry?"

Rubbing his face, Harry groaned. "Everything was moving fast and I was just reacting. Anyways, Mum ordered me to tell Dumbledore about what happened and... he had this odd look on his face. " Seeing the interested expression on their faces, he shrugged. "He knew from Hagrid that something was killing Unicorns, but not what. The Centaurs did not tell him anything so... he wasn't too happy. But he thinks that Voldemort likely got hurt by what I did and might not show up for a while again if it was him."

Thoughtful, Ron furrowed his eyebrows. "How badly could be hurt? I mean... it was just a burst of light, right?"

Harry shook his head. "Maybe pretty bad? It was less like a burst of light and more like... a flashbang."

Confused, Ron turned towards Hermione who rolled her eyes. "Think a really bright, and loud, firework going off in your face."

Wincing, the red haired let out a hiss. "Yeah, I can see how that might have hurt him." Then he frowned. "Okay, that explains the points but..."

At Ron looking at his hand, Harry groaned a bit and placed his head back down onto the desk. "Mum had me write up a report on what happened so that she could see it." Even though Ron gave him a slightly suspicious look, Harry did not finish the thought. 'And which she likely put into a file for Hogwarts back at Yokosuka.'

Hermione was thinking the same thing though Ron just shrugged it off. "That bad?"

Moments later, he winced as Harry nodded and explained. "Several pages for it. Not fun at all, trust me."

However, if he was looking for sympathy, he was looking in the wrong place. Both of his friends merely gave each other amused expressions before beginning their homework.

 

[darthcourt10]

Harry Leferts

Sighing, Kongou stretched a little bit with pops coming from her joints. 'Ah... home at last.' Just as she was about to open the door, she paused as the ahago on her head went this way and that. 'Hmm...' When Kongou opened the door though, she had to smile at the sight that met her. "Hello, Haruna, Rose-Chan?"

The Battleship looked up from where she was laying back on a window seat with rain pattering against the glass. "Onee-Sama!"

Cuddled in her lap, Rose also looked up with a smile as the blanket that was covering them shifted a bit. "Good evening, Kongou."

Rather bemused at the cute sight, Kongou smiled at the two of them. "And a good evening to you too, Dess!" Walking over, she leaned over and hummed. "You look rather comfortable, may I ask what you're doing?"
Haruna only brightly smiled as she squeezed the tsukumogami in her arms a bit. "Rose-Chan and I are having a date."

Her eyebrow raising, Kongou's smile widened just a touch. "A date, you say?"

Nodding, Rose raised the book in her hands. "Quite." With a soft smile, she tilted her head back and regarded Haruna with a sigh. "We decided to try and have our first date. And so far it has gone splendedly."

Eyes closed, Haruna sighed and nuzzled Rose's hair. "We found a good book to read, a warm blanket, and a nice spot to listen and watch the rain."

Sharply nodding, Rose giggled. "And some nice tea and treats!"

Kongou only shook her head at that, rather amused at the two of them. But it did warm her on the inside at how happy the two of them looked. "I'm glad that the two of you are enjoying yourselves, Dess."

Cuddling Rose closer, Haruna placed her cheek next to Rose's. "Haruna is really liking our date, Onee-Sama." Then she had a small grin on her face. "And Rose-Chan is perfect for cuddling with."

That got a small laugh from Kongou before she shook her head as Rose blushed. "Far be it for me to interrupt it any more then, I'm just going to go and have a small nap until dinner."

Both Rose and Haruna nodded at that. "Hope that you have a nice nap, Onee-Sama."

Still blushing slightly, Rose gave a small wave. "We'll see you later then, Kongou."

Practically bouncing, the British born returnee quickly hugged the two and then left for her room. Once she closed the door, she waited a few seconds and listened. "Now where were we, Rose-Chan?"

A giggle could be heard before Rose spoke up. "Well... I was write about here and nearly finished with the page."

There was a hum and Kongou could imagine her sister nodding. "And Haruna was... right here. Rose-Chan reads rather quickly."

Hearing another giggle from Rose as she asked if Haruna wanted some more tea, Kongou smiled and then backed away from the door. Laying down on the bed, she sighed before closing her eyes, her boilers warmed by how happy her sister was.
________________________________________________________________

She had no idea how long she had floated in the ocean, drifting with the current. It might have been weeks, months, or longer. All she knew though was the pain from her wounds and the slowly developing fear that she would sink. To that very moment, she was confused as to why her fellows had attacked her most precious person. They had come in droves against the islands and she had protected the small lady as much as she could...

And she had failed.

Through their link, she had felt pain, agony, and then nothing at all.

So she drifted, wallowing in her failure even as her crew of shades tried to save her. It was then that she felt it and along with it, her hope. The small lady yet lived! But... why was she moving away? And she could barely feel her. She called out as best that she could, and yet... got no answer. Did the small lady leave her to die, due to her failure?

No... she was not that cruel, she was kind to her and the others.

Night became day, which became night once more. And so she drifted, the current carrying her. Storms washed over her and still held onto that small, burning hope to see the small lady once more. To hear her laugh and see her smile. So she drifted.

The days soon became weeks as she drifted, unable to move herself as her screws, what were her lower legs, had been destroyed in the battle.

In her boredom, she thought. She dreamed things she had never done so before. There was nothing else to do after all. With her screws gone, she could not move herself. Sometimes, a curious creature came close enough to grab, but it was never enough. Not enough to heal fully, just to continue.

And so, she drifted, bobbing on the sea like a cork.

Delirious, she would speak to her crew. Telling them tales of her battles against the Others. Not that she had many of those.

Where the current carried her, she did not know. Hunger gnawed at her, but she could ignore that. All for the small hope of seeing her precious lady. To serve her once more in whatever means she wanted.

Slowly, ever so slowly, she could feel more of the connection with the small lady as the current carried her. At one point, she bumped into what remained of a whale, sharks ripping into it. And as if sensing her weakness, they turned to tear into her as well. Sleek, grey bodies and gnashing teeth that would rip and tear flesh with ease.

How she feasted on those foolish creatures and the remains of the whale. It was not enough to fully repair her, but it was enough to keep her going further, and that was all she needed.

At once point, snow fell on her face and she blinked it away. It was... beautiful, in a strange way. Pure, in a way that she was not.

Onwards, she drifted, always onwards.

Her eyes, pointed to the heavens watched the clouds go by, the stars cross the sky and the Moon go through it's phases. Sometimes streaks ran across the sky as she watched. Little balls of fire that flickered and died. Brilliant, but brief. Other times, lights danced across her vision, curtains of otherworldly beauty. Here and there, a dance that she could not tear her eyes from even if she had wanted to.

And so she thought.

Thus she dreamed.

So she told to her crew.

Her experiences changed her.

Drifting, drifting without end on the sea.

The snow came yet again, and then left. She could tell that the current was carrying her southwards though now. Where it was taking her, she did not know. Her screws, though finally repaired, did not turn. She was...

Content.

Thoughtful.

At peace.

Meanwhile, that feeling of the small lady increased, as if she was coming closer. Softly crooning in her mind.

Calling her... home.

Still... she kept drifting.

Not even nearby sounds that she identified as the Others roused her. All she did was continue to stare up at the bright Sun above, the blue skies with it's puffy, white clouds. At last, she could see land. One by one, she drifted past islands large and small. And when the current changed direction, heading westwards, she used some power, she was near empty after all, to push herself towards the shore. Not much, and not fast, but she entered the nearshore currents and that was enough to continue her journey.

Drift... drift on.

Then a large storm rose up and she was pushed around by the wind and waves. At some point, she must have blacked out became when she awoke, she realized that she was no longer drifting. Beneath her, she felt sand and pebbles shift with each small wave and her own weight. How long passed as she laid there, she could not tell you. And then, she heard it.

Birds, two of them, singing to each other. Sitting up, she looked around and noticed that she was on a small island. Off to the west, she could just make out a much larger island. One where the Others sometimes came from. Now standing though, she walked around and found a path up a cliff to where there were berry bushes, just barely ripe with fruit. And she gorged herself on them, the sweetness and the tanginess bursting across her tongue. It didn't take her long, but she found the birds, building themselves a small nest. She watched them do so, still feeling... peace. Perhaps it was how long she spent adrift, but she no longer felt anger. Just... calm, and happiness.

Eventually, she explored more of the island. And then she found it. Someone had made an odd metal home in the cliff. It took some effort, but she opened it and found that whoever had used it was long gone. At least that was what the layers of dust told her. Closing the door behind her as she spotted water rising, she waited and looked around. It was in a backroom that she found it.

A small, little thing. Mummified where it had laid up against the wall, a small smile on it's face. Two large ears extended from it's head and a hook-like nose. It's large eyes were closed. Time passed as she looked at it. The little thing had died there, forgotten by all. In her chest, she felt something and narrowed her eyes.

Later that day, she placed the last stone on a pile on the highest part of the island. Around the small hill, past the bushes and the trees, one could see the ocean and the far off island. Slowly, she nodded to herself.

It was a good place for the little thing. Because now it could see the sky, the sun, and see the ocean, just drifting by. Placing one hand on the pile, she let out a slight smile as she felt a kinship with the little thing. It had died alone like she had almost had. No one was there for it, yet it found peace, like her. It did not have a name, just like she did not. Looking up at the sky, she let out a soft sigh as she decided to tell it so. That now she would watch over the island as it must have. And that now it could feel peace, just drifting as time passed it by.

"Wokyuu."

 

[darthcourt10]

Harry Leferts

Sitting on the shore of the lake, Harry was practicing with the flute that Hagrid had given him for Christmas and enjoying the warm, May weather for a change. After a short ditty, Harry pulled the flute away and frowned as he looked down at it. 'Hmm... still not right.'

What he did not expect was for there to be a giggle which raised the hairs on his neck. "Harry, Harry, quite contrary. Such an interesting boy."

Just blinking, Harry took in the young woman watching him as she leaned against a rock, chin propped up by one closed fist. Something her eyes though sent a shiver down his back due to a cruelty there. But what caught Harry's attention was that she was dripping water everywhere with what looked like seaweed in her hair. If he had been older, of course, he would have also noticed how her dress clung to her body as if it was a second skin. And it didn't help that anyone would boggle at the diaphanous material that her clothing was made up of. "Are you alright? Need some help?"

For a moment she blinked and then smiled showing what seemed like too many teeth to fit in a human mouth before she threw her head back and laughed. Somehow, the laugh put Harry into the mind of the deep, dark cold at the bottom of lakes and streams. Places where the dead slept and knew nothing more. Then she stopped laughing and hummed. "Oh, Little One, I do not have need of your help." Standing up, she twirled as she walked closer and then placed a hand on Harry's cheek. A shiver went through him as it felt cold and clammy. Then she yanked her hand away and blinked. "My, my, you are interesting, aren't you? Not quite a sibling, but close enough I suppose..."

Not really liking the glint in her eyes, Harry cleared his throat. "I see..."

With a hum, she sat next to him and examined him. "A shame though that I am here on business and..." Laying out, she placed a hand on her legs as her eyes became hooded. "Not pleasure. Truly such sights and experiences I could show you, Little One. But! There are others with a claim upon you. Quite saddening."

Becoming more and more uncomfortable, Harry shifted a little. "Uh, right... Sorry?"

Laughing, the young woman grinned at him. And for the first time Harry noticed that she had green eyes much like his own. "No need to be such, Little One. Your future will be interesting. Things that should have been will not not be and things that were not will. Lovely chaos I can see..." Then she straightened and crossed her legs in front of her. "But I suppose that such fun shall wait, for there are more important matters to be at hand. A fortnight ago, you saved one of the beloved of the Summer and Winter."

It took a few moments, but Harry blinked and then frowned. "You mean the Unicorn?"

Head tilting to the side, the woman had a mischivious look on her face. "Yes, I believe that is what some may call them. However, you did come and save it, did you not?" At his slow nod, her smile widened. "Ah, very good. And while the Beloved may have their own methods of payment, there are those who would like to grant thee a boon, Harry Potter, son of Lily and James."

Now really suspicious, Harry narrowed his eyes slightly. "And what sort of boon would we be speaking of?"

Giggling, she got up and seemed to sweep around him. "Ah, perhaps the wisest are fools and the most foolish are wise. Are you smart? Wise? Or a fool to ask such of me?" Coming to a stop in front of him, she leaned toward him. "But there is much that you may ask of as a boon. Perhaps information, or a gift of luck? A small token of our esteem, or a foe brought low..." Then she moved behind him and Harry felt her press her body into his back as she whispered into his ear. "Or a life of plenty and merriment. All this or more could be yours..."

When he turned though, Harry only blinked as she was no longer there. Then hearing her laugh, he looked back and found himself looking at her laying at his feet. "I... don't suppose that I can think this over...?"

Her expression tightened and she moved until their noses were nearly touching. "One should not hold onto a debt too long, Little One. Lest the debtor becomes indebted. In fact, one may consider it quite rude to do so..."

Even as his instincts screamed at him, Harry gave a shaky smile. "Ah, I see..."

Rather amused, the woman hummed a bit as she tilted her head. "Do you have a dream perhaps? A goal?"

Blinking, Harry glanced around before he decided to take a chance. "I... want to become an Admiral one day, that is my dream."

It seemed for several moments that all was quiet around them, as if all the sounds ceased and then the woman laughed. "Oh my! You are most interesting, Little One. Yes... I think that I know of a boon for you."

Suddenly, and before Harry could react, she placed one hand on top of his head and slowly dragged it down as he was frozen in place. Much to his discomfort, it felt as if a thin film was applied to his face before it vanished. Once she was done and he was able to move again, Harry blinked rapidly. "Um, what was that?"

The woman just grinned yet again. "Returning something that you were born with upon your brow in such a way that it shall never be away from you. One that would be a good thing for those who ply the seas to have. And may your feet be ever steady upon the waves you rise above."

As she stood up, something told Harry to do the same and he swallowed nervously. "Well, thank you for you gift and... I hope that you have a good day, Ma'am, in case we don't see each other again."

Once more, she grinned in a way that was too wide and held far too many teeth. "It may be for the best that we do not, Harry Potter. For as interesting as you are, and as amusing, there mayhaps be too much of such." Several minutes later, Harry glanced back at her from on top of a hill and then vanished over it. Chuckling, the woman seemed to blur into a wet horse with a mane of seaweed. A horse that then turned and dove into the Black Lake with barely a splash.
_______________________________________________________________________________

Several days later, Hermione was frowning when she stirred her cup of tea. 'I wonder where Harry is?' Quickly shaking it off, Hermione sighed and turned back into the conversation only to blink at something Hagrid said. "The Headmaster is out?"

Nodding, Hagrid poured some more tea for Ron before offering a rock cake. "Aye, tha' be about righ'. The 'Eadmaster is at some important meeting or sommat and is supposed ta get back later."

A frown on her face, Hermione furrowed her eyebrows. "Huh..."

Ron suddenly snapped his fingers and then looked up. "Oh! By the way, Charlie sent a message for you. Apparently Norbert is settling in fine in the reserve and for you not to worry... though, um, Norbert is actually Norberta seeing as he's actually a she."

That bit of information caused Hagrid to blink in surprise. "A she yeh say? Never expected tha'!"

Blowing on his tea, Ron shrugged. "He also wants to know more about the guy you got it from. Just in case he stole the egg from a reserve or something."

Just frowning, Hagrid considered that before shaking his head. "Not much ta tell, really. Got it durin' a card game down at the pub. Though... he wasn' about ta give it ter me until I told him I had experience. Why, I even told 'im about Fluffy! Seemed a bit interested."

Sipping her tea, Hermione raised an eyebrow. "He did?"

The massive man only nodded with a chuckle. "Aye, I'm thinkin' tha' he wanted ta make sure tha' I could take care for it. Told him that Fluffy was easy. Bit o' music and goes righ' ta sleep..." Having realized what he just said, Hagrid shook his head. "Shouldn' 'ave said that..."

Rolling her eyes, Hermione was about to say something when a knock at the door caused them all to turn. 'That must be Harry and Neville.'

However, instead it was the male Sixth Year Prefect who was rather out of breath. "H-Hagrid, we need some help back at the castle. Professor McGonagall... asked for you... to come up."

Confused, Hagrid furrowed his eyebrows in thought. "Asked fer me? Why?"

Even as he gulped down some air, the Prefect shook his head. "Some idiot... released a bunch of ashwinders... and used an engorgement charm... on them. Teachers and Prefects... are trying to find them all..."
Surprised, Hagrid straightened up. "I'll be righ' there." He then turned to Hermione and Ron who were packing up. "Sorry, you two, but I can' stay."

All Hermione did was shake her head before chuckling. "Can't be helped... Anyways, we'll just go and find where Harry and Neville went off to."

It went without saying that when they found Neville several minutes later that the last thing that they had expected was to find him slumped against a wall unconscious. Several shakes later, Neville awoke with a start. "What the heck!?"
Leaning down, Ron checked him over. "Uh, Mate? Why were you sleeping?"

Softly groaning, Neville held his hand against his forehead. "Ugh..." Then his eyes shot fully open as he gasped. "Harry!"

With a glance toward each other, Hermione and Ron frowned before the female of the two spoke up. "Did something happen to Harry, Neville?"

Even as the boy began to get to his feet, he nodded and then winced. "Yeah, we were walking along and there was a red light and... then you guys came and woke me up."

Narrowing her eyes, Hermione helped the brown haired boy to his feet. "A red light?"

Meanwhile, Ron was looking around the hallway. "That sounds like a stunning spell, but why would someone use that on you? And if they also hit Harry then..."

Both Hermione and Ron paled a moment before things clicked into place for Neville. "Someone kidnapped him!"

There was, really, only one response to that in the end and it came from Hermione's mouth. "Shite."

 

[darthcourt10]

sasahara17

Hey all. I'm kinda busy this week, so I can't write as much as I normally do.

-=-

USS Johnston slammed both hands down on the table, the normally jovial and eager young destroyer's face grim and serious. Hoel, Heermann and Samuel B Roberts, who were in the middle of a game of Munchkin, turned to look at their fellow Taffy member in surprise at the interruption.

"Sisters, it has come to my attention that we may have a serious problem on our hands, one that could have potentially disastrous consequences for not just us, but the entire fleet." Johnston stated bluntly.

"What is it, Johnston. P-Please don't tell me that fleet logistics is having another shortage of ice cream!" Hoel asked worriedly the poor girl shivering as horrible memories of the last time the Navy had run out of ice cream came flooding back, "I… I can still remember the last time it happened. It was horrible!"

Heermann reached over and gave her sister a comforting hug. Some Fletchers were more addicted to ice cream than others, and Hoel was one of the worst cases they had. Ice cream deprivation had hit her particularly hard, leaving scars deeper than any Samar had inflicted on the poor destroyer's soul.

Being outnumbered by the Japanese and facing down battleships, Hoel could handle. No ice cream? Now that was a horror that Hoel would not soon forget!

"No, no, no… Don't worry Hoel. Our ice cream situation is still in the green," Johnston said hastily to stop her sister from having another breakdown, "Unfortunately, while the ice cream is not a problem, we have another issue we need to urgently discuss."

"Please don't tell me it's to do with some yahoo in congress trying to get the Navy to switch coffee suppliers again," Samuel B. Roberts grumbled, "You'd think the politicians would have learned to lay off our shit after our peaceful demonstration."

"It's not the coffee either, Sammie," Johnston informed the smaller Destroyer Escort, "Besides, I don't think the President will be so forgiving if Capitol Hill caught fire again."

"It was an accident! I sneezed!" Samuel B. Roberts protested.

"And that's why we weren't court martialed… but anyway, back on point, problem," Johnston said, quickly reorienting the conversation to where she needed it to be, "Our zombie apocalypse plan is urgently out of date."

The three other ship girls turned to look at Johnston in utter shock.

"What? How can it be out of date? We just reviewed the damn thing a week ago!" Samuel B. Roberts complained, setting her cards down and folding her arms over her chest, "We incorporated contingencies for fungus zombies, mold zombies, mold mind control zombies…"

"Don't forget the plans for a Zombie Redneck Torture Family I submitted." Heermann supplied.

"…and Zombie Redneck Torture Family… zombies… so it was as up to date that we could make it. How can you say it is out of date so quickly?" Samuel B. Roberts finished.

Johnston gave a loud sigh and then held up a small, green book for her fellow tin can warships to see.

"I just received a copy of the latest edition of 'Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them' from a wizarding friend. When I was perusing it, I discovered that there is a variety of zombie in this book that we haven't properly accounted for," Quickly flipping through pages of the book towards the entry she was looking for, Johnston presented the what she had found to the other ship girls, "Behold, the Infernus. Nigh un-killable magic necromantic zombie puppets."

"Wait, what?" Samuel B. Roberts blurted out as her eyes scanned the entry in the book. "Super strength and speed? Resistant to attacks? Does not die instantly if attacked in the head?"

"That can't be right! Zombies always die when you hit them in the head." Heermann exclaimed.

"Not this one, apparently. Trust the wizards to throw us something completely out of left field," Johnston shook her head in annoyance, wondering how things had gotten so bad.

The four ship girls has initially only devised their zombie apocalypse plan as one of their many, many contingency plans. After their shared experience off Samar, the foursome had been determined to never again be caught off guard by anything, and thus had a whole host of contingency plans that would make even the most hardened prepper bow to them in respect.

Never again would they be caught unawares, by anything or anyone!

Be it nuclear war, a new ice age, global pandemics, alien invasions, the return of the dinosaurs and, of course, zombie apocalypses, Taffy 3 had a plan in place to tackle the problem. In fact, the revelation that the Wizarding World existed had resulted in one set of the plans that small gaggle of tin can destroyers had devised, namely their contingency plan for the unveiling of a global secret society that had manipulated the course of human history, being adopted and adapted by the United States Navy as their official response to a possible conflict with wizarding society. It wasn't entirely accurate since they had originally made it for an Illuminati scenario, but their contingency plan was so well thought out and detailed Naval Intelligence had taken their draft anyway and run away with it.

And Louisville had called them all crazy.

Ha.

Unfortunately, Tarry 3 couldn't rest on their laurels for too long. The discovery of the existence of the Wizarding World had resulted in a large influx of new information that resulted in the four ship girls having to revise a lot of their previous plans. The existence of magic meant that thousands of new threats and other problematic variables had to be accounted for, and this resulted in quite a bit of work for the four girls… like now.

"It's bad enough now we know zombies actually exist thanks to magic, but now we know that any random dark wizard can grab a bunch of corpses and make a nigh un-killable magic necromantic zombie puppets army with them," Johnston complained with a growl, "I thought we had the zombie apocalypse angle handled better than than our plans to lock down the San Bernadio straight... then this thing shows up."

"No shit. Doesn't die when you blow their brains out? Bullshit." Samuel B. Roberts said with a grunt.

"Does napalm work on them?" Hoel added, having recovered from her slight bout with ice cream depravation related PTSD, "If napalm still works, then we should use it. Nigh unkillable doesn't mean totally unkillable. Napalm should wipe them out well enough."

"Cleanse them with fire. Now that's an idea I can get behind," Samuel B. Roberts agreed, "Lemme contact Inazuma. See what she has to say about this."

"True. This is a huge problem," Heermann said thoughtfully as she continued to read Johnston's new book, "Should we consider this part of the zombie apocalypse scenario though? It seems like you only can make Infernus through magic, and they aren't infectious."

That caused Johnston, Samuel B. Roberts and Hoel to pause as they processed Heermann's observation.

"Huh, good point," Johnston nodded after some thought, "I may have been a little hasty in thinking the Infernus could cause a zombie outbreak. Let's put this under 'evil necromancer raises undead army to take over the world' contingency plan instead."

"Agreed." Heermann nodded, and with that slight change soon Taffy 3 was back to their planning.

-=-

A/N – Essentially, I figured that one possible interpretation of Taffy 3 could be disaster preppers. After getting completely blindsided at Samar, the tin can warships declare 'NEVER AGAIN'. Thus, they get a hobby of devising plans to counter every conceivable disaster that could possibly come their way.

Although they were initially thought to be eccentric, and a tad bit paranoid, children, the revelation that the Magical world exists results in several of their more fantastical plans suddenly becoming very relevant to the Navy's interests.

What is the US Military's MO if a Dragon suddenly showed up in New York and started breathing fire on everything? Taffy 3 had a plan for that. What should the US Navy do if invisible, teleporting assassins attempted to decapitate the chain of command in a surprise attack? Taffy 3 had a plan for that as well. What about giant robot doom lobsters that shoot laser beams? Taffy 3 hasn't see one yet, but they've scrounged up enough depth charges to sink the entire U-Boat service in case they ever had to face a doom lobster that shot laser beams.

What if there was a secret society, an entirely separate government, operating inside the borders of the United States of America? What if that separate society was to reveal itself to the United States and integrate itself into the Federal government? How would America deal with that transition? By golly, you mean to say Taffy 3 had a draft contingency for that too?

Tin cans be brilliant! Huzzah!

Things naturally go on from there as Taffy 3's 'ridiculous' plans all suddenly become very real possibilities. Dragons, teleporting wizard assassins, doom lobsters (okay maybe not this one, but there are other sea monsters out there)… who knows what else the Wizarding World has that could pose a threat to the US of A? Thank goodness someone came up with plans before this!

Whelp, that's it for this snippet. I hope you all enjoyed it. Cheers.

 

[darthcourt10]

Harry Leferts

Kind of rough, but...
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Slightly panicked, Neville gulped a little as he looked around. "So we should go and find a teacher then?"

Pinching the bridge of her nose between her fingers as she thought and talked with her crew, Hermione finally shook her head with a sigh. "No, because we might not have the time to search for them. If we come across a teacher, sure, but we might not be able to find them in time."

Confused, the brown haired boy looked between his red haired friend and Hermione. "Wait, why not?"

Ron grunted a little bit. "Someone let loose a bunch of ashwinders that they made bigger with magic. The teachers are looking all over the place for them."

When Neville looked towards her, Hermione grimaced. "Um... according to Hogwarts: A History, there used to be a annual play here at Hogwarts until 1939, when Professor Kettleburn used an Ashwinder that he had used an engorgement charm on as the worm in play of 'The Fountain of Fair Fortune'... it kind of exploded, set fire to the entire Great Hall, and sent a large number of the staff and students to the Hospital Wing."

Utter silence met her as both Ron and Neville stared at her. Then both wizards shared a look before the red head nodded. "Yeah... so I don't think that we can count on the teachers for help..."

Frowning, Hermione took a deep breath. "Especially if all we got as proof is that Neville was knocked out... no offense." Then she began to chew her lip a bit. "What we need though is a way to find Harry as we look for the teachers... but-"

A hissing sound caused her to turn to see a fattened Shiromizu slither the best that she could with a bulge in her body. The white snake then let out a belch that sent sparks and smoke from her mouth. "{Ugh... that's the last time I eat something that big in this form...}" Hearing a gasp, she blinked at the sight of Hermione rushing over. "{Hmm?}"

Once she reached her, Hermione crouched down. "Shiromizu, can you understand me?"

The snake just gave her a look that said quite a bit of what she thought the shipgirl's intelligence was before bobbing her head. "{Of course I can understand you.}"

Blinking, Hermione shook her head. "Right... I can't understand you... anyways, we need your help! Harry's missing and we need to find him, ASAP!" She then pointed at Neville. "He was knocked out and we can guess that Harry was as well. Can you help us find him? Harry said that your sense of smell is great."

In reply, Shiromizu only shot forward and within less then a second was perched on Hermione's shoulders. "{What are we waiting for!?}" Her tongue flicking out a bit, she turned her head and pointed with her tail. "{He went that way!}"

With a frown on her face, Hermione blinked. "I take it that Harry went that way?" At the look she got, the shipgirl winced a bit. "Right... heading that way."

As she passed though, she glanced at her pant leg in time to see some of her fairies fall out and then scramble off as Ron and Neville were distracted in rushing down the corridor. Sure, they might not run into any of the teachers on their way to wherever, but that did not mean that her fairies would not. Several minutes later though, she was thankful for her foresight as she stared at the door in front of them. "The third floor corridor..."

Eyes widening, Ron turned to her with a pale expression. "If you were going to hide some place with someone..."

Even as they could hear the music inside cease, Neville gulped at the growl. "Then go hiding someplace no one would look or it would be hard to check..."

When Hermione pulled out a flute, Ron stared at her. "What the heck are you doing?"

Glancing at him, she gave a weak smile. "I'm going after them, Harry's a friend and would do the same for any of us after all."

Ron glanced at Neville who looked terrified, but nodded. "Okay, but we're going with you."

With a final nod, Hermione brought the flute to her lips and began a small ditty as they waited for the growls inside to subside before heading in.
____________________________________________________________

Grimacing at a head splitting headache, Harry took a slow breath before he opened his eyes barely as it felt like his body was bound. The last thing he remembered was a red light and then nothing. As he glanced around though, he internally frowned as he was in some sort of class room and he could hear mutters. It was then that he could see someone standing in front of a mirror before the mutters stopped. "Ah, I see that our... guest... is now awake."

Another, more familiar voice then spoke up. "Don't bother faking it, Potter."

Just grunting, Harry opened his eyes fully only to boggle at the sight that met him. "Professor Quirrel?"

Slowly smiling in a way that was not friendly at all, Quirrel chuckled. "Surprised, Potter? That p-p-poor old s-s-stu-stuttering P-Professor Q-Quirrel is here?" Then his smile dropped. "Don't be. In fact, if my Master did not have need of you right now, I'd kill you this time now that you don't have any of those... beings here to catch you."

Eyes widening, the pieces clicked into place. "It was you who was messing with my broom!"

Humming, Quirrel just raised an eyebrow in amusement. "My, my, you should be in Ravenclaw with that mind. A shame though that Snape tried to stop me with the countercurse, if not for that..." At seeing Harry's hand move, he smirked. "And don't look for those papers of yours, I already took all the ones that you had." Raising a hand, Quirrel looked at an ofuda with a scowl. "Such... nasty little things you have." Suddenly, it caught fire and burned to ash. "No matter."

As his eyes tracked the ashes floating down, Harry tried to ignore both the ache in his scar and the lump in his throat. "How..."

Moments later, he was hauled to his feet by Quirrel who glared at him with a snarl. "After seeing them first hand, boy, I would be a fool to let you have them."

Remembering how Quirrel had looked for several days like he had been sunburned, Harry gave a small smirk. "So... Spell accident, hmm?"

In response, Quirrel's expression darkened and he threw Harry to the side. "Remember, you are only alive because my Master has need of you right now."

Coughing from where he laid, Harry grimaced a bit at the pain in his back. "Considering that you already said that you are going to kill me anyways... I'm not going to help you or Voldemort."

Eyes wide, Quirrel growled at him. "Do not speak his name!" Then he scowled as he turned. "You shall not sully it with those lips." Walking up to the mirror, Quirrel examined his reflection in it. "As to living... as long as you have use, you shall live. And then, when my Master does not need you anymore, then I shall end you for him. So do try to be of use."

From a distance away, there was a boom and they both turned towards a door with Harry blinking. 'What was that?'
______________________________________________________________________________

Looking between the keys flying above and the brooms, Hermione groaned. "Don't tell me..."

Meanwhile, Ron scratched his head with a grimace. "Right... this is going to be tough..." Shaking his head, Ron let out a sigh. "Wish that Harry was here, this would be perfect for him." Then he noticed Hermione striding towards the door. "What are you doing?"

Her hand coming up, Hermione rapped the door with the back of her hand. "Testing something." Rapping her knucked against various other points, she tried to unlock the door with a spell, only for nothing to happen. "Hmm... the spell is on the lock, not on the door..."

Walking up, Neville examined it and then the keys flying above them. "Guess that we need to... go flying, huh?"

A soft sigh though caused him to turn towards Hermione who shook her head. "I didn't want to reveal this, but... guess we got no choice. Neville, move away from the door."

Confused, Neville could see realization on Ron's face as Hermione began to take deep breaths. "Uh, what-" Then he scrambled away as motes of light gathered around Hermione's form, forming into shipgirl rigging. "What the hell!?"

On Hermione's face there was an apologetic look. "Um, yeah... I'm a shipgirl..." Mouth working, but nothing coming out, the brown haired wizard just stared. It was then that Hermione noticed that Ron was just rolling his eyes. "Ron?"

Shrugging, Ron cleared his throat. "Yeah... me and Harry both knew about this."

Now it was Hermione's turn to be shocked. "It's Harry and I... wait, you knew!?" Ron slowly nodded which caused Hermione to stare at him for a few seconds. "How long...?"

Embarrassed, Ron scratched the back of his head. "Um... since before Christmas?" Seeing her expression, he chuckled weakly. "You, uh... weren't really fooling anyone who knows shipgirls, Hermione... not really." When he spotted her eyebrow twitching, he winced. "Sorry?"

With a deep breath, Hermione then let it out. "No, nevermind that." Turning towards the door, she shoved her fingers into the doorframe with ease. "We'll deal with that once we got to Harry."

Before Neville's astonished eyes, Hermione proceeded to practically rip the door, frame and all, from the wall. He was about to say something when Ron grabbed him and began to pull him towards the door. "RUN!"

A simple glance back showed Neville all he needed to know as the keys had stopped mid-flight and were now aimed at them. The three of them had just gotten through the door when Hermione slammed it back into place, the keys striking the other side. Weakly smiling, Hermione shrugged a bit. "Whoops?"

It was then that they spotted the room that they were in was a giant chess set which they walked across, only to stop when the Pawns at the other side pulled their swords out of sheaths and crossed them. Looking towards a exasperated Hermione, Ron blinked. "Don't think that you could just, you know, blast them?"

The chess pieces looked slightly insulted at that, even as Hermione shook her head. "My guns are too powerful, Ron. I fire them in here and both you and Neville... well, it won't be pretty for either of you."

Sighing, Ron only shook his head as he began to walk back to the other side. "Nothing for it, I guess."

Just following, Hermione raised her eyebrow. "You're not seriously going to play a game, are you?"

In reply, Ron gestured with his head at the door. "Unless you can keep both the pieces off us while opening that door." When she didn't say anything, he grunted. "Yeah... pretty much."
_____________________________________________________________________

Having waited for several moments, Quirrel finally just grunted before turning back to the mirror. "Now how to get it... I see myself giving the Stone to Master, but not where!"

A frown on his face, Quirrel continued to gaze into the mirror, not seeing Harry's eyes widen as it all clicked as to why he would want a stone. 'He's... after the Philosopher's Stone!?'

Growling, Quirrel clenched a fist. "It may be a good thing that Dumbledore is gone, but all the time and tries in the world does not help if there's no way to succeed!"

Simply laying where he was, Harry did his best to come up with a way out when a voice spoke up. "Use the boy, you fool. We don't have much time despite what you may think."

With a scowl, Quirrel turned towards Harry and snarled. "Guess that we shall be needing your help after all, Potter. Congratulations."

Gesturing with his hand, Harry shot off the ground and came to rest by the mirror as the breath was knocked out of him. Sucking in a breath as he was hauled to his feet, Harry glared best that he could at Quirrel. "What the blue blistering barnacles do you think that I can do!?"

For several moments, the teacher glared at him before snorting. "Dumbledore has obviously trained you going by the magic that you used in the forest. Or the other wandless magic that I have seen you use."

It took a moment, but Harry realized that he had seen him practicing onmyodo. 'He... thinks that I learned that from Dumbledore?'

Before he could do anything else though, Quirrel shoved him forward. "Now... what do you see?! Where is the Stone!?"

Harry was then shoved in front of the mirror and blinked at his reflection. Then, before his eyes, the reflection aged until it was an adult version of himself in a JMSDF uniform with the rank insignia of an Admiral. On one side of him, a proud looking Nagato stood, but on the other... the sight of his birth parents also looking at him in pride caused his breath to catch. 'I... is this...?'

The view then expanded and Harry could see Shinano, Iku, Louisiana, and other shipgirls there, all clustered around him with similar happy looks. All the normally teenaged shipgirls though looked like they were twenty. Also at his side was an adult Natsumi with two tails behind her as she stood there in her Miko clothing. Suddenly though, Harry was snapped back to the present as Quirrel grabbed his shoulder and jerked him, his voice a hiss. "What. Do. You. See. Potter!?"

Almost distracted by another fact, Harry swallowed a bit as he continued to think. 'I can't let him get the Stone! I need to keep it out of his hands.' Outwardly, he spoke up. "I... see myself, when I'm, older. I'm an Admiral and Mum is there as I'm being presented an award."

In the mirror, his reflection winked at him before pulling a red stone from his pocket. Letting it catch the light, he dropped it back into said pocket. Meanwhile, in the real world, Harry could feel a weight drop into his pocket as Quirrel threw him to the side. "Useless!"

Wincing, Harry just closed his eyes as he concentrated and felt his finger tips heat up as he tried to create a flame like Ryuujou and Junyou had taught him. It took a moment, but he could feel the flame form and then start burning through the ropes as he moved it along his body out of sight. Just about free, he froze as that whispering voice spoke again. "He lies... the boy saw something!"

Face red, Quirrel whipped around with a glare. "What did you see!?"

Suddenly he stopped as the voice spoke up again. "Let me... speak to him..."

Eyes wide, Quirrel gulped. "B-but Master, your strength-"

He was cut off and he shuddered as if in pain as the voice spoke again. "I... have strength enough for this... Now let me speak to him." In reply, Quirrel turned around and unwrapped his turban. Once it fell away though, Harry felt sick to his stomach as there was a face in the back of the teacher's head. It was deathly pale with two red eyes and a skull-like nose. "Harry Potter... we meet at last. Do you now see what you have done to me? I am a being of mere shadow and vapor, who has form only when sharing the body of another."

Narrowing his eyes, Harry snorted a bit. 'Just got to buy time and keep him talking...' A slight smirk crossed his face that some would have said resembled Kaga's. "Well, from what I heard you were always a boil on society."

For a brief moment, the red eyes widened before they narrowed in a glare. "Do not be a fool, boy. I am feeling rather merciful and if you wish to live, you will join me, Harry Potter. After all, there is no real good or evil in this world, merely power and those willing to use it. And it is best to live under me..." Voldemort then curled his lip a bit. "Then to die like your parents, begging for their miserable lives."

That hit Harry in the stomach, but instead of making him cave, it instead made Harry pissed and he gave the possessed teacher a glare that was similar to the ones his mother might give an Abyssal. "Firstly, living under you? Lewd. Secondly... My parents died on their feet with honor, something that you know nothing about." Then Harry smirked. "And my birth Mum kicked your pale, inbred ass."

Around them, the world seemed to pause before Voldemort snarled. "So be it... SEIZE HIM!"

Quirrel turned around and went to grab Harry, only for the ropes surrounding him to give way at the last moment with the eleven year old's arm shooting out. Before he could react, Harry punched him in the throat and grabbed his extended arm in a flip. Then Harry was running for the door, only for the hairs on the back of his neck to raise and for him to dive to the side at the last second.

Which was a good thing as a bolt of light hit the door and detonated, sending flames everywhere. "POTTER!"

Just wincing as another blast hit the pillar that he was behind, Harry hissed a bit. 'Great... now he's pissed off... any kamis that may be listening, please let someone show up any time now!'
________________________________________________________________________________

Looking away from the dead toll, even as it tried to move the with anchor chain around it's legs and body, Hermione took a deep breath. "A zombie troll... lovely, just lovely. What's next..." She then looked upwards. "And that was not an invitation."

More then a little wierded out, Neville looked at her. "Who the heck are you talking to?"

However, to his surprise it wasn't Hermione who answered but Ron. "She's talking to Murphy, though now that she's called on him..." As he glanced at the troll though, he shuddered. "Inferi... why would someone make a troll into an inferi!?"

All Hermione did though was shake her head as Shiromizu flicked her tongue out. "Who knows... but we need to keep going." Walking through the next door though, she blinked at the room which had a table with several potions on it. 'Odd...' Hermione though held a hand up to block the other two. "After the last room... let me go first."

She had not gotten far though before flames shot up behind her splitting her off from Ron and Neville, and then other colored flames shot up just beyond the table. Very slowly, Shiromizu turned to her and let out a hiss. "{You just had to ask the kami to do something, didn't you?}"

With a blink, Hermione sighed a little bit and pinched her nose. "Maybe it's for the best that I don't understand you..." Still shaking her head, she walked up to the table and began to examine it. "Hmm..."

One of ther fairies then chose to pop up on her shoulder and also examine it. "Oi? Oi! Oi oi oi oi oi oi oi!"

That caused Hermione to just stare at him before turning to the potions on the table with a thoughtful look. "Huh... you're right. It is like Alice in Wonderland, though hopefully there's not an opium smoking caterpillar around..." Leaning forward, she examined the potions in front of her before blinking. "Clever."

Scratching it's head, the fairy on her shoulder frowned. "Oi?"

Even as she chuckled, Hermione gestured at the bottles. "None of this besides the obvious is magic, it's all logic! And wizards as a whole don't have a lot of logic, so they'd be stuck here forever." It seemed like hours, but was only a few minutes before she pointed at the smallest bottle. "Okay, that one will let someone go forward, and... that one." Hermione pointed at another. "Will let someone go back."

Arms crossed against it's chest, the fairy nodded some even as it noticed Shiromizu slither onto the table. "Oi?"

Grimacing, Hermione had to nod. "You're right, it might not work for me. But... maybe some of you guys? Though that does leave me having to go back and explain things to Ron and Neville, so that they don't need to worry..." The clink of glass caused her to slowly turn and her eyes to widen as Shiromizu gulped down the potion to go forward before dropping the bottle and lunging forward, into the flames. "DAMMIT!"

Meanwhile, Shiromizu just continued to rush through the fire, ignoring how it tickled her sides. 'I'm coming, Harry!'
_________________________________________________________________________

Having been grabbed around the neck by Quirrel, Harry could only wince in agony as it felt like his skull was splitting open, but at the same time he could hear the older man doing the same. Pulling away, Quirrel stared at his hands where the skin was starting to blacken while he whimpered. "M-my hands.. M-Master..."

With a snarl, Voldemort continued to shout. "THEN USE YOUR MAGIC, YOU FOOL! KILL HIM AND BE DONE WITH IT!"

In his dazed state, Harry could see Quirrel raise his want as he began to cast. "AVADA-"

Right then, in that moment, the image of Nagato flashed across his mind, soon followed by Hoppou, Wanko, Shinano, Iku, and the others. And one thought settled into Harry's pain filled mind. A thought that gave him the strength to reach out and grab his former teacher around the neck and onto his face even through the pain it caused him.

He was going to see his family again and he was not going to die here. Not in this place, and not this time. Slowly, using the images of his loved ones to push past the pain, Harry ignored how his voice had joined Quirrel's and Voldemort's in their screams of agony. For some odd reason, a small part of him wondered why someone was burning pork as he pushed back against the weight above him.

Eventually, Harry managed to get to his feet and then give his teacher a shove, which caused them to stumble apart. As he blinked away the spots in his vision and the darkness around the edges, Harry froze as he could now see Quirrel. The teacher's skin had turned black as if charred and, even now, Harry could see it turning grey as smoke wafted upwards from it. With a stumble, Quirrel raised one arm towards Harry and tried to reach for him...

Only for said arm to crumble to dust as it fell apart under it's own weight.

Then one of Quirrel's legs gave way followed by the other. At the same time, part of his head also caved in on itself, steam and smoke issuing from the hole. Making an odd, almost sigh, Quirrel fell forward and practically burst into smoking ash even as Harry fell back against the stairs in shock as the black cloud at the edges of his vision crept towards the center. 'He... he just... he's...'

Unable to tear his eyes from what remained of something that was once a human being, one could forgive Harry for missing the hissing sound. But then he noticed some of the ashes moving until they burst upwards into a cloud that was roughly human shaped with two glowing red eyes. "POTTTTER!"

Collapsing against the stairs, Harry found himself unable to move as he began to lose the battle against unconsciousness. 'So... this is how it ends... sorry, Mum... Hoppou... guys...'

His last sight was the shade of Voldemort lunging towards him only for it to be blocked by something white. "YOU GET AWAY FROM HIM YOU SON OF A BITCH!"

Just before the darkness claimed him, Harry internally chuckled as one last thought crossed his mind. 'That... sounded like Shiromizu...'

Externally, Voldemort's shade gaped at the sight of the half human, half snake woman that was glaring at him in a way that promised pain. "What-"

Then Shiromizu lunged for him with one hand outstretched. "I'M GOING TO RIP YOU APART YOU BASTARD!"

Normally, anything that tried to grab the shade would have gone right through it. After all, it was a being of smoke and shadows, something both less then and more then a ghost. Insubstantial at best.

An absolutely pissed off Shiromizu was not one of those things as she grabbed him and yanked him towards her only to punch him through what was his head. As it reformed, she swung the spirit around and brought it down onto the unforgiving tiled floor. Upon impact, Voldemort's shade burst apart like a water balloon as the smoke it was made up of scattered. Even as the shade reformed, it was met with the serpent woman's tail heading right for it and smacking it to the side even as chunks were ripped from the main mass. Sure, Shiromizu could not kill him in such a state. Nor could she actually harm him...

But it did hurt him with each blow as if it was physically harming him.

It went without saying that after a few blows from the enraged Shiromizu, he took the first chance to escape that he could and rushed through a crack in the wall near the door. Breathing heavily, Shiromizu glared at it hatefully, her eyes glowing before they turned to Harry and they widened. "No..." Rushing over, she slumped down and placed her ear against his chest before she sighed in relief. "He's alive... he's alive, thank the kami..."

Gently, Shiromizu gathered him into her arms and held him close as she sniffled and buried her nose in his hair. Then, unable to help herself, a sob escaped from her followed by another and then another as she started to rock him back and forth. "I'm sorry, Harry... I am so, so sorry that I wasn't there..."

Sobbing as she was, and her anger drained away, Shiromizu did not notice the door open to reveal a winded Dumbledore and Hermione as they caught sight of her. Not that she would have cared much as she continued to hold her best friend and someone she had come to care for as a brother close. Later, she would get angry at herself and everything. But right now?

Right now the only thing on her mind was that Harry was safe.

"I'm so sorry."

 

[darthcourt10]

Harry Leferts

Inside the modified emergency life pod, there was a rapid tapping sound as Regina waited in front of the computer screen. On the screen were the words stating it was trying to connect a Skype call, but nothing was happening. As it continued, Regina bit her lip and looked outside the small window to the outside where it was early morning on the Timor Sea. She could just see the small, elevated rig where the satellite dishes and such were as it stood in the lagoon. Around it, there were rocks acting as a seawall to protect it from any waves that washed across the lagoon.

Regina could still remember how, shortly after their group of Abyssals had ceased hostilities, that Wanko had asked for a way to communicate with the humans. The Abyssal Princess had understood that the humans would not have felt comfortable with meeting her face to face every time. And so, the humans had set up a satellite coms for her. Which, unfortunately, had one side effect that they had not expected.

Mainly that it had given the Abyssals access to the internet.

Within weeks, they had gotten word from the Timor Sea Abyssals that the connection they had could not keep up with the amount of Abyssals that wanted to use it. Some of them wanted to play games (there was a rivalry currently going on between those Abyssals on World of Warships and the shipgirls on the same). Others wanted to read stories and some were just fascinated by various videos they saw on YouTube. Needless to say, it had caught the humans and shipgirls by surprise. But rather then cut off access, they set it up so that the Abyssals could more fully experience human society. The fact that it made it easier to interact with them was something that all appreciated.

However, more important to some of them was that they could now talk with those they met up in Yokosuka. Before Harry had gone to Hogwarts, Wanko had talked with him and Hoppou rather often. And more recently, Supply Depot Princess had used the connection to talk with Ooyodo as well as Naka and Ashigara. Granted, the last two were mainly for music. Regina though used it to talk with Shinano and Louisiana and, once a week, she would contact Harry for at least an hour to chat.

A fact which brought to mind the current issue that for some odd reason, Harry had not shown. Hours later, Regina was still waiting for him to contact her and was slowly becoming more and more nervous until she finally sighed and hung her head with a sniffle. 'He... he isn't going to talk to me, is he?' Biting her lip, she crossed her legs under her even as her tail nuzzled her cheek. 'Did... did I say something to him that made him angry? Did something happen? O-or is it because I'm an Abyssal and he realized that... I-I'm not really that liked? O-or is he afraid of me?'

Swallowing, Regina quickly disconnected the Skype call from her end and took a deep breath before making another. Like the first, there were several minutes except this one connected and Shinano's face could be seen on the other side. Said Carrier blinked a bit at the Abyssal on the other end. "Regina-Chan...?"

Quickly nodding, Regina glanced around. "S-Shinano, I was trying to c-call Harry, b-but he didn't answer. I... I don't know why because we were, um, supposed to talk with each other today and..." Having spotted the flinch, Regina blinked only to notice that Shinano's eyes were slightly red. "S-Shinano... Were you crying?"

Upon seeing Shinano look down, something inside of Regina felt colder then the deepest abyss. "Um, yes... R-Regina-Chan?" Hanging her head, Shinano looked down at her feet. "About Harry-Chan... something... something happened at his school."

Feeling as if her boilers had dropped and were now in her hooves, Regina let out an odd noise. "Something happened... to Harry? I-is he okay?"

Shinano shook her head a little bit. "N-no, he's not." Reaching up, she wiped at her eyes some. "He was attacked by someone who tried to kill him. A-and now he's in a coma-"

Not known to her, every Abyssal in the lagoon suddenly shuddered and looked around as the feeling of death walking over their wrecks washed over them. Meanwhile, Shinano was cut off as Regina spoke. "Someone tried... to kill Harry..." Fingers that could tear apart armor plating clenched tightly and Shinano looked up to see Regina's eyes glowing blood red as blue flames leaked from the sides and her voice changed. "Tell me who it is so that I can rip out their still beating heart and choke them with it before I tear out the spine that they should no longer need and hang them on it..."

Eyes wide, a small whine came from Shinano's throat as Regina looked utterly terrifying at that moment, which was not helped that flames were also leaking from the mouth on her tail. It was only the fact that her rage was pointed at the people who hurt Harry which made Shinano less frightened. Another thing that helped was that Shinano could see what looked like bloody tears prickling at the corners of Regina's eyes. "T-the man that killed his parents and... a teacher at his school. The teacher who did it is dead though..."

Breathing heavily through the rage and hate that rushed through her fuel lines, Regina fought to control herself. "Good..." Moments later, she shuddered a little as rage receeded. "G-good..."

Then she looked to the east and was silent for a minute or two and all the Abyssals in the Timor Sea felt an even greater source of rage become apparent. However, that was unknown to Shinano who cleared her throat. "Regina-Chan...?" Whipping her head around, Regina shuddered and Shinano could see one, ruby tear of blood run over the pale skin of the Abyssal's cheek. "Oh, Regina-Chan..."

Swallowing, Regina took a deep breath. "S-Shinano... I just told Lady Wanko about what happened..." That got a wince from the Aircraft Carrier who could remember how Hoppou had reacted. "She's bring both Revina and m-myself with her. W-we need to see Harry and... protect him..."

With a frown, Shinano chewed her lip before she nodded. "Some of us are going to go and..." She looked to the side thoughtfully. "One of the wizards, Dumbledore was coming to pick us up with a Portkey. I... If you stay there for a little bit, we might be able to convince him to pick you up. T-that way you don't need to spend several days coming here first..."

Blinking away the tears still prickling at the corners of her eyes, Regina nodded. "T-thank you..."

All Shinano did was nod. "You're welcome... you're a very good friend after all, Regina-Chan... I got to go now but I'll contact you once I know more..."

Once the call was disconnected, Regina just stared at the screen. "You're a good friend too... Shinano. Like Harry..."

Granted, she still wanted to brutally murder something at that moment.
_________________________________________________________________________

Sighing, Richardson rubbed his face at the other end of the call. "Let me get this straight... Harry got attacked and kidnapped by the man who killed his parents. Who it seems was possessing a teacher? But the teacher went along willingly. Am I understanding this correctly?"

Just grunting, Goto leaned back in his chair and rubbed the side of his head. "Yes."

For a moment, Richardson considered this before shaking his head. "They're not reacting well to this, are they?"

That got a dry laugh from Goto as he shook his head. "No they really aren't. Nagato found out an hour ago from McGonagall herself as Dumbledore is trying to figure out what exactly happened. Which means, of course, the rest of the base found out soon after."

Pinching the bridge of his nose, Richardson let out an explosive breath at that. "Christ. How bad?"
Goto hummed for several moments as if considering before he shrugged. "At least half want to head out to hunt down Voldemort and kill him, another half wants to head to Hogwarts and protect Harry. And another half wants to head to Hogwarts, protect Harry, and perform a search of the area for Voldemort in order to kill him. I've already had to stop several attempts at getting to the airport to board some planes from those who have leave."

Only shaking his head, Richardson could only feel pity for his fellow Admiral. "I don't envy you... though I know that I'll have to be dealing with my own issues here. Jane is going to want to go to make sure her 'Cousin' is alright, Mutsu will be beside herself and... I really am not looking forward to how Arizona is going to react to someone she knows having been jumped and nearly killed in a sneak attack. Fuck..." He sighed with a grimace. "I don't want to think about what their reactions would have been if it was Jane instead of Harry. Hell, I want to strangle something."

Darkly laughing, Goto nodded. "You're not the only one, John. One of ours has been hurt and we all want blood to be paid." Then he frowned. "Though I am thankful that things have settled down since I stated that I would be sending a force to Hogwarts to keep an eye over Harry."

Considering that, Richardson frowned a bit but nodded. "So who are you sending then?"

In reply, Goto held up one hand. "It was something of a fight among them, but..." He began to tick off on his fingers. "Nagato as well as Hoppou, of course. The last I am not going to be keeping here while her 'Big Brother' is hurt badly."

While nodding, Richardson let out a grunt. "That would be wise. I would not want an Abyssal Installation running around with a temper tantrum because she was not allowed to go and make sure a family member was okay."

Rolling his eyes, Goto snorted. "The thought did occur to me... Besides them, Shinano and Lousiana are also going." At the look, Goto shrugged. "Louisana made a good point that she is not ready for the open sea yet, but she is able to protect Harry. Shinano... made the argument that she's not needed for at least two weeks until her turn comes up in rotation for patrols. Hamakaze and Isokaze are also going as they would not take no for an answer... And RO."

That last one caused Richardson's eyebrows to raise a bit. "RO? Why her if I may ask? I would have thought that the others would be arguing over it."

A shudder passed through Goto as he shook his head. "The others did. But you ever see a pissed off U-Boat?" When Richardson shook his head, Goto grimaced. "I did, she silenced them with a look. The only one that she might take with her is Maruyu depending on when she shows up. Mainly because Maruyu is army and so can handle herself well out of the water."

Leaning back, Richardson considered this and then nodded. "That... makes a lot of sense." Hearing a ding, he looked to see Goto groan and facepalm on the other end of the call. "Something happen?"

Slowly shaking his head, Goto sighed. "When doesn't something happen?" Ignoring the snort of amusement, the Japanese Admiral continued. "Apparently Wanko now knows and wants to head out with Regina and Revina. And I know that she won't take no for an answer. Kami... I almost pity Dumbledore now."

Richardson raised an eyebrow. "What about if this Voldemort tries again?"

All of a sudden, Goto grinned in a manner that was rather bloodthirsty. "I almost hope that he does and the thought of what might happen to him is something that is about the only thing that is not making me do something else."

Just looking at the clock, Richardson grimaced. "Anyways, if you need any help, just contact me. Right now, I need to go and talk with Jane and I'm going to need all the luck that I can get there..."

 

[darthcourt10]

Harry Leferts

Madam Pomfrey sighed as she continued to sort the various potions in her cabinet while internally thinking. A lot of people seemed to think that her job consisted of just waving a wand or shoving a potion down a throat. But it was actually so much more then that. She had to know how each spell or potion worked on the human body, the dosages needed in terms of potions, which spells and at what power they were needed. And then there was the paperwork as well and keeping track which of her stored potions were still good and which needed to be disposed of.

All in all, a mostly thankless task which contributed to her no nonsense attitude at times.

It certainly did not help all the things that she had seen over the years involving what young wizards and witches could get up to while learning magic. Or experimenting with it, as that lead to problems more often then not. There was a very good reason why when she walked into Saint Mungos she was given instant respect. And it was not due to her experiences during the War.

Suddenly hearing footsteps hurrying towards the Hospital Wing, Madam Pomfrey glanced towards the black haired boy laying on one of the beds. Only shaking her head, she made her way toward the door with a sigh. 'It seems, Mister Potter, that your popularity is going to get you some more visitors.' Walking up to the door, she waited until she knew that the people on the other side were about to open the door and put on her best "Annoyed Medical professional" expression on and opened it. "May I help you..."

Looking straight ahead into a sweater covering a stomach, Poppy blinked before slowly tilting her head back to see an Abyssal staring down at her. Besides a slight widening of the eyes, Pomfrey's expression didn't truly change much. Clearing her throat, she raised an eyebrow as she took a deep breath. 'If I am going to die then...' Poppy then pursed her lips. "I ask again, may I help you?"

Part of Wanko was rather bemused by the much smaller human staring up at her with a level glare, but another part of her was scanning the room. "Where is... Little Brother..."

That caused Poppy to frown a little bit. "Little Brother...?"

Before she could really ask though, a white blur shot between Wanko's and her legs and turning, she could see a small, white haired girl running until she spotted Harry. Then she made a beeline for the bed. "Big Brother...?" Not getting a response, she gently shook him. "B-Big Brother? Wake up, Hoppou wants to talk to you..."

A throat clearing caused Pomfrey to turn back in time to see Dumbledore poking his head out beside Wanko. "Ah, Poppy, there's several members of Mister Potter's family here to see him."

Slowly glancing up at Wanko's face and then over at Hoppou who looked nearly in tears, Pomfrey sighed. "I see... very well then. Do keep it down just in case I receive any other patients. Or else I shall see you all out if you disturb them."

Glaring at her, Wanko only received back a even look before the Mediwitch turned and began to walk towards a cabinet. 'Brave... or foolish...'

However, her attention was caught by Hoppou and she strode over to the bedside and looked down at the boy there. Unconscious and pale, he looked so much smaller then normal. At both the sight of him laying there and Hoppou trying desperately to wake him up, Wanko once more had to shove the down the feelings of pure rage. It would not do to let them loose here. Especially, she reminded herself, when she had other duties as Hoppou looked up at her and over at Nagato who also entered the infirmary. "Big Sister... Mommy... why won't Big Brother wake up?"

With a deep breath as the sight of her son laying there affected her, Nagato crouched down and placed her hand onto Hoppou's shoulder. "Harry is... in a coma, Hoppou." At her blink, she continued. "Think of it as being a very, very deep sleep that one needs to wake up from on their own." Then Nagato glanced towards Pomfrey who was watching and frowned. "He will be waking up soon, won't he?"

The Mediwitch only nodded as she smiled slightly. "No later then a week from yesterday, I would think. His magical exhaustion is the worst aspect of it all."

Nodding as she took that in, the Battleship stood up as Hoppou climbed onto the bed and then laid down beside Harry best that she could. "Would it be an issue if some of my medical fairies looked over your files?" Seeing her slowly raising eyebrow, Nagato continued. "That way they can add it to our files back at the base."

After a glance at Dumbledore who nodded, Pomfrey sighed. "Very well, give me a moment or two and I shall retrieve the notes I made."

Each of the shipgirls who overheard that only blinked and looked at each other in utter confusion. 'Notes?'

Meanwhile, Hamakaze walked up to Harry and stroked his head before sitting down. "Rest, Harry-San. We'll watch over you during your time of healing."

Taking up a spot where she could easily cover the door, Isokaze nodded. "Yup, no one is going to be able to come in here and hurt you. Not with us around."

When Pomfrey came out though, she had to blink at the sight that met her. Two of the girls that had come in had swimsuits of all things and the tanned one was talking to one who had a swimming mask on top of her head. That was not what was the most surprising part though. The smaller of the two was placing a sword of some kind beside her while also pulling out guns and showing them to the other and then putting them away when the taller one shook her head. One Pomfrey recognized as a muggle shotgun of some sort, another was a rather large handgun, which the taller girl nodded and took. Then both Pomfrey's and the taller girl's eyes widened as a massive gun bigger then both girls were pulled out.

Deciding not to say anything, Pomfrey turned towards the bed as her ears caught part of the conversation. "... It's a Browning..."

As she walked towards the group by the bed, she tried to ignore how one of the Abyssals had a massive tail laying across Harry's legs. However, next to her one of the two tallest of the seemingly normal looking girls had an arm around the Abyssal's shoulders. Due to her experience though, Pomfrey knew that said shipgirl, or at least what she assumed was one, was only barely holding it together herself. Walking up to Nagato though, Pomfrey held out the sheet of parchment to her. "Here's my notes on Mister Potter's current condition."

Nagato blinked for a moment and then took the small sheet of parchment before setting it down on the table. Within seconds, some of her medical fairies were out and looking at the notes while she could tell they wanted to say something. However, they kept it quiet. "Thank you, Madam Pomfrey for this. It's much appreciated."

Only nodding, Pomfrey turned when she heard a sniffle and blinked as one of the tall girls, this one with brown hair, cleared her throat. "Doc, what happened to his hands?"

Despite some annoyance at being called a doctor, Pomfrey shoved it down and looked to where Harry's hands were tightly wrapped up. After a moment's thought, she turned towards Nagato and frowned. "Would you like me to explain Mister Potter's injuries or..."

Shaking her head, Nagato grimaced. "No, we're all close to Harry so it would be best to inform us all here and now."

Just using a few seconds to gather her thoughts, Madam Pomfrey hummed. "Well, the major isssue that Mister Potter has had is due to exhaustion, it's why he's currently unconscious. Other then that, when he came in he had various cuts, abrasions, and bruises from what happened, but I have healed those. I also treated him for bruised and cracked ribs as it seems he impacted something quite hard. As for his hands... his palms and fingers had suffered second degree burns across them. How he got them is beyond me as it looked as if he had been holding onto something extremely hot when he got them."

It was not just Nagato who winced as most of the shipgirls were familiar one way or the other with how burns could affect a person. Swallowing, Shinano slowly nodded. "W-we'll do our best then to care for his burns and change the wrappings each day... though I... guess we'll need to see about painkillers..."

More then a little amused, Pomfrey shook her head. "There will be no need of that. The burns shall be healed by either tomorrow or the next day so long term treatment is not needed."

That got her blinked before Shinano frowned. "But I thought that you said he had second degree...?"

Slowly, Pomfrey nodded. "I did, but with magic it is much easier to heal such wounds. In fact, Mister Potter likely can brew his own burn cream to heal it quickly as it is a rather simple potion."

On the table where they were reading the notes, Nagato's medical fairies paused before looking at each other. And they were not the only one as the medical fairies on the other shipgirls were also talking with each other over what they heard. Clearing her throat, Hamakaze frowned. "What about his ribs?"

Chuckling, Pomfrey shook her head. "They'll be healed by tonight, though he should take it easier for the next few days." Glancing at the clock, she blinked and then sighed. "If you'll excuse me, Headmaster, I must continue my inventory checks."

With a final nod at the group, she walked off towards her office and then closed the door behind her. Gently taking Harry's hand, though there was no response, Regina smiled a little bit. "At least he won't be hurt for much longer... and he'll wake up soon. Right?"

Smiling, Shinano tightened the one armed hug she had. "Y-yeah, that's right. Harry-Chan is going to wake up soon enough." Reaching out, she placed her hand over Regina's and on Harry's. "And we'll be here for him to see when he does."

Just squeezing Shinano's shoulder with her hand, Lousiana then turned to Dumbledore with a frown on her face as she spoke up for the first time. "What I want to know is exactly how this happened."
Her own smile gone, Nagato turned towards Dumbledore who sighed before shaking his head. "It seems that Quirinus had come across Voldemort's shade while in Romania I suspect. From there, he became a follower of Voldemort's and, when he found out that I was hiding something his Master would want here-"

Arms crossed against her chest, RO frowned. "The Philosopher's Stone."

Eyes twinkling, Dumbledore looked at her. "Well now, so you did do it proper then."

What he did not expect was for Nagato to narrow her own eyes. "Later, I would like for you to explain why you were hiding such a dangerous artifact in the school..." It was then that something occurred to her. "Unless it was not the real thing to begin with."

That only caused the twinkle to fade from Dumbledore's eyes. "No, it was not and I would prefer if you kept that to yourselves. Nicholas and his wife were going to use the excuse that after all the attention given to the Stone, that they destroyed it and then decided to die at last."

Frowning, Wanko only glanced at him. "Humans though... fear death."

Simply nodding, Dumbledore smiled. "Perhaps, but after so long alive to them it would be like going to sleep after a long day."

Her eyes still narrowed, Nagato frowned. "But why hide a fake Stone here?"

Letting out a breath, Dumbledore looked at the window. "It was to be... a learning experience." Feeling their eyes on his back, he sadly smiled. "All the traps and protections could only be overcome if one worked together, as a group. Each person bringing different specialty. And, at the end, they would find the Stone there waiting. But just out of reach no matter what they tried as it was with so many others who tried to create it before Nicholas managed. An apt description of the pursuit of Alchemy. And some of those younger students may become interested enough to actually learn the ancient art, one which is to my sadness slowly dying."

Eyebrows furrowed, Isokaze blinked. "Wait... so that whole thing was just... a training exercise?"

Suddenly smiling, Dumbledore turned to her and nodded. "Exactly, a practical one rather then the usual assignments done on paper. The fact that they would pursue it themselves made it all the better for them to learn from it as well as a life lesson that sometimes, the greatest of prizes may be just out of our reach."

Laughing, Revina had to clutch at her stomach. "Holy shit! That's amaze-balls!"

His lips twitching a bit, Dumbledore nodded. "Yes, I rather liked it myself."

Confused, Maruyu looked over from her spot with a frown. "But... the Philosopher's Stone? Why use the greatest goal in alchemy?" Getting a chuckle from Dumbledore, she blinked and looked at the others. "Was it something that I said?"

Shaking his head, Dumbledore smiled at her. "No, it is just that the Philosopher's Stone is not the greatest goal in alchemy. It may, perhaps, be the most common goal. But the immortality and riches given by it is only considered by many as the stepping stones to the true greatest goal of any alchemist... creating the Angelcall Stone. Something that not even dear Nicholas, despite seven hundred years of trying, has managed." Despite the confusion on the shipgirls' and Abyssals' faces, Dumbledore didn't expand on that last point. Instead, he turned back to Nagato. "As to what happened... I'm afraid it was a convergence of circumstances and I believe that I have an rough idea of what happened. Though it will remain such until Harry has awoken and I have spoken to him about it."

Even though she wanted to know more about what he had been talking about, Nagato slowly nodded. "Very well."

After clearing his throat, Dumbledore put his hands behind his back. "Now, for the last week I have been in... political meetings. In fact, when Harry was kidnapped, I was at a magical community to the South-West meeting with their leaders. Meanwhile, it seems that Professor Quirrel and Voldemort released a group of ashwinders in the school after using the Engorgio charm on them. Needless to say, for the safety of the students the teachers and Prefects were all busy hunting them down."

Crossing her arms, RO frowned and then nodded. "That was quite clever of him." Opening her eyes, RO gave him a piercing look. After hearing what happened to Harry, RO had once more become Yuu in personality. "But why did they not suspect anything?"

With a sigh, Dumbledore shook his head. "It is not, sadly, uncommon for students to be... messing around at this time of year as the last exam had happened. And some of the older students have been known to unwind as it were with alcohol as much as we try to prevent it. The issue with the ashwinders would not be the first time something like this has happened I'm afraid."

All that did though was cause Nagato to rub her forehead as she was reminded of times that shipgirls had done much the same. "Right, so it seems that up to that point it looked like an unfortunate series of events."

Nodding, Dumbledore grimaced slightly. "As they say, hindsight is 20/20. But from what I have pieced together, Voldemort kidnapped Harry to try and get to the Stone. I can only assume that he believed that Harry had information regarding it. I suspect that perhaps he may have believed that I had told Harry something regarding it as some think I may be mentoring him at some point due to being the Boy-Who-Lived."

Simply pinching her nose, Nagato held back a groan. 'Of course, it all leads back to that...'

 

[darthcourt10]

sasahara17

Quick one since I am on the move again. Enjoy!

-=-

The door to the Submarine Rec Room in Portsmouth Naval Base (considering how the 'so called silent service' normally acted, it had been necessary to give them one of their own) slammed open with the force of a rampaging rhinoceros as HMS Upholder, KNIGHT OF THE UNDERSEA, gallantly strode in.

"SISTERS, I BRING GRAVE NEWS!" Upholder bellowed at the top of her lungs, interrupting a game of Warhammer Fantasy Battle, a Guitar Hero Rock Off, one viewing of the blessed Monty Python and the Flying Circus, two simultaneously running LARPs of Exalted Modern, a twelve person Nerf War... and HMS Thrasher's attempt to cook up a SPAM flavored sponge cake.

Yes, all this was happening in the same room, at the same time. No, no one but the submarines themselves could have gotten this to work. But chaotic mess aside, Upholder's announcement drew the attention every submarine in the room, whereupon she delivered to the the gravest of news...

"OUR DEAREST DAUGHTER OF TROY, HER GALLANT INFILTRATION OF THE CASTLE MOST ANCIENT... COMPROMISED!" Upholder's words were met with a loud, and overly dramatic, gasp of horror and dismay from the other submarines. "YES, WHAT WE HAVE FEARED AS COME TO PASS... HER DEAR FRIEND RONALD HAS REVEALED THAT HE HAS KNOWN OF HER TRUE NATURE FOR A TIME UNDISCLOSED!"

"WOT?!" Was the thunderous response from the other submarines.

"INDEED! IT IS AS I HAVE SAID!" Upholder nodded gravely, "RONALD WEASLEY AND HARRY POTTER HAVE KNOWN OF OUR FAIR MAIDEN'S TRUE NATURE FOR SOME TIME WITHOUT HER KNOWING. IT IS A MOST CONCERNING DEVELOPMENT!"

"OUR PRINCESS IS IN DANGER!" HMS Thorn declared as she heroically leapt onto the table, scattering dozens of war-gaming miniatures in the process, and pointed a finger valiantly into the air, "WE MUST AWAY TO HER SIDE WITH UTMOST HASTE AND TAKE HER TO ANOTHER CASTLE BEFORE HARM COMES TO HER!"

With that declaration, the rest of the submarines erupted into cheers of agreement, before the immediately began preparations to go rescue their fair maiden. In fact, the submarines were almost out the door when Upholder rushed over to the Guitar Hero set and smashed out a spot on rendition of 'Through the Fire and the Flames' to regain their attention.

"CALM THYSELVES, FELLOW KNIGHTS!" Upholder declared as she unslung the guitar, "THE SITUATION IS NOT AS BAD AS IT COULD BE, FOR THOSE THAT KNOW OF OUR LADY'S TRUE IDENTITY WISH HER NO HARM!"

"...so we don't get to launch a daring rescue by storming an ancient castle and fighting hordes of evil dark wizards to save a princess?" HMS Urge pouted as she lowered the giant (foam) claymore she was wielding to a rest position.

"UNFORTUNATELY, NOT, URGE. YOU SHALL HAVE TO FIND YOUR SATISFACTION ELSEWHERE." Upholder nodded in confirmation, "NO... WHILE OUR DEAR DAUGHTER OF TROY'S COVER HAS MIRACULOUSLY MANAGED TO SURVIVE, THE FACT TWO OF HER CLOSE FRIENDS HAVE MANAGED TO DISCOVER HER TRUE NATURE HAVE REVEALED A MOST CONCERNING PROBLEM..."

Upholder paused for dramatic effect, causing the other submarines leaning in towards the legendary submarine in anticipation.

"...THAT THE LADY HERMIONE IS UTTER RUBBISH AT INFILTRATION!"

A shocked and dismayed gasp went around the room as the terrible truth was revealed to them. Their beloved HMS Hermione, their fair lady, had no idea how to stealth. The submarines had known that, as a cruiser, Hermione wasn't as stealthy or as quiet (lies!) as they were, but to hear that she was so blind as to fail in realizing that her two closest friends had uncovered her identity made Hermione's situation even worse than they could have imagined!

"SISTERS, COMRADES, FELLOW KNIGHTS OF THE UNDERSEA!" Upholder threw her arms out dramatically, "AS THE silent SERVICE OF HER MAJESTY'S ROYAL NAVY, IT FALLS TO US TO HELP OUR DEAR DAUGHTER OF TROY CORRECT THIS SHORT COMING! WE MUST TEACH HER HOW TO BE STEALTHY, SUAVE AND QUIET... A MASTER SPY!"

"LIKE JAMES BOND!" Thorn nodded understandingly despite having named one of the loudest, most obvious secret agents in fiction.

Bond was more of an assassin than an infiltrator anyway.

"YES, THORN! LIKE JAMES BOND!" Upholder said in full agreement, a self satisfied smirk finding it's way onto her confident features. "NOW, GATHER CLOSE DEAR SISTERS, FOR I HAVE A PLAN MOST CUNNING AND DEVIOUS TO ASSIST OUR DEAR HERMIONE GRANGER IN HER TIME OF NEED..."

Thus Upholder began to educate her fellow submarines in her scheme to help Hermione become a master spy.

Miles away, in a certain old magical castle in Scotland, a certain young witch that was also a Dido class cruiser in disguise felt a terrifying chill go down her back... a dark omen if she ever knew one.

...Those crazy submarines had better not be planning something stupid.

-=-

Naturally, the ham and cheese subs are planning something stupid based entirely around her. Good luck to ye, o' fair Daughter of Troy. May you blood pressure remain low, and your temper remain calm as the deep blue sea!

 

[darthcourt10]

Harry Leferts

Something a little quick.
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________

While they were all digesting that, it was then that Maruyu spoke up and pointed at something off to the side. "Um... what is with all the items on that bedside drawer beside Harry?"

Nearly as one, all the shipgirls turned and blinked at the sight of the massive pile of items. Frowning a little bit, Shinano tilted her head to the side. "Um... how did we miss that?"

Looks were shared before finally Nagato coughed into her fist, a light blush on her face. Turning towards the slightly amused Dumbledore, she raised an eyebrow. "You do know where all those items came from, correct?"

There was a twinkle in the old wizard's eye as he nodded. "I do as a matter of fact." Softly smiling, he shook his head. "The only people who know what happened were those directly involved, therefore, naturally everyone else in the school also knows."

Her lips twitching, Louisiana tried to keep from laughing. "Guess that it's not only on military bases that gossip travels at the speed of light."

If anything, the twinkle in Dumbledore's eyes grew at this. "No, it is not." He then gestured towards the items piled on the top of the drawer. "Gifts, from many of Harry's admirers. Though not all are here..." A chuckle then escaped from the Headmaster's lips. "Fred and George Weasley tried to sneak in a toilet seat of all things. But Madam Pomfrey for some odd reason did not allow them to leave it here."

Closing her eyes, Nagato shook her head though there was an amused expression on her face. "Those two."

A whistle then caught their attention as Revina began walking around her hands clasped behind her back. "Right then, kiddo is okay but Imma just going to have a look around. Make sure that there's no threats nearby... seeya in a bit!"

For a moment, Dumbledore blinked before he turned towards Wanko who had a long suffering expression on her face. "Revina... likes those... two you named..."

Parsing this, Dumbledore suddenly grinned a little bit. "I see... that should be rather interesting."

Her eyebrow raised as she regarded him, Nagato soon shook her head and then looked around with a frown. In particular, the windows. "Hmm..."

Before she could say anything though, Maruyu crouched down and held out an arm. Various fairies slid down her arm and then gathered onto the floor in front of her before saluting her with "Desu"s. At the looks, she gave a small smile. "Um... I am fortifying this position."

It took a moment, but RO began to laugh. "Oh my God, Maru! You're into that?"

Slightly blushing, the small Subgirl slowly nodded as she rubbed her arm. "Um, yes? Kiso-Nee-San got me into it..."

Even as she shook with barely supressed laughter, RO hugged her. "We have got to get you involved in some of our games." Then she looked at the fairies and shook her head. "I don't think I need to ask who you play as though."

Rubbing her chin, Louisiana slowly nodded. "You know... that's a good idea." Placing her hand onto the bed, various Marine fairies slid out and down her arm before coming to attention. Some of them gave the stink eye to Maruyu's fairies, only to snap to at Louisiana's finger snap. "Enough of that, you bunch. We're all allies now and I expect you to work together."

With various "Hey"s, they nodded and with a salute, made their way to the floor. Soon, they were joined by some of the fairies from the other shipgirls. However, they stilled as the Abyssals added what looked like tiny, person shaped shadows that looked like a cross between a shipgirl fairy and some sort of insect with spikes coming from them. All of them were looking at each other before they began to go to work. Some of the Marines began digging out the soft mortar between the floor stones to create trenches while various others climbed up onto the windowsills and started to make sandbag emplacements alongside Maruyu's fairies and those of the other shipgirls. The Abyssal Shades though went to the walls and seemed to slip between the cracks.

As this as happening, Dumbledore just watched in amusement and interest. "Hmm..."

Moments later though, he turned at an odd sound and spotted Shinano and Regina taking the beds on either side of Harry and placing them beside his. It took several seconds, but they found the latch that allowed the rails at the bottoms to be moved down and so give them some more room. At his look, Regina blushed some and pulled her scarf up. "U-um... just in case we need to lay down... s-so that we can still protect him."

Dumbledore only nodded with a small smile. "Of course. Just be careful as Harry's... snake... is also there." With a blink, they turned to the end table and noticed that one of the drawers were still open before Shiromizu poked her head out. After nodding, she slipped back in. "I'm rather sorry, but I have to be going. I will be informing the house elves to be bringing you all something to eat while you stay."

With a final nod, Dumbledore left the medical wing, though Pomfrey looked out and rolled her eyes before ducking back into her office.

 

[darthcourt10]

sasahara17

A very, very quick and short followup to the latest Ham and Cheese Sub snip.

-=-

Sometime much, much later...

-=-

Hermione Granger, stared at the object in her hands with pure, undisguised fury. The intensity of her glare was so strong that, Hermione could have set fire to it if she wanted to... and considering Hermione was both a witch in training and a ship girl of her majesty's royal navy, this was not beyond the realm of possibility.

Of course, the bound, hardcover book she held was an inanimate object that cared not for her fury, and simply remained where it was in her hands without the slightest care in the world. Indeed, the copy of 'Ship Girl Infiltration Tactics and Strategy for Absolute Beginners, 1st Edition Limited Print', which was collectively authored by a bunch of complete idiots under the pen name 'THE VALIANT KNIGHTS OF THE DEEP BLUE UNDERSEA!', was much like it's authors in that regard.

As in, it didn't give a damn about what Hermione, or anyone else for that matter, wanted and did it's own thing.

On one hand, she wanted to chuck the offending tome in to the great lake (or burn it, or put it through a shredder, or some other destructive metbod of disposal) and be done with the damned thing. It was readily apparent to Hermione who was behind this book, and she had a gut feeling that keeping it around could possibly ensnare her in whatever harebrained plot the submarines had cooked up for her. Common sense would have her get rid of it before something disastrous happened.

On the other hand, it was a book... and an authentic first edition collectable, published by Penguin of all people. How the submarines had managed to get Britain's largest publishing house swept up in their little schemes, she didn't know. However, the book lover in her couldn't bear to get rid of the tome despite the threat it posed.

Then there was the little, inquisitive part of Hermione Granger that wanted to read the book to divine whatever secrets contained within...

Decisions, decisions.

"Wow, Hermione. I didn't know there was a book on ship girl covert operations," Harry said as he came up to where she was sitting in a quiet corner of the Gryffindor common room, "And it's published by Penguin Books too. I thought they mostly did fictional stuff like the classics and children's books."

"This is a children's book, Harry." Hermione flipped the book about to show Harry the illustrated cover, which had a brightly colored photograph of HMS Upholder in a conspicuous looking trench coat and fedora conspicuously trying to sneak through the front entrance of some old, medieval castle.

"Wha-"

"I had a look through the reviews on Amazon," Hermione grumbled, flipping the book back around so that she could continue to glare at the cover, "The whole thing is penned, and I quote 'like a satire'. It offers tips and tricks for a hypothetical young ship girl trying to, and I further quote, 'infiltrate a castle full of evil dark wizards for great justice'."

"Oh, so it's just a humor thing?" Harry said with a shrug.

"Penguin seems to have thought so. Not sure about the Submarines. My guess is the Submarines must have sent them the manuscript in their... usual way of communicating. The editors took it the only way a sensible person would," Hermione shook her head in disbelief, "I can't believe the submarines managed to pen a bestselling book. Over two hundred thousand copies sold, on the first day! How in the world...?"

"Hey, you know how much people are fascinated by ship girls. I bet a pencil drawing made by a ship girl would sell on eBay," Harry pointed out in jest, "Where did you get it, anyway? Did you sisters send you a copy through the owl post?"

"It was on my pillow, next to my head, when I woke up this morning," Hermione said simply, "It had a post it note stuck to the front from HMS Upholder saying how she used the stuff in the book to deliver it to me, and how I needed to study this to become a better at... stealthy stuff."

Harry paused. "Wait a moment. You found it next to your head when you woke up? And it wasn't there when you went to bed before?"

"No, no it was most assuredly NOT," Hermione confirmed with a growl, "So. From what I gather, Upholder snuck into my dorm room, which I share with several other people, in the middle of the night, hand delivered a copy of this book on ship girl infiltration techniques to me while I was sleeping, and then left with no one the wiser that she was even there. Harry... do you know what this means?"

A completely stumped Harry shook his head.

"That means that, whatever cheery nonsense this book looks like, there is a very high possibility that the information it has is correct, the techniques in it work... and this means it might be worth my time to read the damn thing!" Hermione dropped her head in her hands and gave a loud groan of utter frustration and despair.

Reading a book about STEALTH... written by THOSE submarines? The ones that gallivant around shouting at the top of their lungs about being 'knights of the undersea'?

How in the blazes did this happen?

-=-

A/N - And just so you know... unbeknownst to Hermione, HMS Upholder is STILL IN THE CASTLE demonstrating the techniques contained within her book to show Hermione that, yes, while they all come with cute little illustrated pictures... most of what the book teaches actually work in the context of sneaking through a castle full of 'not so evil' wizards.

Hm, I wonder what would happen when Upholder inevitably runs into the increased security measures that Harry's friends have placed around Hogwarts? That'll be a true test of Upholder's abilities, I'd think!

 

[darthcourt10]

Harry Leferts

Smacking their lips, Fred and George Weasley both woke up at the same moment before sitting up. The two yawned in sync before looking towards the window from which light was streaming in, and so telling them that it was morning. Off to the side, Lee Jorden snickered at his friends before shaking his head. "Can I just say how freaky it is to see you two acting like that?"

With a shared look between him and his twin, Fred smirked. "Yes, just like ever other morning."

As he got out of bed, George nodded. "Quite right, old bean. In fact, that does remind me of something."

Bemused, Fred looked over at him. "Oh, and what would that be?"

Tossing off his shirt as he dug out some clothes, George smirked. "Why, that we should get a tricycle for us. After all, Harry did suggest it of us."

Fred nodded at that in some amusement. "Quite, though why is beyond me. Along with us asking people if they could play with us."

Suddenly, Lee began to choke as one image came to mind with made the two turn towards him. However, he just waved them off. "It's nothing, nothing at all."

Positive that there was more to it, Fred and George shared a look between them that held a silent promise to find out what Harry had meant. Then the two of them walked into the bathroom and continued their morning routine. When they walked out, both of took note of Lee frowning as he looked out. "Something the matter, Lee?"

Slightly startled, he shook his head a little bit. "No, just... thinking about last night." A shudder ran through his body as he rubbed his arms. "I mean, sure, you told us about Potter's 'Big sister', but I thought that you were pulling my leg. Then last night she showed up with two Re-Class in trail."

Both Fred and George shared a look at that before turning back to Lee. "Like we said, they're not that bad, mostly."

Raising an eyebrow, Lee frowned a bit. "Yeah, about that, what did you mean by 'Mostly'?"

That got another glance between the twins before they shrugged. "They're nice and everything, but one of the Re-Class with her is Revina."

George nodded. "Sort of bonkers that one is."

His twin though shook his head. "No sort of at all. Totally..."

"Irrevocably..."

"Nutso that one."

"Quite a madwoman... Mad... Abyssal person, thing."

"Oh yes, quite insane. Lovely to watch her antics from a distance of course. The chaos is amazing to see."

"Less so from up close."

"Or if you happen to be her target."

By this point, Lee was rather amused at the two of them, but just shook his head. "I see... So rather like you two then?"

Shuddering, George shook his head. "No, not at all." With that, they left the Dorm and made their way downstairs only to blink at a sight that met them. Most of Gryffindor was gathered there and whispering among each other. That in and of itself was not that odd. Rather, it was what they were all looking at.

A large present wrapped in eye searing paper.

Upon seeing their names on the tag though, Fred and George attempted to walk around it. However, they were thwarted in the attempt as Percy intercepted them and threw his arms over their shoulders as he smirked. The fact that neither were able to escape had nothing to do with why he was smirking. Sipping his coffee, he gestured with his head at the present. "Aren't the two of you going to open it?"

On the two's faces was an odd expression before Fred shook his head. "No, I think that we shall have breakfast first before we open any odd packages. Is that not right, George."

Quickly nodding, George tried to smile, though it looked rather brittle. "Quite right oh brother of mine. Smart this fellow is."

The two arms though tightened a bit and slowly pushed them towards the present as Percy shook his head. "No, no, that would be rather rude of you two. Besides, we have plenty of time to make it down to breakfast."

Sharing a look, Fred tried once more. "But Perce, we might be late for classes otherwise! However does it look for a Prefect to cause two perfect students as us to be late to class for silliness?"

if anything though, that caused the smile on Percy's face to widen. "Oh, but brothers of mine, you were the one who told me to loosen up a little bit. So I am loosening up."

Both Fred and George shared a look at that before they were shoved at the present. Coming to a stop, they looked around only to find that no one was about to help them. "Bloody bastards, the bunch of you."

All Percy did was nod as he sipped his coffee. "Mmm."

Nervously, Fred and George slowly reached out before grasping the ribbon on top. Yanking on it, they snapped shields into place only to blink as the present fell apart to reveal a cake there declaring 'Happy Unbirthday'. "Um..." Their eyes narrowing, Fred and George called out. "Come on out, Revina! You're inside that cake, aren't you?"

Conjuring a stick, George poked it into the cake in several places and then blinked. "Huh?" Slowly, he turned to regard Fred. "It's... just a cake."

A frown on his face, Fred blinked. "You sure?"

Slowly, the two of them circled the cake, at one point pushing a potted plant out of the way before stopping. Frowning, George scratched his head. "Do you think that it's a trap?"

Before Fred could answer though, the potted plant exploded upwards revealing Revina who grinned. "You thought that it was I, REVINA! When in fact it was just a cake!" Needless to say, the Weasley twins both jumped forwards... right into the cake. Watching them struggle for a moment, Revina grinned. "Cake wrestling! Awesome idea you two!"

Freezing in place, Fred and George turned to each other with dawning looks of horror upon their faces. 'She's not...'

Her legs tensing, Revina leapt towards them. "Heeeeeere's REVINA!"

Seconds later, all those Gryffindors in the front of the group watching were splattered with cake and icing. Hermione's eyebrow twitched a little as she watched the carnage. "Is... this actually happening?"

Revina then sat up and her tongue came out before it licked all the icing and cake from her face. "Yum! Now let's paaarty!"

Bemused, Ron nodded as he watched Revina grab Fred and George as she wrestled them. "It's happening."

Meanwhile, Percy just dismissed the shield he had up before checking his watch. "Hmm... a little bit of early study sounds rather good at the moment."

From where the cake was, Fred called out. "PERCY! HEEEELP!"

Cackling, Revina could be heard calling out from behind him. "Oooo! Forward are we?"

Simply nodding, Percy opened the portrait hole and stepped out. 'Yes, a bit of early study would hit just the spot.'
_________________________________________________________________________________

Dumbledore was just chatting with Nagato as said Battleship demolished her breakfast when there was a knock at the door of the infirmary. With a raised eyebrow, the elderly wizard walked over to the door and opened it only to blink in surprise at who was there before warmly smiling. "Ah, Amelia." He then nodded at the Aurors with her. "Kingsley, Hestia, a good morning to you."

With a tight smile, Kingsley nodded some. "A good morning to you too, Headmaster."

Sighing, Amelia nodded. "Indeed, I wish that it was a courtesy call, but some unnerving reports have reached the Ministry and..." It was then that she spotted the others in the Hospital Wing and paled slightly at the sight of the Abyssals who were staring back at her. Another glance had her spot the various emplacements around the room manned by Fairies and the like. "... And I see that there is some truth to them."

As he chuckled some, Dumbledore nodded. "Yes, Mister Potter's friends and family do seem to elicit that reaction in some." Pausing, he leaned down and whispered into her ear. "I would have expected Cornelius to have come."

Her lips a thin line, Amelia whispered back. "He was, until it was explained that perhaps going into a dangerous situation was... inadvisable. Especially if his Auror Guard could not protect him against Abyssals and he stood the chance of dying. After that, he was more then willing to let me investigate myself, though I thought it was just false rumors, Albus."

Once more, Dumbledore chuckled. "I can assure you that it was not false."

Glancing at the Abyssals, Amelia tried not to flinch at their gazes. In fact, she was rather proud of herself and her Aurors for not reacting at the sight of not one, but twoPrincess class Abyssals and a Re-Class that was sitting on a bed beside who she assumed was the Boy-Who-Lived. It helped that there were shipgirls in the room. "I can see that for myself, Albus."

Still smiling, Dumbledore guided her inside and began introducing her. "Now then... you know about Mister Potter's mother, the Battleship Nagato. Miss Nagato, this is Amelia Bones, the head of the Department of Magical Law Enforcement."

A slight smile on her face, Nagato reached out and shook Amelia's hand. "I, Nagato of the Big Seven, greet you. Though perhaps later you might be willing to talk about some issues?"

Frowning, Amelia slowly nodded. "I can see what I can do."

When Nagato moved aside, Amelia gulped a little as Wanko walked over with Hoppou, with Dumbledore gesturing to them. "These are Mister Potter's adopted sisters. The taller one is Harbor Princess, or Wanko as she prefers to call. And the smaller one is his younger sister, Hoppou."

Just grimacing slightly, Amelia shook the giant claw offered, supressing the shiver at the thought of it ripping through her flesh. "It's nice to meet such august personas as yourself."

More then a little nervous as she guarded her boss, Hestia glanced around the room only to come to a stop at the sight of what looked like a girl no older then eleven, twelve at most. Said girl was in, of all things, a red and white swimsuit. But that was not what caught Hestia's attention. Rather it was the sword that said girl was slowly polishing.

Then the girl caught her eye and pulled out a napkin that she dropped onto the sword... and which split in half as it touched the blade's edge. Said girl then smiled in a predatory way and Hestia had to stop herself from shuddering at how cold her eyes seemed at that moment.

For some odd reason, Hestia felt that perhaps any quick movements should be avoided.

Perhaps.

 

[darthcourt10]

Harry Leferts

Remus was walking along the small pathway as he looked around the property with a slight frown. Part of him still had issues with believing what was going on, but where he looked was the evidence. Off to one side, he could see one of the few weres he had a friendly relationship with working on one of the gardens. And even from where he was, Remus could hear the work going on inside the old boarding school as it was brought up to standard despite being abandoned for years. Most of the work was being done by werewolves that had gotten employment.

Some of them though wanted to be paid in their children being able to go to school, which was something that Remus was one hundred percent behind.

A small curse though caused him to glance to where someone was hopping around after dropping a brick on their foot. Once he was done, the were picked it up and then placed it into it's proper place as they continued to build the outbuilding. Unknown to most of the muggles, the building would be where various potions such as wolfsbane would be prepared. Shaking his head, Remus softly whispered to himself. "This might work... I only wish that you were here to see it, James, Lils..."

Not for the first time, his hand clinched and he fought back the wolf that threatened to rise. Despite time, he still wanted to kill his former friend, Sirius Black for his betrayal. Then Remus relaxed a bit and shook his head to clear it. "No, you're not going to ruin this. Not like everything else, Black."

"Still thinking of him after all these years, huh?"

Wincing, Remus turned to regard the blonde haired woman behind him. "Cassandra, I wish that you wouldn't do that."

The former Mediwitch gave him a wolfish grin before shaking it off. "But it's hilarious..." Her expression softened a little and she shook her head. "You really need to let it got, Remus. It won't help you one way or the other to continue to focus on it."

For several moments, Remus searched the face of the female werewolf in front of him. "I'm afraid that's quite impossible, Cassandra. He was such a large part of my past that I don't think that I will ever be able to let it go. Besides..." He looked down to see her rubbing a bite mark on her arm, the scar still red as if it had never healed. "I'm not the only one who has issues with letting go of the past."

Pausing, Cassandra followed his gaze before she slowly nodded. "I... suppose so. We all have things in our past that have marked us."

Remus just examined the were in front of him as they lapsed into silence. He was happy that she had joined in the project and brought her brother with her, his potions skills would of great help. But, even now, he could see in her what had attracted Fenrir to hunt her and then bite her, forever altering her life...

What had attracted him back during his Hogwarts days.

But, then Remus internally sighed. Those days were far in the past and things had widened between the two of them too much. Even though both Cassandra and her brother said otherwise, he still blamed himself for Fenrir going after her. The bastard wanted to hurt Remus like he had hurt his father, and had done so by marking the one woman he cared for. By now, the gulf between them had widened far too much for either of them to be more then friends. Something that Cassandra was saddened by, but still happy to have. "So... how goes the hospital wing?"

Smiling slightly, Cassandra shook her head as she chuckled. "It may not be Hogwarts', but it is going swimmingly. And even better, they're letting me set it up the way that I want to." Then she frowned as she glanced over at where there was a cement truck pouring it's contents into a hole. "And how goes our... shelter?"

As he blinked, Remus looked in the same direction. To the people working on it, what they were building was an air raid shelter just in case the Abyssals sent an air attack through the area. Most were doubtful, but decided that there was no harm in the people owning the school being safer then sorry. Unknown to them though, said shelter was actually to be where the werewolves would be able to transform on the night of the full moon. "The shelter should be ready in maybe a month or two..." He shook his head in amazement. "The Muggles amaze me sometimes."

Even as she nodded, a chuckle escaped from Cassandra. "They really do good work..." Trailing off, she blinked as she caught sight of something. "Is that an owl?"

Blinking, Remus turned in the direction that she was looking in and frowned. "Yeah... it is." Remus then held out his arm which the owl landed on. Taking the envelope, he opened it and read it with a slight frown. "Hmm..."

While he was doing that, Cassandra was looking over his shoulder. "Who's it from?"

Just raising an eyebrow at her, Remus waited until she backed off before shrugging. "It's from Hagrid. He... he's putting together an album of pictures for Harry." It went without saying that he didn't need to say the last name. "And wants to know if I have any pictures or copies of them that I can give."

Eyes wide, Cassandra gasped a bit. "Have you..." At the shake of the head, she frowned a bit. "Why not?"

A sigh escaping him, Remus shook his head. "I... he wouldn't want to meet me. I'm a werewolf after all and by the time I thought of him, he had to have been four or five."

Rolling her eyes, Cassandra knew that Remus was referrencing his grieving period. "Right, of course." Then a thoughtful look crossed her face. "So, what are you going to do? I know that I have a few pictures..."

On Remus' face there was a far off expression before he slowly nodded. "I... think that I have some pictures to give him. So that he knows what his parents looked like at least." After a few moments of thought, he shook it off and began walking towards the school. "Anyways... it's almost lunch and I want to see what Carmania comes up with this time."

That brought a smile to Cassandra's face as she rubbed her stomach. "Mmm, probably something good. If I knew that shipgirl cooking was that good, I would have eaten at some placed they cooked at before now."

Simply chuckling, Remus shook his head and continued to walk.
___________________________________________________________________________

Quill tapping against parchment, Amelia frowned before she sighed. 'When it rains, it pours I suppose...' Glancing at the cup of tea beside her as she put down the quill, she wished that she had taken the offer of a dab of whiskey. However, Amelia just took off her monocle and cleaned it. "Allow me to understand this, if you will. Mister Potter was kidnapped by a previously unknown follower of You-Know-Who, who believed that he held a key to an item of Albus' that he thought might be able to revive his Master."

Dumbledore only nodded as he sipped his tea. "That is correct, Amelia."

Leaning forward, she glared at him slightly. "This lead to a fight in which, unfortunately, the former Professor Quininus Quirrel died. Am I correct." Once more, Amelia got nods before she sighed. "And so, due to this, Mister Potter's family arrived with some friends to set up a protection detail just in case Quirrel had an accomplice."

Arms acrossed, Wanko gave a slow nod. "Yes, that... is why... we are here. No one... shall harm... Little Brother... if we... can help it."

With a glance at the shipgirls, the two Re-classes (though Amelia wondered why one had bits of cake of all things on her clothing that even now her tail's head was licking up), and the fairy emplacements, Amelia internally snorted. 'No, I doubt very much that anyone would be successful.' Externally, she just sighed. "Very well, this is rather understandable and there is precedent for such actions."

Clearing her throat, Nagato narrowed her eyes. "There is one other item though."

That brought a sigh from the Director of Magical Law Enforcement. "Yes, this idea that You-Know-Who somehow possessed Quirrel during his actions, though voluntarily on the part of the man. However, that runs into the facts which are You-Know-Who is dead. All that was left of him was his cloak and ashes at the ruins of the Potter residence after all."

In reply, Dumbledore sipped his tea and hummed. "Yes, though that in and of itself is not proof enough that he is truly dead."

A frown on her face, Amelia shook her head. "The Dark Marks on the Death Eaters also faded, Albus. And from all information that is only possible if You-Know-Who was dead. There has also been no activity from him for years, something that I know would be impossible if he was alive. Say what you will about that bastard, but laying low for that long would be impossible for him."

Sighing, Dumbledore nodded as he put his cup down. "I understand that, but there are methods of... surviving... in a way."

Eyes narrowing, Amelia frowned. "Methods that you will not disclose to me at this time."

Dumbledore grimaced a bit as he forced himself not to look at Harry. 'Because if I am right, then there's the possibility that some might take matters into their own hands. And there's still the chance that I am both wrong or that there is a way around it besides the one that I found.' Outwardly, he shook his head. "There are many methods, but I need more information before I can make any conclusions."

Grunting, Amelia shook her head. "Then until you have actual proof, I cannot unfortunately work on merely hearsay, Albus. And with various charms, it is possible to trick people and Merlin knows that I have had more then one Dark Wizard try to pretend to be You-Know-Who in order to use the fear and terror he had created to their own ends... or that Dark Witch in Ireland last year that tried to claim she was You-Know-Who after a curse turned her into a female."

That caused Dumbledore to wince, but he nodded. However, of all people Shinano spoke up. "Um... back in Japan there are legends about people who... still hold a lot of power after their deaths."

Somewhat interested, Amelia looked at her directly. "Oh? Go on..."

With a glance at Nagato, who nodded, Shinano took a deep breath. "They are known as the Nihon San Dai Onryō, or the Three Great Ghosts of Japan. They were powerful in life, and even more so after death when their spirits rose from their graves..."

As she listened to the stories that Shinano was telling, Amelia frowned. 'Hmm... interesting, I think that I should pay a visit to Crouch sometime soon. He could point me to someone that may be able to confirm, but if so...' Her eyes narrowed slightly. 'It would not be too hard to keep an eye out and an ear to the ground.'

Meanwhile, Shinano finished her stories as she placed her hands into her lap. "... And that is about everything that I know."

Slowly, Amelia nodded with a thoughtful look on her face. "While I have never heard of such things, I will say that I won't dismiss it. I shall have to look into this, though I doubt that You-Know-Who used such foreign magic. But I cannot dismiss the possibility." She then looked at the other shipgirls and Abyssals. "Now then, while I do not have any issue with you being here, I ask that you comport yourselves well. If a student or other person who is not out to harm Mister Potter is themselves harmed, then I will be forced to act. Something that would be most regrettable in the end."

Unsaid, of course, was who it would be most regrettable for.

Wanko only nodded slowly. "Very well... we shall... not harm anyone... who does not... try to... harm Little Brother."

Taking that as the best outcome she could get in this situation, Amelia drained her tea before standing. "Now then, I have most likely taken up enough of your time and I need to be back at the Ministry to calm some nerves. I wish you all a good day."

Even as the others nodded and said goodbye, Amelia was surprised as Nagato stood up. "May I walk with you outside, there is... something that I wish to ask in private."

Her eyebrow raising, Amelia nodded and gave her two Aurors a gesture to hang back. Once they were out the door, she glanced at Nagato with a frown. "What is it that you wish to discuss? I find myself rather curious after all."

For several moments, Nagato was silent before she turned to Amelia with a serious look. "I wish to know some things about Sirius Black."

Surprised, Amelia could only widen her eyes. 'Well now... this perhaps could be interesting...'

 

[darthcourt10]

Harry Leferts

There were many, many ways to describe Hibiki. Ask her friends and they would tell you that she was extremely dependable and loyal. Someone that anyone would be proud and honored to have their backs. If one was to ask the Matsuda family, they would talk about how even headed she was and how she was often a rock for the Destroyers of DesDiv6. That she kept cool under circumstances that others might panic or lose their heads. Often, she was right there to help anchor them.

The Unsinkable Ship.

The Phoenix.

The Destroyer Having The Destiny To Survive The War.

What many though did not realize was that while it was hard to get her angry, once she was there was little to stop it. Said anger though was not shown through screaming. Nor tantrums. It was not a hot anger. No, her anger when present was as cold as the arctic tundra of Siberia in the middle of winter. An anger that was as cutting as the flakes of ice thrown around by polar storms. One that was impossible to stop as a glacier and which would crush foes like unforgiving sea ice.

And right now, that anger was running as cold as it ever did upon getting the news that her friend was attacked and was now laying in a coma.

It certainly did not help that when she asked, she was told that she could not head out to Hogwarts to keep watch over him. For most people who saw her, Hibiki's expression didn't change. To her sisters, mother, and aunt? They could see that she was just barely keeping her temper under control.

Of course, the last thing that Hibiki wanted to do was to explode at her sisters. And so, that was what found her out on the water with Mikasa just out of sight on the other side of Sarushima. Walking around her, as Hibiki concentrated and used that anger to hone her concentration, to fuel what she needed, Mikasa slowly nodded. "You've actually come further then the others you know, I think that this might be the point where you manage it. After all, you have the most spiritual weight of anyone outside of Chibi-Kon and her sisters."

Forehead creasing, Hibiki grunted with her eyes closed. "Da, as you have told me."

Softly snickering, Mikasa hummed. "Well, you had one oldest hulls when you were sunk." At seeing one eye open with a cold, yet burning intensity behind them, Mikasa only stood there and let it wash over her. "Despite how you feel, you were launched in 1932 and sunk in the 1970s. Forty years afloat at the very least does give one a good deal of spiritual weight which can only help you here."

Grumbling, Hibiki closed her eye. "I wish that I did not have to go so long without my sisters though. Even if we have been reunited again.

Mikasa only nodded at that. "You are not the only one to feel such, Hibiki-Chan. But at least now you have them with you." There was a pause as she gained a far off expression and then shook it off. Suddenly, she began to smile. 'Ah, there we go...'

Unnoticed by Hibiki, her body began to glow slightly and waves were spreading from her feet as the water began to bubble. Internally, the Destroyer could feel... a pull. Grabbing the metaphorical anchor chain in her mind, she yanked on it and began to reel it in. Around her feet, the ocean then began froth as it was lit from below. 'I... almost there...' Focusing on her anger and using that to sharpen her concentration, as fuel for her focus, Hibiki grit her teeth as sweat appeared on her brow. 'Almost...'

All of a sudden, she felt as if she was shooting up into the air until she came to a stop and sucked in a deep lungful of air. For several seconds, she just stood there looking out at the sea as waves sloshed around. Hibiki then blinked as she looked down at her side and could see Mikasa smiling up at her. "Congradulations, Dess!"

Very slowly, a smile spread on Hibiki's face as she took in deep lungfuls of air. 'I did it...'

From where she stood below her, Mikasa nodded. "Now then, we just need for you to practice until you can do it with little problem."

That only caused Hibiki to nod as she looked up at the sky above. "I cannot wait to show you, Harry-Chan..."
______________________________________________________________________

Looking out a window, Nagato folded her arms across her chest in thought before she looked at Dumbledore. "From what I understand, after the End of Year Feast, there is nothing for a week?"

With a slightly thoughtful expression on his face, Dumbledore nodded. "That is correct. The Feast is on the fourteenth with the students going home on the twentieth."

Fingers tapping against the windowsill, Nagato considered this before she frowned in thought. "I hate to impose upon you more then I have, but could I have him come home to Yokosuka for a few days? If nothing else, it would calm down the others to see him alive."

Dumbledore blinked before he chuckled and nodded. "Of course, I see no issue with allowing Mister Potter to head home for recovery. And I doubt very much that Poppy would have much trouble with it either."

Lips twitching, Nagato raised an eyebrow at him in some amusement. "Most likely due to us no longer taking up her infirmry I would guess."

That got her a chuckle from the Headmaster who nodded. "That would be the most likely reason, yes." He then sighed a little. "I hope though that he at least feels well enough to come back for the trainride home. It may be the last time he sees his friends here until September after all."

Slightly bowing, Nagato nodded. "Of course." Checking her internal clocks, she gave a small nod. "I believe that I have taken up enough of your time, Headmaster. After all, I am needed back at my son's side if only to make sure that things keep running smoothly."

Chuckling again, Dumbledore shook his head. "It's not a problem at all." Once she was gone, Dumbledore leaned back and looked at Fawkes who was watching him with twinkling eyes. "Ah, to be young again." The pheonix gave a warble which the old wizard smirked at. "Yes, if nothing else they'll be worth the entertainment that Mister Potter should bring about."

Above him, one of the elderly Headmistresses snorted and muttered to herself. "Sometimes life is wasted on the living."

That only got her eyerolls from the other portraits.

 

[darthcourt10]

Harry Leferts

And... my muse is in overdrive tonight...
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Hearing a knock, Wanko slowly got up from where she was watching Hoppou play Go Fish with Maruyu and Regina. 'Odd... I did not... expect Nagato... to have... returned by... now.' When she opened the door though, the Abyssal got a pleasant surprise in the form of the Groundskeeper there with a large smile. Already feeling some heat in her cheeks, Wanko blinked. "Hagrid...?"

With a chuckle, Hagrid nodded at her. "Aye, heard that yeh were watchin' over 'Arry here and came by ta see yeh."

If anything, that caused the blush on Wanko's face to increase. "You wished... to see... me...?"

Hagrid just nodded. "Aye." Then he held up a large bag in his hand. "I even made yeh some o' my famous rock cakes."

Surprised, Wanko brought one claw up to her lips before blinking. 'He... made me... some rock cakes?' There was a small smile on Wanko's face as she nodded. "Thank you... Hagrid. You are... too kind."

Rubbing the back of his head, Hagrid just shook his head. "Nah, besides, it's the least that I can do for yeh since yeh are watching over 'Arry." A moment later, he reached into the bag and pulled out one of the rock cakes which he held out to Wanko. "Here yeh go, have a try."

Curious, Wanko took the object and examined it from various angles before sniffing. When she glanced at Hagrid, the giant man just smiled and motioned her on. After a few seconds of thought, the Abyssal then took a bite and chewed before her eyes widened. 'It is... so good...' Closing her eyes in bliss, she swiftly gobbled the rest of it down before swallowing. "Thank you... Hagrid."

All Hagrid did was rub the back of his head with a large smile on his face. "Aw, yeh don't have ter thank me fer bringing yeh somemmat ter eat." Feeling a tug, he looked down to see Hoppou looking up at him. "Yes?"

Hoppou blinked and then tilted her head. "Hoppou wants some." At a cough from Wanko, Hoppou then added a little bit. "Please?"

Chuckling, Hagrid reached down and patted her head. "Well, of course yeh can!"

Simply watching as Hoppou took one for herself and some for the others before she skipped back to the group, Wanko smiled before turning to Hagrid. "How have... you been... Hagrid?"

That caused Hagrid to shake his head before he snorted. "Been fine, actually. Got a little bit o' a problem wit' some flesh eating slugs, but tha's nothing." Suddenly, his expression brightened. "Oh! An' I had me a dragon for a bit there."

Eyes widening, Wanko leaned in. "A dragon.... you say...?"

Nodding, Hagrid reached into his coat and pulled out a photo which he held out so that Wanko could see. Of course, he did not notice how the Abyssal was pressing into his side. "Aye, this is Norbert. 'E's a Norwiegan Ridgeback 'e is." Sniffling a bit, Hagrid pulled out a handkerchief and blew his nose. "'Ad ter give him up though. Against the law ter keep him and all that rot. Somethin' about it being dangerous." That caused the massive man to snort. "Rubbish, just a little misunderstood dragons are. Like yeh in fact."

Blinking owlishly, Wanko tried to ignore the heat in her cheeks as Hagrid continued to tell her all about his baby dragon. 'Such an... interesting man... Hagrid is...'

She did though tell him that when Harry woke up or on her next visit, she would take him up on his offer of tea.
____________________________________________________________________________

"If you're a bit tired, no one is stopping you from getting a little shuteye."

A little bit startled, Regina turned to regard Louisiana who was watching her from under the brim of her hat. "Ah... ah, what?"

Raising an eyebrow, Louisiana sat up from where she was laying on the bed beside Harry. "You're looking a little bit tired at the moment. No one is going to complain if you decide to have a little bit of a nap. Hell, I don't think that I have seen you sleep much since we got here."

Not replying right away, Regina stared down at her hooves before she whispered back. "I... I need to protect him."

Only nodding at that, Louisiana hummed a bit before swinging her legs over the edge of the bed and getting up. "Ain't going to be able to protect him well if you're tired though. Best to get some rest when you can, so that you can be at your best." Suddenly, she grinned. "Besides, you would not believe how comfortable it is just cuddling up to him."

She was rewarded by a blush on Regina's face as the Abyssal glanced at the sleeping Harry, who had Shinano cuddled into one side. Another glance showed her the dozing Nagato who had Hoppou in her arms. "I... I couldn't..."

Walking over, Louisiana clapped her on the shoulder and grinned. "Of course you can! Go on now, I'll take this watch while you rest them pretty red eyes of yours." Before Regina could say anything, Lousiana hauled her to her hooves and gently pushed her towards the bed that she just vacated. "Go on now, besides... you can still protect him while sleeping."

It took a moment, but Regina's eyes widened before she nodded. "O-oh... I see..." Walking over, Regina took a deep breath before looking back at Louisiana who winked. Just swallowing nervously, the Re-Class got up onto the bed and froze as it creaked under her weight. After a few moments, just to be sure that the bed would not collapse, she shuffled until she was right beside Harry. Then she laid her head down on his shoulder before glancing at Maruyu who was on top of the black haired boy as she slept. 'This... is nice...' Closing her eyes, she shifted her tail until it was laying on Harry's legs. 'This is very nice...'

From where she sat, Louisiana just grinned as she watched the breathing of the Re-Class Abyssal even out as she fell into slumber. 'Well now, isn't that just the most adorable sight.' Once she was sure that Regina was asleep though, the Battleship stood up and stretched as she ignored how Hamakaze and Isokaze glanced at her from the doorway where they stood guard with Wanko.

Or... maybe she didn't ignore them as she was internally grinning at catching their attention.

After a few stretches though, she walked over to one of the windows where RO was sitting with some of fairies as they played some sort of card game. Sitting down, Lousiana hummed to herself as she watched. "So... what's this now?"

RO glanced at her and then flashed a quick smile. "We're playing a game of Skat."

Just raising an eyebrow, the Battleship just nodded a little. "I see... can anyone join in your game? Or is just your crew."

That got a soft laugh from RO as the tanned girl shook her head. "Skat is for just three players, though if you wait for this game to finish up, I'll play one with you... or we'll perhaps play Doppelkopf."

Slightly bemused, Lousiana snorted. "I'm not an idiot."

Much to her amusement, RO rolled her eyes. "That would be dummkopf." Rubbing her chin as she considered the cards, the Uboat frowned. "Though I suspect that the game is not the only thing that you're interested in."

Quiet for a few seconds, Lousiana finally nodded. "No, I'm not." Becoming thoughtful, she leaned back and looked towards the bed where Harry laid. "I've talked with a number, and what I have heard has made me wonder something... what exactly is the plan you Submarines have?"

Glancing at her, RO followed her gaze and then smiled. "I suspect that it is much the same plans as you have."

Louisiana had a considering look in her eyes before slowly nodding. "I see... Now isn't that interesting." Turning, Louisiana stared RO in the eye with the Subgirl meeting her gaze. "Is it the same plan for all of you?"

With a chuckle, RO nodded. "Ja, it is. Harry-Chan is special, and so we want him happy."

Eyebrow raising, Lousiana leaned down some. "Is that so... and you?"

Her eyes crinkling a bit at the corners, RO smirked. "We all want him happy." Softly snorting, the Battleship leaned back. With a hum, RO turned her attention back to the game. "And you?"

For a moment, Louisiana was silent. And then she nodded. "... Yeah, it's much the same." Gazing out the window, she frowned. "I owe so much to him, I don't really care how it all comes to an end as long as he is happy and so is Natsumi. Of course, I would prefer it go a certain way mind you..."

That got her a grin from RO who nodded. "I think that we can all see that." At the startled look, she laughed a little. "You're a Battleship, you can't do things unobtrusively."

Raising an finger, Louisiana shook her head. "Washington."

Only rolling her eyes in reply, RO shook her head. "Even we have heard about what happened between her and the Yeoman Gale. That was not unobtrusive in the slightest."

Just blinking, Lousiana snorted and then sighed. "You have me there, I suppose." Suddenly, she looked towards RO with a frown. "Wait... you said 'Plans', as in multiple...'

The only answer she got from RO was a hum, a smile, and nothing else.
_______________________________________________________________

Clawing his way out of unconsciousness, the first thing that Harry was aware of was a weight on his chest and legs, as well as two on either side of him. As his thoughts flowed as slow as molasses on a cold, winter's day, it took a few seconds for him to realize that the weights were bodies cuddled into him. Twitching a bit, he let out an involuntary groan before his eyes fluttered open and he could see a head of brown hair on his chest. 'Maruyu-Chan...?' A look at either side caused him to blink. 'Shinano-Chan? Regina?' More then a little confused, he furrowed his eyebrows. 'What happened... last I remember was...!' His eyes then widened as he began to hyperventalate as it all came back. "I... P-Professor Quirrel... he..."

It was the feeling of him gasping that caused Regina's eyes to open. "Harry...?" Then upon seeing the state that he was in, she sat up. "Harry!"

Within moments, Shinano and Maruyu were also awake and trying to calm him down before Nagato got there. All three shipgirls moved away so that Nagato could pull him into an embrace as he shook. "Shhh... shhhh... it's okay, Harry. Everything is okay now."

Tightly holding her, Harry choked a bit. "Mu-mum... Professor Quirrel, he's-"

Nagato cut him off right then. "Dead, we know." Eyes softening, she nodded and stroked his head. "We know, Harry."

Internally though, Harry was shaking his head. 'No, Mum, you don't... you really don't.' There was a part of him, that part from his experiences from the Dursleys, that was whispering to him. Telling him that if they only knew that he had killed someone. That if they knew, they would not want anything to do with him.

Said whispers only caused him to hold all the more tighter to Nagato who after a few minutes as his shakes subsided, looked down. "Do you want to talk about it?"

However, she was not surprised in the slightest as Harry shook his head. "N-no, not right now, Mum."

Kissing his hair, she closed her eyes. "Okay, when you're ready though, we'll be here."

A half hour later though, after Pomfrey checked him out, Dumbledore finally arrived and frowned as he took in the sight of Harry half-heartedly pushing the food around on his plate. Waiting until Nagato walked up, he glanced at her. "Would it be okay if I spoke to him about what happened?"

Within moments, Nagato shook her head. "He doesn't want to talk about it right now I'm afraid. Eventually, but not right now and I don't want to force him." She then narrowed her eyes as she hissed. "He was in shock when he woke up and shaking, Headmaster. My son was actually sobbing when I was holding him..." Nagato's eyes burned with barely concealed rage. "Voldemort best hope that I never come across him."

Stroking his beard, Dumbledore nodded. "Agreed..." For almost a minute, he watched Harry as if examining him. Finally, he relaxed and, to Nagato's confusion, seemed almost... relieved. "I see no problem in waiting. What happened will keep for a few days." Before she could say anything though, Dumbledore cleared his throat. "Do you believe that he is able to attend tonight's feast?"

Simply frowning, Nagato glanced at him before she shook his head. "That is up to him, I'm afraid. If not, then we shall be leaving as soon as he is discharged. And if he is, then we shall be leaving after the end of the feast."

Dumbledore only nodded at that. "Of course, of course." With a sigh, he gave her a nod. "I think that I shall leave you now, Mister Potter needs you and his other friends and family more then he needs an old man asking questions."

All the Battleship did was tilt her head before he left. It was a quiet group that left Hogwarts that night, not even the fact that due to his friends Gryffindor won the House Cup raised Harry's spirits much.

Then, two days later at Yokosuka, Harry was sitting at the end of a dock when Haruna caught sight of him and walked over towards him.

 

[darthcourt10]

Harry Leferts

Harry just sat at the end of the pier with his legs swinging below him as he stared out to sea. He had just wanted to get away from everyone and just... think. After all, what would they think of a murderer in their midst. And at the end of the pier, he could just be alone. What Harry didn't expect was for Haruna to sit down beside him and do the same thing. After a few minutes, Harry glanced over at her to see a smile on her face. "Does Harry-Chan want to talk about it?"

Frowning, Harry sighed and hung his head as he looked down at their reflections in the water. The bags under his eyes telling him that he really had not been sleeping well. "Not really, Haruna-Oba..."

Unlike some of the others who had tried to get him to talk, Haruna just nodded a bit. "Well, then Haruna is okay just spending some time with Harry-Chan in silence."

Once more, the two lapsed into quiet thoughtfulness for several minutes. For the next half hour, every once in a while Harry glanced at Haruna who only smiled and kicked her feet back and forth below the pier. However, she did not say anything else, only waited for what she knew would happen. Finally, Harry grimaced a bit. "Do you really want to know what happened?"

Tilting her head, Haruna hummed with the gentle smile still on her face. "Only if Harry-Chan wants to talk about it."

Still staring down at the water, Harry took a deep breath and began to let it out. He didn't quite know how, but somehow he just spilled everything that happened over the year as Haruna listened. Throughout it, the Fast Battleship just sat there and didn't say anything, just listened as the black haired boy beside her poured out his heart to her... even as hers ached for him. Eventually, he came to the end and sighed. "And... that's about it I guess."

Humming, Haruna looked out onto the harbour with a frown. "Does Harry-Chan really think that what happened will make us think differently about him?"

With a frown, Harry just shook his head. "I... killed him, Haruna-Oba. I held my hands to his face and throat as he burned and screamed and-"

Before he could continue, he got cut off by Haruna placing a finger to his lips. "Haruna wants Harry-Chan to know something really important." Once he nodded, she pulled away the finger and then pulled him into a hug. "Haruna is most saddened that Harry-Chan was put into that situation... That Harry-Chan had to do what he did... but Haruna is not saddened by how Harry-Chan is still with them. For that, Haruna is grateful to the Kami. And Harry-Chan? None of us would think of you any differently due to what happened. Not Haruna, not Nagato, not the submarines, not Rose-Chan, not Fubuki, not Hoppou... none of us."

Muffled, Harry's voice drifted up though there was a hint of tears in it. "You mean it?"

Even though she felt like giggling, Haruna held it back and only nodded as she gently stroked Harry's hair. "Hm-hm. Haruna means it and wants to see Harry-Chan be okay again. So, Haruna thinks that he should talk with Nagato about it and perhaps the others. We're all worried for Harry-Chan after all and only want to see him smile again."
Sighing, Harry pulled away some. "I... guess. You sure that she won't be..."

Haruna only poked him in the forehead. "Haruna is sure." Smiling, Harry leaned back against her as she held him in a one armed hug. Several minutes later, Harry mumbled something and Haruna looked down. "What was that, Harry-Chan?"

With a deep breath, Harry then let it out. "I... was asking if you could be there and..."

Leaning back, Haruna searched his eyes and then pushed his bangs to the side to place a soft kiss to his forehead. "Haruna would be honored to help Harry-Chan. Does Harry-Chan want anyone else there?"

For several moments, Harry bit his lip and then swallowed. "I... don't want to tell it more then once..." Shuddering a little as he felt drained, Harry leaned against her. "C-could you decide who should be there, Haruna-Oba?"

Gently humming, Haruna nodded. "Haruna can do that if that is what Harry-Chan wants." Once he nodded, she then stood up, dragging him with her. "Very well, Haruna will set it all up for Harry-Chan."

Harry's only response was to nod against her shoulder as she easily carried him in one arm while her other hand was busy texting.
_____________________________________________________________________________

Shifting in his chair, Harry glanced around the meeting room. Beside him, Haruna gently squeezed his shoulder while Goto and Kongou were quietly talking in one of their seats. Also there were Fubuki, Iowa, and to Harry's confusion, Hachi. Unable to meet their eyes, Harry just held the mug of tea in his hands which shook.

Then the small bits of talk stopped as there was a knock at the door and it opened to reveal Nagato, Naka, Haru, and Dumbledore. Once the other three sat down, Naka set up a camera quickly and then nodded to Harry with a soft smile at his confusion. "This way you'll never have to tell it again if you don't want to."

With a slow nod, Harry swallowed before Haruna leaned down to give him an encouraging smile. "Haruna is here for you, Harry-Chan. Trust Haruna when she says that nothing you say here will change how we see you."

Just shuddering, Harry gulped. "I... I know." Looking up, he glanced at each person. "I... you all want to know what happened, right?"

Goto gave him his best comforting smile which he had used on nervous Destroyers before, and it seemed to work here as Harry became slightly less tense. "Of course, but only on your terms, Harry."

Taking a deep breath, Harry held it for a few seconds and then let it out. This was followed by another and then another. Once he felt calm enough, Harry began to speak. "It started when I was walking with Neville to meet Hermione and Ron at Hagrid's hut..."

As he continued his story there were various reactions to what they were hearing. There was a flash of anger on Nagato's face at the revelation that Quirrel was the one who tried to kill her son both on his broom and, later, in the forest. When Harry got to the mirror, his voice cracked a bit at describing what he saw in it, though there were proud looks on several expressions with Kongou smiling. But then then he got to where Voldemort revealed himself and that smile fell off to be replaced by horror.

Dumbledore's expression turned stony at that piece of information while Haru narrowed her eyes and became thoughtful. Where she sat, Fubuki had to hold back a gag while Iowa rubbed her hand down her face. "Jesus H. Christ..."

Of course, when Harry reached the point where the he killed Quirrel, his voice cracked and he looked nearly on the edge of a breakdown as he relived it. The only reason that he did not was that his mother was there hugging him as Haruna kept her hand on his shoulder while giving it reassuring squeezes. "... I... I didn't want to kill him..." Looking up, Harry fixed them with tear filled eyes. "I just wanted... I didn't want to die and... wanted to see you all again..."

Holding him close, Nagato closed her eyes before kissing him on the forehead. "Harry..." When he didn't look at her, Nagato then placed her forehead against his. "Harry, look at me." Once he did, she continued. "I do not think of you any differently. If anything, I am so happy that you are here with us."

For several moments, Harry tried to say something when there was a scrape of a chair and then Hachi walked up. Taking one of his hands and placing it against his cheek, she took a deep breath. "Harry-Chan, you know all about Hacchan's past, right?"

Confused, Harry nodded before he shook his head. "Y-yeah, b-but-"

Suddenly, the Submarine cut him off. "You know of Hacchan's past, but do not hold it against me. Trust me when I say that you did nothing wrong. This Quirrel and Voldemort are... like Hacchan's crew." Gasps could be heard as various shipgirls and Goto's shot her surprised looks, even as Harry's eyes widened. "They would not have felt like Harry-Chan is right now. You regret taking a life so that you could live. People like Hacchan's old crews, Quirrel, and Voldemort? They would enjoy taking it. As far as Hacchan is concerned, Harry-Chan is a far, far better person then them. Do you hear me, Harry-Chan?"

Tears spilling out of his eyes, Harry sniffled as he looked down at the blonde haired girl. "H-hai..."

Fubuki then spoke up. "She's right Harry-Chan, none of us feel any differently about you and we're all just happy that you're here with us. And I agree with Hachi-San, you are by far a better person because you regret it and feel this way."

Across from her, Kongou nodded. "I've had some terrible people for crews, Harry-Chan. You are worth a hundred of them because you feel bad about this, Dess."

Hands folded on the table, Dumbledore looked at his reflection in sorrow before he took a deep breath. "They're right my boy, there was nothing wrong with what you did. Quirrel made his choice and by the time you met, he already had one foot in the grave."

That caused Goto to frown as he looked at him. "How would you know this?"

Sighing, the elderly wizard shook his head. "I know a few things about the type of possession that was performed here. The spirit possessing the person slowly feeds off them magically and draining their life force until all that is left keeping the victim alive is the possessing spirit itself... until it can no longer."

Eyes wide, Iowa shook her head. "Fuck, you mean..."

Dumbledore grimaced slightly. "Voldemort would have gotten the Stone before regaining his body, leaving Quirrel there to die. There was an apt thing that I heard a muggle say once that describes this perfectly... he was already dead, he just did not know it. You see, Voldemort has little more mercy for his followers then he does his victims."

A sniffle escaped from Harry. "Is that... supposed to make me feel better, Professor? Because it really doesn't."

Slowly, Dumbledore shook his head. "No, I suppose not." Then he sighed a little. "Harry, my boy, as much as I would like to leave it lie... would it be possible for me to retrieve a copy of the memory of the incident. So that we may all see it?"

Thoughtful, Goto furrowed his eyebrows. "Would it have any effect on Harry?"

Leaning back, Dumbledore frowned. "No, but it would give us all a... better idea. And I wish to confirm a few thoughts as much as I would like to leave this lie."

However, Haru then chose to speak up. "No need of that, I have... a better method. Onmyoudo has many applications, including divination. And while most think seeing the future is this, the past can also be seen." She then turned towards Harry with a gentle expression. "You would not need to re-experience it. If you want, I can have you asleep while we look."

After a few seconds of thought, Harry nodded before he looked at Dumbledore. "C... can I ask some questions first?"

Looking over his glasses, Dumbledore finally nodded. "Of course, but the truth can be a great and terrible thing, Harry. And there are some questions that I cannot answer for you quite yet as you are not old enough. I will not lie to you, so what I cannot say I will tell you that I can't. You have earned that much."

For a few moments, Harry looked torn before he nodded. "W-what's going to happen to me now?"

The elderly teacher gave him a sympathetic look. "Nothing, Harry. You see, I am the head of the Wizangamot, which is not only the top legislative body, but also functions as the highest court in Magical Britain. And so I rule that this is a case of self-defence." Ignoring the narrowed eyed looks given to him, Dumbledore nodded. "Therefore you have nothing to worry about."

Licking his lips, Harry tried to think of another question only for Nagato to speak up. "Why did his touch burn him, Headmaster?"

He watched her over the rims of his glasses as he replied to her question after some thought. "As you know, Harry's mother died in an attempt to save him. Such a sacrifice born of the pure love that a mother holds for her child is something that a person such as Voldemort or one whose soul is filled with greed, hatred, and ambition such as Quirrel could never understand. It leaves it's own mark upon a person, but not a physical one. No, you would never find a scar, a marking, or any sign that one can see. It leaves a form of some protection that would remain forever more. One that would be so pure and good that a being such as Voldemort or even, sadly enough, Quirrel, could never stand to touch."

There was a thoughtful look on Haru's face before she nodded. "I... have heard stories about how powerful a mother's love after death could be, but never did I think that I might see an example."

Meanwhile, Harry turned this over in his head for a few moments before nodding. "I... he mentioned my parents. Did... did he go after them because of me?"

Both wizards watched each other in silence before Dumbledore sighed. "Alas, that is one of the questions that I cannot give a full answer to you as of yet. But as you have proven to be able to handle some..." He stroked his beard a little before he nodded. "I can tell you, however, that your parents had been marked for death by Voldemort before he even knew that you had existed. You see, they were a thorn in his side during the war against his followers, fighting and capturing a number..." Dumbledore's eyes narrowed some. "And yes, it being a war, they had killed some when they had no choice, Harry. And they were not the only ones among the resistance against Voldemort."

As Harry blinked at that, he swallowed. "They... they did?"

With a nod, Dumbledore's expression became far off. "Those were times in which they had no choice. It was a dark deed I suppose, but committed against those who had done many dark deeds in a dark time. One must recognize both the circumstances and the nature of such an act when it is committed. Such things were... inevitable at the time." He then snapped out of it. "I myself have killed Harry, in order to protect others. It is a hard thing to deal with once committed and should never be easy. It is the fact that wizards such as I, or you, regret each death that makes sure that we never become like those we fight." For several moments, Dumbledore was silent before he shook his head. "Those who fight monsters should take care, lest they become ones themselves."

Kongou then spoke up. "And if one gazes into the Abyss for too long, they'll find that it gazes back."

That got her a surprised look from Dumbledore, but he nodded. "Quite." Then he turned back to Harry. "As to what happened, it shall take time. Once cannot get over such a thing in merely one conversation..." Dumbledore then trailed his eyes across the others in the room. "I dare say though that you have many who would be willing to help you, if only you ask."

Grunting, Goto folded his hands in front of his face. "My door is always open if you need to talk, Harry. No matter what."

From where she sat, Naka nodded. "Same here, Chibi." She then gave him a wink and a thumbs up. "Naka-Chan takes care of her number one co-host after all."

For the first time in the entire conversation, Harry smiled a bit. It was a ghost of a smile, but one nonetheless and everyone counted that as a victory. Then it fell away. "Professor... what about the Stone?"

Sipping his drink, Dumbledore considered what he was about to say before nodding. "Nicholas and myself had a talk and it was decided that the Stone that was within the mirror will be destroyed. It is for the best after all."

Eyes wide, Harry stared at him. "But... won't that mean that they'll die?"

On Dumbledore's face, there was a sad smile. "Perhaps, but once one lives for so long, dying becomes more like laying down to sleep after a so very long day. The Next Great Adventure is not something to be feared, after all." Suddenly, he chuckled. "It's quite strange you know. The Stone may not be quite the wonderful thing that people think. Eternal life and all the gold you want... but then, you would find those you once knew dying of old age while you do not. And gold makes for very poor companionship. It's quite strange, but us humans at times chose that which is the worst thing for us."

Biting his lip, Harry slowly nodded before he remembered something. "Um... he also said that Professor Snape saved my life at the Quidditch match. But why? I thought that he disliked me."

There was silence for a few seconds before Dumbledore shrugged a little bit. "A part of the reason that Professor Snape dislikes you is that years before you were born, your father saved his life."

Several heads whipped around at that with Kongou coming out with the word on all their minds. "What."

Nodding, Dumbledore chuckled. "Yes, rather surprising to be honest. It left him indebted to a man he hated. I suppose that in some small way, he can now go back to hating your father's memory in peace."

Even though he was not quite sure, Harry accepted that before he turned towards Haru. "I... I'm ready for that spell now." Walking over with a ofuda in her hands, Haru placed it on his forehead. "Just relax." As his eyes closed, Harry could hear her next words. "For everyone else, please turn to the wall behind him..."

When he awoke, it was to several pale, ill faces. Much to his surprise though, it was Goto who did any damage as the armrests for his chair broke under his grip. "Um..."

Hugging him tightly, Nagato shuddered a bit. "Hearing it was one thing, but seeing it..."

Iowa just shook her head. "Kiddo, that was just some majorly fucked up shit."

Slowly, Harry nodded. "Yeah... I know."

Feeling an hand on his arm though, he turned to see a slightly pale Fubuki giving him a smile. "After that, I feel like we need a pick me up... how about you, myself, and Hachi-San go and hit the ice cream shop?"

There was a sound and Harry and Fubuki found a card being slid across the table. Looking up, they saw Goto shaking his head. "Go out and enjoy yourselves, it's on me."

Gently pulling him to his feet, Fubuki gave him the best smile that she could. "Now, all we got to do is tell Yuudachi and Mutsuki to meet us..."

Moments later, they were out the door along with Hachi and Goto groaned. "Just the verbal description was bad enough, but that? I am not looking forward to seeing John's reaction to this."

Blinking, Dumbledore frowned. "John?"

Softly snorting, Goto shook his head. "Admiral John Richardson, United States Navy. He's in charge of Sasebo with Mutsu, Nagato's sister, as one of his ships. As it involves Harry, she needs to be informed which means he does as well. Hopefully they keep Jane from it, but..."

Nagato only sighed. "Mutsu... is not going to take it well. And I doubt that Arizona will either."

From where she sat, Naka shook her head. "Neither will Jintsuu. Kami..." Rubbing her face, she only sighed. "After seeing that, I need a drink."

No one disagreed with her on that.

 

[darthcourt10]

Harry Leferts

And now for a look elsewhere in the world. In particular, a place that some of you have wondered about...
________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Ripples splashed against the ladder before a greyish-blue arm rose above the water and gripped one of the rungs. With a powerful heave, the arm it belonged to pulled the rest of the body out of the water with another arm following. It was not long before the swimsuit clad body reached the top of the ladder, the water sloughing off easily while gills closed. A three fingered hand though stopped before the teenaged girl's face and she looked up to see a smiling form. "Here, let me give you a hand up Azure."

Gripping the offered hand, Azure was soon on the dock and wringing out her hair. "Thanks, and glad that's over..."

There was a frown on the human face as she raised one silvery white eyebrow. "Bad?"

Just shaking her head, Azure let out a sigh which revealed the rows of sharp teeth in her mouth. "Yeah... I caught sight of no less then three Abyssal Submarines. They're getting closer and closer. Akeme."

Worried, the other teenaged girl bit her lip before shaking her own head, whitish-silver hair whipping back and forth. "I really wish that you weren't the one doing this, Azure. You're my best friend and every time you go out I just worry..." Chuckling, Azure reached over and flicked the spiral horn that came from the otherwise normal forehead. As her friend smacked her hand away, the girl grinned getting a shudder from Akeme. "And stop grinning like that, you know that it freaks me the hell out."

Lightly laughing, Azure just pulled her friend in for a hug. "Why do you think I do that? Your expression is hilarious every time!" Her expression softening, Azure looked out at the blue waters of the sea. The calm waters hiding the danger below. "Besides, we both know that I'm one of the best for this. I'm too small for the Abyssals to really notice with sonar, my coloration disguises me, and I can dive too deep for them to follow easily." She then tapped her snout. "Besides, while they can't track me, I can track them more easily."

Huffing, Akeme glanced to the side where a boy leapt into the water, his black and white fluke glistening in the sun. Moments after entering the water, he surfaced and there was a burst of air and mist from a hole in the back of his neck before he dove again. Another patrol heading out, though not as far as Azure ranged as they kept an eye out for the Abyssals who kept coming closer and closer to their home as the ICW slowly withdrew.

Quickly shaking off that thought before it spiraled into darker places, Akeme glanced back at her friend who was grumbling as she began to rub a lotion into her skin to keep it moisturized. While most of those on their island could pass as human except for the odd animal features such as ears, tails, horns, or scales and feathers, there were others such as her friend who could not. Said people, called 'Throwbacks' or 'Beastmen' by some of the wizards, were more animalistic. The clack of her hooves against the cobblestone also reminded Akeme that some of those same wizards considered her such as well, though she looked perfectly human unless one looked closely and noticed her three fingered hands, horn, and hooves.

A laugh caused her to look where a boy with a wolf tail and ears was buying some grapes from a massive snake woman who also let out a hissing laugh as she shook her inhuman head. Hearing a grumble, she smiled at Azure who was suddenly embarrassed. "Hungry?"

That got a half-hearted glare before Azure sighed and nodded. "I guess... I haven't gotten anything to eat since I ran into a school of squid out at sea earlier today. And swimming makes you really hungry."

Needless to say, the response she got was exactly what she had expected as Akeme grimaced and gagged. "How can you eat that stuff raw!? Argh, gross!"


Once more grinning, Azure pulled her friend into another half-armed hug. "Don't knock it until you've tried it. Trust me, it's not bad at all." She then gave Akeme a snort. "Besides, I don't give you any crap about eating that green stuff."

Akeme gave her a huff and shook her head. "Vegetables are perfectly good for you! Besides, I don't mind squid... as long as it's been cooked and been dead longer then an hour."

In reply, Azure shrugged. "Wouldn't know, I can't eat vegetables remember?"

Nodding, Akeme held back a sigh at another facet of her friend's state, that her diet was limited to meat only, was once brought up. Then she shook it off. "Anyways... Erik's then?"

For a moment, Azure gave it some thought and then nodded. "Erik's."

The two of them shared a smile and then walked on before the unicorn girl cleared her throat. "So... any news on why Dumbledore ran out on that meeting with your mom a few days back? I mean, sure, she's scary for a cat woman, but..."

Crossing her arms, Azure frowned as she remembered what happened with the meeting between her adopted mother and Albus Dumbledore. The cat woman had taken her in after her own parents had been killed when she was very young by what some assumed to be Abyssals. "Nope, Mom hasn't told me anything. Though..." She looked around and frowned before leaning in. "She's been in more and more meetings with Johnathan."

Eyebrows furrowing, Akeme blinked. "Johnathan? The Irish Muggleborn?"

Only nodding, Azure glanced around. "Yeah, don't know what about but from what I caught he apparently is getting us stuff from people he knows. For when the ICW leaves fully."

Shuddering and rubbing her arms, Akeme bit her lip. "So they're doing it then? They're just going to leave us here to die?"

Within moments, Azure pulled her best friend into a hug. "Yeah... but don't worry about that. Mom will come up with something since she's our leader. Besides, I'll kick any Abyssal's ass that tries to come after you while I'm around. You know that."

Just sniffling, Akeme nodded and hugged her friend back. "Y-yeah, I know." Once she pulled away and wiped her eyes, she blinked a bit. "Look at me, I'm such a crybaby huh?"

Grinning, Azure let out a snicker. "Yup, which is why I've always had your back since we were in Preschool. Those bullies didn't know not to pick on you until the bigger predator, me, came by and showed them that they were small fry. And the Abyssals are the same way." Neither commented on how they both knew that the last bit was a lie. "Now come on, there's some fish that I hear calling out for me."

Simply letting out a sigh, Akeme nodded. "It's always calling out for you..." Suddenly, she grinned and began to run. "Last one there needs to pay for the meal!"

For a moment, Azure blinked before she took off after her friend. "Hey! No fair, Akeme!"

 

[darthcourt10]

sasahara17

Here's another quick snippet I figured would be a natural follow on from the whole 'ham and cheese subs write a book' thing. Cheers!

-=-

When Tunny called for an emergency meeting of all the submarine ship girls present in San Diego, including those who were just visiting, they had assumed the worst. It was sudden and unexpected, two things that never boded well, and the sheer urgency which she had been seen running around the naval base beforehand had hinted that something had greatly alarmed the Gato-class submarine.

Considering that Tunny was one of the most respected remembers of the silent service, the other submarines knew that something big was going down. However, when they had all shown up at the meeting proper, well… what Tunny had in store for them was something that none of the submarines could have predicted.

"What the hell do you mean, 'the Limey Subs have published a book'?" Halibut said incredulously.

"I meant what I said. The Royal Navy submarines have written a book," Tunny held up the colorful, hardcover book in question for the rest of the room to see. "It's called 'Ship Girl Infiltration Tactics and Strategy for Absolute Beginners', and it just went on sale three days ago."

"What? Why didn't anybody hear about it?" Wahoo asked in confusion.

"I don't know. I only just found out about it myself," Tunny admitted abashedly, "Just went on Amazon to buy a new backpack and found it on the top of the bestseller lists for kindle. It was just… there."

"And the hardcover?"

"On sale down at any local bookshop," Tully informed them, "I got mine at the new Kinokuniya that opened up down the road from the base."

There had been no press releases or media coverage that would have forewarned of the book's release, something especially weird considering that was about ship girls. Indeed, there wasn't any news about plans for distribution, translation of the books, or anything of the sort!

Much like the submarines who had authored it, the book had just appeared in bookstores across the globe one day, suddenly and completely warning, and had pretty much taken the entire world off guard… but now that it was here, there was no getting rid of it.

"Um, Tully… it says here that it's a kid's book," Cavalla said as she looked up from the screen of her smart phone, which she had just used to do some checking of her own, "Published by Penguin, meant for ages five and up. What in the… the Royal Navy went and authored a children's book?"

"Yeah. Yeah they did." Tunny confirmed. "It's written like some kind of instruction manual meant to teach surface warfare ship girls how infiltrate a secure location."

"What the fuck? They're publishing trade secrets? Publishing submarine trader secrets… in a children's book? The fuck are they thinking?" Darter exclaimed in alarm, a knee jerk reaction shared by several other submarines. After all, while the sub-thieves of the United States Navy were quite confident in their own abilities, having several of the secrets of silent service getting published in a book would make things unnecessarily difficult for… future operations.

"Well no," Tully quickly replied to allay her sister's concerns, "Like you I thought that's what they were doing. Then I actually read it. No, no we're in the clear."

"How can you be so sure about that?" Darter asked.

In response, Tully flipped open the book, turned to chapter four, and presented it to her sisters for their perusal. "There is an entire chapter this book there about the correct and proper use of life sized cardboard cutouts as tools of infiltration. It goes on for about twenty pages. Then the chapter after starts discussing possible uses of cardboard boxes, the chapter after that is how to distract patrolling guards using toys and kitchen appliances…"

"…what."

"Yeah, that was about my reaction as well."

"So wait… if this book doesn't have any of our trade secrets, that means it is just a children's book right? That it doesn't have anything of real relevance to us, right?" Growler growled in annoyance, quite peeved that the book, and the meeting itself, was turning out to be a colossal waste of her time, "What the fuck are we doing here then? Those idiot brits want to make themselves look stupid by writing a children's book, they can go ahead and be my guest. I'm not going to lose sleep over it."

"Growler has a point there. So long as what they do has no impact on us, then I don't see why we should be so concerned about what they do," Dace agreed, "So they wrote a book. Big deal. Why should we worry about this thing, anyway?"

"Because this book has sold three million copies to date." Tunny answered.

Safe to say, Tunny had the attention of every submarine in the room after that little depth charge.

"In three days, despite not having any press coverage or media campaign to let people know about it, this little children's book has sold three million copies in three days," Tully informed her follow submarines in as serious a voice as she possibly could, "It had no press coverage and a cold launch, and it is selling well. Really well. Projections show it's outing to sell at least five million copies in the United States alone."

"How in the goddamn…" Dace whispered in shock.

"It's a damn funny book, okay?" Tully sighed.

"Fourteen, ninety nine for a book including taxes, three million copies... even if we take only an average of 10% royalty for the author, we're talking… holy shit that's a lot of money." Cavalla said as she set down her smartphone, "Jesus Christ, if my calculations are correct… those crazy brits are making more dough through Royalties in three days than we have in the last year."

The submarines of the United States Navy sat together in the meeting room in silence as they digested what they had just heard. Their counterparts in the Royal Navy, the loudest, most obnoxious submarines to ever exist, were making cold, hard money through royalties from a children's book.

A children's book.

"So, yeah. The reason I called you all here today is because, well, I wanted to try and write our own book to get some of that. If the Brits can do it, I think we can, too," Tunny admitted with a sigh. "So, uh… are any of you girls in or out?"

-=-

A/N – It just occurred to me that other submarine services might have some initial reactions about the ham and cheese subs publishing a book about infiltration (especially since it is their trade and all that). Obviously the Brits aren't stupid enough to put anything in there that would give their secret skills away, especially true since the stealth 'skillz' for a surface warship will be different from those used by a submarine, but I'm sure the immediate reaction from the other subs would be 'WTF dude!, are you trying to get us all killed?'. The other submarines would calm down eventually once they actually sit down read the book, but that would be the initial reaction, I think.

 

[darthcourt10]

sasahara17

Here's another quick snip regarding an old idea that I had over in the KanColle Fanfic idea thread that I thought would fit in quite well with the wonderful world of Harry Potter and the ship girls.

-=-

Harry sprinted through the halls of Hogwarts as fast as his legs could carry him, his lungs burning as exhaustion threatened overcome him. However, despite his exhaustion, the young wizard continued his mad flight across the halls of the castle.

He wasn't even sure if there was anyone still pursuing him, and didn't dare turn around to check… but honestly, did it really matter? After the one sided slaughter that he had just witnessed in the Quidditch pitch, the only thing on Harry's mind was getting to safe harbor. Everything else could wait.

Thankfully safe haven wasn't too far away. Just ahead was the portrait of the Fat Lady, the door to the Gryffindor Common Room, and safety.

"Ah, Mister Potter," The Painting greeted as the boy drew near, "What's the pass-"

"Semper Fidelis, please let me in!" Harry practically screamed at the painting. The Fat Lady, realizing the poor thing before her was in no shape to talk, quickly swung open, thus allowing the tired, bedraggled and exhausted Harry Potter to stumble into the common room like a half dead zombie.

Collapsing to his knees once he was through the portal, Harry took in large gulps of fresh air as he attempted to calm his racing heart. He'd made it. Against all odds, he'd made it. He'd been so sure that it had been all over that time. But, somehow-

"Hands up where we can see them, Potter." Dean Thomas hissed warningly. "You know the rules."

Unable to turn down Finnegan's demands, Harry raised both arms in a gesture of surrender as he slowly got back to his feet and looked towards where the other surviving Gryffindors were watching him wearily. Set about ten feet from the entrance of the common room was a makeshift barricade made out of spare pillowcases and upturned tables.

Behind said barricade were two Gryffindor students acting as sentries, preventing anyone from getting past them into the dormitories where the other survivors were. These guards were keeping their weapons all trained on Harry, and it was clear they all had itchy trigger fingers.

"I'm still alive." Harry told them simply, and pointed to the red cloth that was still wrapped around his arm "Look, I'm not wearing a bandanna on my head, alright? It's here, on my arm, as it should be."

A few more, tense, seconds passed… before two sentries let out simultaneous sighs of relief.

"You're still alive. That's a bloody miracle, that's what it is." Dean said, setting down his weapon and beckoning Harry to come behind the safety of the fortifications.

"Sorry, Harry. We… we're a little twitchy right now," Seamus apologized quietly as he handed Harry a bottle of cold water, which Harry quickly drank up to sate his thirst, "When we saw what was happening down in the Quiddtch pitch from up here, we thought…"

"Yeah, I know," Harry shook his head tiredly, recalling the horrible events that had occurred not too long ago, "It was an ambush. A bloody ambush. We got surrounded on all sides, and got drowned out through sheer numbers. It was a slaughter."

"Did anyone else make it? It was so chaotic none of us could tell what was happening from up here," Dean asked, his sad tone hinting that he already knew the answer.

"I don't know," Harry replied morosely, "It was bedlam down there. One moment we were getting our supplies, the next… zombies. Zombies everywhere."

It was the worst, most well executed ambush Harry had ever seen in a game like this.

One moment Harry and sixteen other Gryffindors were getting ready to move the box of supplies, the next… headband wearing students were running at them from every conceivable direction. The last thing Harry had managed to do was give the general order for everyone to scatter and retreat back to the common room before the whole area had descended into general chaos.

Now Harry was here, the only survivor of their expedition to replenish the Gryffindor survivor's dwindling supply of foam Nerf Darts that had made it back thus far… and unless the other survivors were simply taking a longer route to get back, apparently the only survivor from the doomed escapade.

"I didn't even manage keep my weapon. I had to use it as a distraction to get away at one point." Harry recalled having to ditch his depleted Retaliator as a decoy ploy to evade Ron, Fred and George, who had been dead set on 'bringing him into the fold'. It had worked, but it had left the Gryffindors down a Retaliator that they really could have used in the future.

"Sixteen of us, in a single day," Dean shook his head ruefully, "This is getting ridiculous. Ever since Ron and Hermione went over to the other side it's been ambush after ambush with no end in sight. I know those two are smart, but come on!"

"I'm more concerned about the fact we didn't get those supplies," Seamus muttered, "We needed those extra darts, guys, and Harry losing his weapon on the way back isn't going to help us either."

"Don't forgot all the other stuff the rest of the team had with them. We're not getting any of those back either." Harry mumbled.

"We still have our socks." Dean pointed out.

"Like socks are going to help us." Seamus grumbled.

The Gryffindor team's store of Nerf darts had dwindled to the point where they couldn't even keep all their blasters fully supplied. Even with the recycling of used darts, the nature of the battles they waged inevitably meant that there would be darts that couldn't be retrieved after use… and after six days of struggle, their once amble stocks of munitions was almost depleted.

That supply run, a lifeline extended by the moderators, would have been the crucial lifeline that would have brought the Gryffindors from the brink. Alas, the zombie ambush had instead turned it into a farce where another sixteen members of the team had joined the enemy.

"If there is one consolation to this, though… the Hufflepuff and Ravenclaws will be having their mandatory missions after this," Harry said, "if I'm the only survivor… that means the zombie team now has sixteen more bodies they can throw at those poor sods."

"You're hoping that they give those guys a harder time than they did us?" Seamus raised an eyebrow at Harry, who gave a small savage smirk in response.

"Yeah. With luck, they'll bloody the other teams' worse than they did us… and I know that Ravenclaw's supply situation is even direr than ours," Harry said with a wide smile, "We might still have a chance at making Gryffindor the first Hogwarts Humans versus Zombies Campions after all!"

-=-

"Headmaster, I think this is getting a little out of hand. I mean, it's been six days already and, well, I've never quite seen the student body get so worked up over something so… barbaric."

"It's all rather fun, isn't it?"

"Sir, some of our students are wearing war paint. There are foam darts all over the hallways, there's always some kind of chase going on somewhere in the school… young Mister Longbottom was running around beating other students over the head with a foam sword and shield!"

"Only those wearing headbands, Minerva, and if I do recall Mister Longbottom is now wearing a headband himself."

"Only after ten older students hanged up on him, and not after he'd gotten eight of them. It's a right mess, Sir, and I'm only thankful it's happening during the winter break and not while there are classes! Professor Dumbledore… are you really sure about this?"

"Quite sure, Minerva. Quite sure. Now… lemon drop?"

-=-

A/N – FYI, this is a small extension from the time I wrote about Fubuki getting involved in a game of Humans Versus Zombies with the Americans over in the KanColle Fanfic Discussion thread. Can't remember where it was, though, but it was pretty fun. I figured that since Hogwarts is a school, and HvZ is best enjoyed in school, the student body at Hogwarts could enjoy a game of it.

 

[darthcourt10]

Harry Leferts

As the group walked into the ice cream store, a few of the customers there looked up and then decided to ignore them. It wasn't a rare sight to see shipgirls from the base that they were just outside of come in for some of the cold, creamy goodness after all. Though a few, if they were knowledgeable, might have raised eyebrows at the way the group was arranged around the black haired boy in the middle. If not for the fact that one of the girls was obviously a Submarine, it would have been a classic Escort pattern. Coming to a stop, Fubuki frowned and tapped her chin as she took in the shop. As always, the young woman just behind the counter caught her attention. Not just for the cooling vest she wore either.

There were not too many women in Yokosuka who had pure white hair and pale skin. Looking up, the woman smiled at them as she took them in with her eyes, both blue and almost looking like chips of ice. "Hello, you five. And Harry-San, I was not expecting to see you for at least another week!"

Each of the shipgirls were happy to note that Harry had a small ghost of a smile on his face. It wasn't much of a smile, but it was an improvement. "Some... stuff happened and I came home early, Miyuki-San."

Unnoticed by Harry, but something flashed across Miyuki's face before she glanced at the shipgirls, who had the uncomfortable feeling she knew more then they wanted. Then she was smiling again. "Well, it's good to see you anyways. So come on over here and let's see what I can make you today, hm?"

Before Harry could say anything, he felt the card that Goto had given Fubuki pressed into his hands. "Fubuki-Nee?"

The Destroyer just winked at him with a slight smile. "We'll go and pick out a seat while you and Hachi go and get us out ice creams, okay?" Once he nodded and walked off, Fubuki took a deep breath. "Let's take that booth, okay?"

Seeing the booth that Fubuki was gesturing at, Mutsuki only raised an eyebrow. It would give them a good view of the ice cream parlour so that they could know when someone was approaching. However, if she was curious, she didn't ask before nodding. "Okay, Fubuki-Chan."

It was only after they sat down that Yuudachi turned to her friend with a frown. "Fubuki-Chan?" When said Destroyer turned her, Yuudachi frowned. "What's going on, Poi?"

For a few seconds, Fubuki's jaw muscles worked before she sighed. "It's going to be all over the base soon enough, but... You both heard about what happened with Harry-Chan at the end of the year, right?"

Mutsuki searched her friend's face for a moment before nodding. "Yes? Harry-Chan was kidnapped and attacked. Why?" Narrowing her eyes for a moment, she then gasped. "How bad?"

Swallowing, Fubuki stared first into Mutsuki's eyes and then into Yuudachi's before letting out a shuddering sigh. "Bad... really, really bad." As she sighed, Fubuki reached up and rubbed at her eyes with one hand. "Harry-Chan was forced to kill his... to kill that man at his school, Quirrel."

Ignoring the gasp from Mutsuki, Yuudachi growled. "What?"

Not answering right away, Fubuki glanced to where Hachi was seeming to take her time examining the choices and talking with Harry. Said boy was also being pulled into conversation by Miyuki. "It would take to long to tell, but, here."

Placing her hand down, Fubuki's sleeve moved until some of her Fairies came out and jogged across the table to where Mutsuki and Yuudachi were. Both Destroyers glanced at her before putting their own hands down and accepting the fairies into themselves. Almost a minute passed as the expressions on both Destroyers shifted through various emotions. While Mutsuki just placed her hand over her mouth, Yuudachi's eyes began to glow in anger. "Well, seems that I have someone who I will be inviting to a Nightmare Party, Poi~"

A shudder ran through Fubuki before she shook it off and glanced at Harry. However, a hand brought her attention back to Mutsuki who had grasped hers. "Harry-Chan doesn't actually think that we would..." When Fubuki sighed, Mutsuki just shook her head. "Oh, Harry-Chan..."

There was a small frown on Fubuki's face before she shook her head. "Just for the next while, Harry-Chan might need us to keep a look out for him. And if we see him start slipping..."

Yuudachi just threw her fist into the air. "Cuddles for the Cuddle God, Hugs for the Hug Throne, Poi!"

Both Fubuki and Mutsuki stared at her for a moment before looking at each other. At seeing the looks they were giving the others, the two burst into giggles. "Yuudachi-Chan, that was..."

Closing her eyes, Yuudachi stuck her tongue out a little bit as she grinned. "Poi!"

It was then that they heard Harry and turned to see him looking between his surrogate sisters in confusion as he held the tray of ice cream. "Um... what's going on?" All he got though was mysterious smiles before Fubuki moved to the side to let him sit down. Then Hachi sat down next to him and grinned at his confusion before the three Destroyers started to laugh when he tilted his head to the side. "Poi?"
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

With a gasp, Harry sat up in his futon with his blankets clinging to his sweat soaked frame. Inside his head, the last echoes of his nightmare bounced around in his head, Quirrel's screams chief among them. 'J-just a dream... that was all it was... just a dream...'

Unnoticed by him, a fairy slipped out of his room. A few minutes later though, there was a soft knock and Harry turned to see Nagato looking in. "Can I come in?" Getting a nod, the Battleship slipped in soon followed by Hoppou. Not saying anything at first, Nagato crouched down and then rubbed her son's back gently through his shirt. "Bad dream?"

For a second, it looked like Harry was about to shake his head. But then, upon feeling Hoppou clutch his arm and looking down to see her worried expression, he sighed. "Y-yeah... a really bad dream, Mum. About... you know."

Only nodding, Nagato frowned. "I see..." Then she pulled him into a hug and kissed his brow before pulling back. "Do you want to talk about it?"

There was silence from Harry as various emotions flashed across his face. And then they settled and he closed his eyes and shuddered. "I... was back there fighting him..." It went without saying that he did not need to say who "Him" was. "A-and he was burning again. B-b-but this time you and the others were there and..."

Still gently rubbing his back, Nagato nodded though she suspected what he was about to say. "And..."

Just taking another breath, and letting it out, Harry gulped. "Y-you all turned your backs on me and... called me a murderer. Said that I was not worthy of b-being your son and..."

Nagato was about to comment on that when Hoppou beat her to the punch and brought her hand down in a pap on Harry's head. "Silly." As Harry blinked at her, she frowned before hugging him. "Hoppou loves Big Brother and would not say mean things about him. Big Brother not what he thinks he is, Hoppou says so! Big Brother is Big Brother."

The simple, plain belief in that statement was a balm to Harry's soul and he gripped the small Abyssal tightly even as tears tried to squeeze from the corners of his eye. "T-thank you..."

Another voice then chose that moment to speak up. "They're right, Master." Turning, they were met by the sight of Rose there with a look of sadness and grief on her face. Slowly, the tsukomogami stepped around the family until she came to a spot where she could kneel and then pull Harry into a hug. "I would never turn my back on you, Master...." For a moment, Rose bit her lip and then nodded as she said something that surprised everyone. "Harry. You are not a murderer and I shall not have you consider such lies, do you understand me, Harry?"

Blinking, Harry stared at her. "I... you called me Harry..."

On Rose's face there was a blush before she nodded with all the confidence she could scrounge up. "It does not feel right to call you Master at this moment, you are family after all."

Much to her surprise, Harry then hugged her tightly. "Rose... I... thank you."

Shiromizu then spoke up from her tank and Harry looked over at her. "{And if you don't want to believe them, believe me when I say that they're right. You're no murderer, Harry. And if it comes down to it... I much rather that you are here with us then someone like Quirrel.}"

Even though she could not understand what the snake was saying, Nagato nodded at how Harry had a slight smile on his face. 'I wonder when I should tell him...' Shaking that thought off and filing it away, Nagato then summoned some of her fairies which marched off. At Harry's look of confusion, she smiled at him. "They're getting us something... By the way, Rose, you wouldn't happen to have something that would help us sleep some."

With a slight smile, the tsukumogami pulled out some mugs and filled with a concoction that caused Nagato to raise an eyebrow which caused Rose to give her a slight smile. "Some nice Ovaltine should help us get some sleep."

Taking the offered mug, Nagato sipped it as she watched both Harry and Hoppou drain theirs. Out of the corner of her eye she could also see Rose do much the same. By the time her mug was done, her fairies had returned with various blankets. Tossing Harry's sweat soaked ones into the wash bin to get cleaned in the morning, Nagato then nudged Harry until there was some room on the bed before laying down. "Come on, just like old times."

It took Harry a few moments before he smiled and nodded. Snuggling into his adopted mother's side, he let out a sigh as he felt protected. As if none of his nightmares would be able to touch him now with Nagato's armor protecting him. Then he blinked as Hoppou laid down in such a way that she was on top of Nagato, but cuddled into her brother. However... that was when the real surprise happened and Harry could feel Rose lay down on his other side. "Rose?"

Face flushed slightly, Rose gave a small smile. "While normally it would not be proper, Harry... I think that in this case I may make an exception."

Relaxing, Harry only gave her a nod. "Thank you, Rose."

That caused her to brightly smile at him. "You're welcome, Harry."

If she could have, Shiromizu would have smiled. But nonetheless, she slipped out of her cage and slithered across the room until she had reached Harry. Then, gently coiling, Shiromizu made herself comfortable on top of Harry. "{There, now none of those dreams will dare bother you.}"

Now almost unable to hold back tears, Harry nodded as he hissed back. "{Yeah... you're right.}" Slowly, Harry then drifted off to sleep surrounded by his family.
___________________________________________________________________________________________________

Somewhat tired, Eugen walked up to the door to her and her sisters' quarters only to blink at a sound inside. For a few seconds, she stood there listening before she opened the door and walked in to see Hanna hurriedly shoving things into suitcases. "Hanna? What are you doing?"

Pausing for a moment, Hanna didn't turn before she resumed her packing. "I'm packing my bags. There's a place that I need to be, Schwester."

Just leaning against the door, Eugen considered this before nodding. "And that wouldn't happen to be Yokosuka, would it Hanna?"

Once more, the Natural Born paused before she tightly gripped the clothes in her hand. "You heard what happened to Harry?"

Humming, Eugen walked towards her with sadness in her eye. "I have."

With a shudder, Hanna squeezed her eyes tighter. "Harry... he should not have had to do that. He should not have to deal with what that means, what taking a life means."

A moment later, the Heavy Cruiser swept her sister up into a hug. "No, he should not have to." Feeling her shirt start to become wet, Eugen only gently stroked her sister's hair before nuzzling her head. "You're right, he should not deal with such a thing. But fate can often be cruel to us all and all we can do is deal with it."

Unable to help herself, Hanna gave a shudder as images ran through her mind. Of the feeling of a skull giving way beneath her fist. Of the sounds of bones breaking and howls of pain. Of a black haired boy comforting her, even though he did not know nor care why she needed it. "I... I need to be there for him. Like he was for me."

Gently humming, Eugen nodded as she rocked back and forth. "You can do no less, Hanna. And for what it counts, I am proud of you my Schwester for this." After getting a tearful chuckle, she continued. "Now then, if you would wait for a bit I shall talk to the Admiral. I am certain that he will be able to get us transport to Yokosuka so that you can get there much quicker."

That caused Hanna to blink before she looked up with tearful eyes. "Us?"

Nodding, Eugen smiled. "Us. Harry is not just your friend after all. And I cannot let you go alone, but I can be there to support you." Using her thumb, Eugen then wiped away the tear tracks beneath one eye before continuing with the other. "Now, dry those tears and allow me to make the arraignments, ja?"

With a tearful chuckle, Hanna nodded before tightly hugging Eugen. "Danke, danke..."

 

[darthcourt10]

Harry Leferts

Slowly chewing through a bagel as she stared ahead deep in thought, Naka blinked as she felt a finger tap her on her shoulder. "Naka-Nee?"

Turning, Naka's face lit up in a smile at seeing Harry standing there. "Chibi!" With a slight laugh, she reached out and grabbed Harry in a one armed hug. "Good morning!"

On Harry's face there was a slight blush, though he smiled. "Good morning to you too."

A smile still on her face, though it was a slightly sad one, Naka examined his expression. "How are you feeling today, Chibi?"

Grimacing a little, Harry shrugged. "Okay, I guess..."

With a small nod, Naka patted the seat next to her. "Come on then, come sit next to your Naka-Nee then, okay? I could use some decent company."

Beside her, Sendai blinked and then gave her a glare as Harry sat down. "Hey! What am I?"

Looking at her, Naka gave a snort. "I can tell you what you aren't, decent company." She then turned to Harry and staged whispered. "She was going on the other day about liking the rainy season because the Destroyers need to go running through the rain with their clothes sticking to them. "

Unperturbed, Sendai only shook her head and shrugged. "What can I say? I like seeing those cute little Destroyer-Chans like that. Almost as much fun as YASEN!"

Only scoffing, Naka shook her head as Harry began to eat his scrambled eggs. "Can you believe her, Chibi? And she wonders why she gets banned from bars."

Swallowing, Harry wagged a finger at her. "Destroyers are not for lewds."

With a snort, Sendai smirked. "Not all Destroyers-Chans. Besides, in a few years-"

Before she could get much further, Naka grabbed her mouth and narrowed her eyes. "He is not for lewding either."

Just blinking, Sendai rolled her eyes. 'Yet.'

Pulling her hand away before her sister could bite it, or worse, lick it, Naka gave her a small glare. "Maybe I should ask Jinstuu to come up here for a bit. She'd straighten you out."

Sendai gave a shudder at that. "No, thank you! Next thing you know she'd be trying to get me to eat lots of vegetables. And getting rid of my food!"

That only caused the Idol of the Fleet to give her a blank look. "All you got for food is instant and junk food."

Crossing her arms, Sendai nodded. "Exactly! The best kind of foods!" Then she scowled and held a clenched fist in front of her face. "Not that Jintsuu agrees with me..."

By this point, Harry was grinning at the often heard argument. Unknown to him, of course, that was the whole point between Naka's and Sendai's playful little spat. Seeing the grin, both Light Cruisers determined that their mission was a success and went back to eating, though Naka was watching something. Feeling another tap on her arm, Naka blinked and looked over at Harry. "Yeah, Chibi?"

A frown on his face, Harry huffed a bit. "I'm not a chibi."

In reply, Naka only ruffled his hair some. "Yes, you are. You'll always be my chibi after all." At his huff, she grinned a bit more. "So, what seems to be the problem then?"

His reply though brought her up short. "I was wondering why you were staring at Kaga-Oba and Kana-Chan..."

For several moments, Naka was silent before she put her food down. Taking a deep breath, the Light Cruiser closed her eyes and let it out. "I... was just thinking of sisters."

Just frowning, Harry looked over at where Kaga and Kana were sitting next to each other. "Sisters? But don't you have Sendai-Nee and Jintsuu-Nee?"

Lips twitching, Sendai nodded. "Yeah! Chibi is right-Ow!" As she rubbed her nose, Sendai frowned at Naka. "What the heck was that for?"

Naka just glared at her. "Chibi is my nickname for him, get your own." Ignoring the grumbles, Naka then turned back to Harry. "Anyways... you're right that I have sisters. But there were supposed to be eight of us, though only four were laid down."

That caused Harry to frown in thought. "Wait... who was the fourth?"

It was Sendai though who answered him. "That would be Kako."

However, if anything, that confused Harry even more. "Kako? But... she's a Furutaka class, right? And that's a Heavy Cruiser, not a Light Cruiser."

Slowly, Naka nodded. "And you would be right." There was a far away expression on her face as she took a bite of food and chewed it before swallowing. "Kako was laid down but they only worked on her for a month before she was scrapped due to the Washington Naval Treaty. They... used her materials and budget as well as name for the one that you're thinking of."

Wincing, Harry bit his lip. "Oh..."

All Naka did though was reach over and pat him on the head. "It's not that big of a deal, Chibi. Anyways... it's more Kaga and Kana that was interesting to me."

More then a little confused, Harry furrowed his eyebrows in thought. However, when he could not figure out what she meant, he tilted his head to the side. "Poi?" Then he frowned. "But... you're not a converted warship... are you?"

Laughing, Naka shook her head. "No, I'm not." She then considered her next answer carefully before nodding. "Anyways, as to your question? My hull was laid down in 1922 and I was going to be launched in 1923, a month after the Great Kanto Earthquake. But... something happened."

Eyes wide, Harry leaned in. "Something happened? What?"

Naka paused for a moment to look at Sendai who wasn't looking at her. "Well... during the earthquake, my hull caught fire. It was so damaged, they had to scrap it and re-lay me down. Hence why I wasn't launched until 1924. It's just..." There was a far away look in Naka's eyes as she leaned her chin against one hand. "If Kaga has a twin because of what happened... does that mean that I might have one?"

For several moments, Sendai thought that over before frowning. "Huh... never thought of it like that." Suddenly, she snorted. "Man, more then one Naka. Can you imagine it for a moment? All kinds of Nakas being here."

In reply though, Naka reached over and smacked her older sister ship in the back of the head. "Yasen-Baka."

 

[darthcourt10]

sasahara17

I'm not sure if Harry Leferts ultimately went with the idea that Inazuma and Ikazuchi's father happens to be in the Royal Navy, but this snip is going to assume that he is. I've also modified the concept a bit in that Mr. Drake is the captain of the Type 45 Destroyer *snerk* HMS Dragon (D35) instead of my original idea of having him be in charge of the HMS Albion because… um… reasons.

Anyway, let the awkwardness ensue!

-=-

It had been a long time coming, but Captain Nathaniel F. Drake was finally the Victoria Cross that he so richly deserved.

Drake had guided his faithful ship, the missile destroyer HMS Dragon, through the worst years of the Abyssal War. He'd managed to hold the line through is innovative tactics and strategies, many of which were eventually adopted as standard protocol by NATO forces. HMS Dragon's daring escapades in enemy held territory were the stuff legends were built upon.

Many believed that Captain Drake was the only reason the Falklands were free from Abyssal occupation.

If there was a man in Her Majesty's Royal Navy that deserved such a prestigious award, it would be Captain Drake. Drake was famous enough both at home and abroad he'd practically earned it already, and all that was left to make the award official.

Given Drake's high profile, it was natural that the award's presentation would have to be a public affair. Many among Drake's crew would also be getting their own prodigious awards, but everyone knew who was going to steal the show.

The plan was to have the presentation of the award take place when HMS Dragon returned to Britain to finally undergo her long overdue refit. It was unusual for such a ceremony to be held on the deck of a warship since most awards took place in Buckingham palace, but HMS Dragon hadn't been back in the home islands in years and it was felt that the crew of HMS Dragon's would appreciate the gesture.

Besides, with the revelation ships had souls just like humans, everyone knew that it would be remiss to leave out one of the most important members of Drake's loyal crew!

It was going to be a big affair.

Dozens of reporters from newspapers from all over the globe were going to be there. Hundreds, if not thousands, of well wishes were also going to be in attendance. Practically everyone wanted to see this legendary war hero get the highest award for gallantry in the United Kingdom…

…including two young girls by the names of Aki and Ami Matsuda, also known as the natural born ship girls Ikazuchi and Inazuma, who were elated that their biological father every bit as awesome as they had believed him to be.

To say they were excited would be an understatement; for years they had wondered who had been the man who had fathered them in that one night stand all those years ago. To have him be revealed to be Captain Nathaniel Drake, Hero of the Royal Navy, was like a dream come true for the two young girls. Their dad was a hero, and he was getting the Victoria Cross.

There was, however, one little problem that war marring their happiness…

"Wait… Mom doesn't want to go to Dad's ceremony?" Ikazuchi exclaimed in dismay in, "But… but why? We got the invitation and everything… Why can't we go?"

"Mama said we could, Ikazuchi-chan," Inazuma quickly replied before her more energetic sister did something hasty based on a knew jerk reaction, "She said it's okay if we attend as his daughters, nanodesu. It's just that she doesn't want to go with us, nanodesu!"

Because Inazuma had been the only one of the four Akatsuki sisters to escape punishment after one of their recent escapades had gone wrong, she had been the only one had been home with Tenryuu while the invitation to the award ceremony had arrived… delivered by hand by a Royal Navy sailor, of all things. As a consequence, the 'youngest' of the Akatsukis (and the older of the two Matsudas) had been the only one around to see her mother's knee jerk reaction to it.

It wasn't good.

"But… but why?" Ikazuchi tilted her head in confusion. "I know Dad well enough to know he would be ecstatic if Mom were to show up."

"Mama thinks it'll be embarrassing if she shows up, nanodesu." Ikazuchi said with a sigh.

Despite now being in her teens, at least in mind if not in body, Ikazuchi could still be quite innocent, naïve and idealistic at times. Ikazuchi wouldn't see any problem with Ryoko Matsuda turning up at Captain Drake's big day, and it was up to Inazuma to enlighten her.

"Papa is a big war hero. He's won so many battles and saved so many people, and everyone respects him for that, nanodesu," Inazuma explained, "But because he went and got mama pregnant when he was younger, she think it'll make him look bad on his big day if she shows up… especially with all those reporters around, nanodesu."

"That's a load 'a crap, and you know it," Ikazuchi declared, folding her arms stubbornly and gave an angry pout, "If Mom was really worried about having a reminder about him knocking her up when they were dumb kids, then we would be the real problem. Instead she says we can go, and she is gonna be the one to sit this out. Besides, we're war heroes too! Nothing strange about war heroes showing up at another war hero's ceremony as a show of respect."

"Ikazuchi-chan…?"

"You know what I think? I think Mom's just scared about meeting Dad with all those people there," Ikazuchi mused thoughtfully, "I know Dad said something to Mom they last time they met that's got Mom all jumpy and stuff. Dunno what it is, but I know Mom can be awfully twitchy when it comes to touchy feely stuff like this… Hm…"

Uh, oh. Ikazuchi now had that familiar look on her face, one that Inazuma had since learned to be wary off. That look meant that Ikazuchi was planning something crazy to get her way… and her plans were the kind that Marines and Sailors tended to come up with when they were bored.

So no, that was NOT a good thing.

"Ikazuchi-chan, um… I don't know if whatever you're thinking is going to be a good idea, nanodesu," Inazuma said to her sister, hoping to head this potential disaster off at the pass, "Maybe you should sit down and think about it more carefully before you decide to go and do something, nanodesu…"

"Nah," Ikazuchi snapped her fingers, the young destroyer's face lighting up with excitement as she came to a determination about her next course of action, "Don't worry about it, Inazuma! I got just the thing to make Mom show up at Dad's big day. Just sit tight and wait here while Big Sis takes care of everything, 'kay?"

"Ikazuchi-chan, wa-"

Before Inazuma could do anything to halt her sister, Ikazuchi was already out the door and was racing off in the direction of the HQ building… clearly intending enact whatever plan she had devised to make sure Tenryuu would be there at Drake's ceremony.

"Uh oh, nanodesu." Inazuma sighed.

This was not going to end well, nanodesu.

-=-

A/N – This is probably non-canon since I haven't really seen Inazuma and Ikazuchi's biological father appear in any of Harry Leferts' snips and don't actually know for sure what Harry's plans for the mysterious dad actually are, but honestly this just makes me more curious.

We know Tenryuu knows who he is by this time in the story, so.... Who is the Dad? What is his actual relationship to the extended Matsuda family? What role does he play in their lives, if any?

I hope we can see him show up for reals in the future in a canon snippet. In the meantime, we have this I guess.


EDIT - OMG, I just had a crazy thought.

We know ship girls who have, um, 'rings' have their 'limiters' (forgot the exact term) removed, thus allowing them to attain a level of power that they won't normally have access to.

What if this phenomenon, when discovered, is the final straw that prompts the biological father to finally bite the bullet, stop dodging his unresolved feelings about Ms. Ryoko Matsuda... by diving off the proverbial deep end by proposing to her straight off the bat?!

I know she's probably going to smack him in the head really, really hard for the audacity of coming to her out of the blue, dropping to his knees and giving her a really, really expensive ring... but what happens after?

What if he's serious about marrying her and becoming a part of her family, and this ring thing is just the catalyst needed to put a boot up his ass and get moving? What about her own feelings on this matter? What about Aki and Ami?

I know this is all speculation... but man, Soap Opera time!

 

[darthcourt10]

Harry Leferts

Unable to help himself, Harry let out some snickers at the look on Sendai's face, which Naka took internally as a victory. Once he was able to control himself, Harry continued chewing his food before he frowned as a thought occurred to him. "Naka-Nee?" Getting a hum, he continued. "What do you think that the other Naka might, um, be like?"

That caused Naka to pause for a moment and think. After a few seconds she finished off her bagel and clapped her hands together as she answered. "You know what, Chibi? That's a very good question." Thoughtful, Naka looked up at the ceiling before she finally shrugged. "I... honestly don't really know."

Frowning, Harry furrowed his eyebrows in thought. "Huh..."

Within a minute though, Naka filed her thoughts away for another time before grabbing an apple and biting into it with a satisfying crunch. "So... what are your plans for today, Chibi?"

Just finishing off the last of his eggs, Harry shrugged a bit. "Niiyodo-Chan wants me and DesDiv6 to head out to some island with her. Something about hot springs."

Blinking, Sendai suddenly grinned. "Hot springs on an isolated island, huh? Just you, a Light Cruiser, and a bunch of Destroyer-Chans-OW!"

Yet again, Naka flicked her in the ear before turning back to Harry with a slight smile. "Sounds like a trip out to Hanashima."

Confused, the black haired boy looked over at her in confusion. "Hanashima?"

Slowly, Naka gave a small nod before ruffling his hair. "Yeah, it's one of those hidden islands nearby. No one has been able to find a name for it anywhere, so we just named it after all the flowers on the island. It's rather beautiful actually."

Leaning back, Harry crossed his arms against his chest and tilted his head to the side. "Huh..."

With a slight smile, Naka brought up her fork and gestured with it. "So... what exactly are you all going to do over there?"

Moments later, Harry shrugged and went back to eating. "Don't know really, we're supposed to be meeting Akitsu Maru over there. Apparently they want our opinions on something thanks to our clubhouse."

It took a few seconds before Naka smiled as she leaned back. 'Smart, Niiyodo... really smart.' Shaking it off, the Light Cruiser gave him a smile. "Well, I'm pretty certain that you're going to do a pretty good job."
All she got was a small grin at that.
_____________________________________________________________________________

Held safely by the hands clasped beneath him, Harry glanced up at the slightly flushed face of Niiyodo who was the shipgirl holding him. "Are you okay?"

Looking down, Niiyodo gave him a slight smile. "I am, just... thinking of something." Then she bit her lip before giving a nod. "How are you doing though, Harry-Chan? Comfortable?"

In reply, Harry smiled back up at her. "Yeah, I am." Leaning back against Niiyodo, Harry missed her becoming slightly more red. "You're pretty comfortable."

Niiyodo swallowed slightly though she gave him a smile. "That's good to hear." A glance to the side though showed Hibiki giving her a slightly raised eyebrow which caused Niiyodo to give her a sheepish smile back. "A-anyways... we're nearly there."

Confused, Harry looked around best that he could. However, there was nothing he could see except for open ocean. "Um... we are?"

A moment later though he blinked as he felt a tingle carress his skin. Then before them, as Niiyodo nodded, an island appeared in a shimmer. "As a matter of fact, we're there now." Seeing Harry's mouth drop open, Niiyodo had to hold back a small giggle. "Kind of impressive, isn't it?"

Slowly, Harry nodded as his eyes roved across the coastline of the island which had a small enscarpment which he frowned at. "Is that... dirt?"

Knowing what he was looking at, Niiyodo nodded. "We think that one of the earthquakes caused the island to be uplifted more then it was... but we don't know which one."

However, that was when Harry's attention was caught by a pale skinned shipgirl striding across the island in a black uniform. Coming to a stop, said shipgirl gave them all nods before saluting Niiyodo. "Sir, welcome to Hanashima."

Somewhat embarrassed by the greeting, Niiyodo gave her a salute back. "Um, thanks."

Nodding, Akitsu Maru gave a small smile to Harry before she took up her place at the head of the small group as they continued to make their way towards the island. Then Niiyodo's attention was grabbed by Harry looking up at her. "Sir?"

Her face slightly red, Niiyodo scratched her cheek. "Um, Onee-Sama gave me command over the project of making this a place that us shipgirls can relax without problems..." Internally, she winced as she remembered one incident. 'Such as being stared at...'

What she did not expect was for Harry to look up at her and smile. "That's great! Ooyodo-Oba's made a great decision because then it's in great hands."

Flustered, Niiyodo tried to ignore the amused looks on the Destroyer's faces at that. Though it was the slight, almost missed, upturn on Akitsu Maru's lips that caused her no end of embarrassment. 'She's enjoying this...' Quickly shaking it off, Niiyodo took a deep, calming breath before looking towards the IJA shipgirl. "So how goes the project so far?"

Akitsu Maru nodded some and smiled. "It's going much faster then I had expected. With Maruyu-San's help with taking rocks from underwater nearby and bringing them up, I have managed to build a ramp beside the beach as you can see."

Looking in the direction given, Niiyodo only raised her eyes in some awe. Where there was once a slowly decaying pier, now there were two lines of stones and boulders jutting out to sea. Between them, big enough for two or so shipgirls with rigging, there was a ramp that slowly climbed upwards that had concrete blocks with stone between them. Off to the side though on the beach was something that caused Niiyodo to blink. "What's that?"

With a glance in the same direction, Akitsu Maru smiled a bit. The small hot spring visible that had flowed out of the enscarpment before vanishing into the sand now flowed down a small, tiled channel until it met a sheltered area of seawater created by several stones that were just high enough to stand above the high tide line. "It was a small idea that I had while my crew were working."

Even from where they were, something about the softly steaming seawater called to the shipgirls and they all wanted to take a dip. However, they put that aside as they heard a sound of rotars and looked up to see what looked like a tiny helicopter come in. It soon landed on Akitsu Maru's flight deck which she nodded at. Watching as the fairies tied a small bag of materials to it, Niiyodo nodded and adjusted her glasses. "Impressive."

Harry though was curious about something and frowned. "Did you move all that stone by yourself?"

A moment later though he blinked as Akitsu Maru chuckled and shook her head. "No, I had help." Holding out her clenched hand, she opened it to reveal what looked like a tank in it which had a bulldozer blade attached. "I have been... inspired, by some things that I have seen."

Intrigued, Niiyodo only nodded as she looked. "I see..."

Minutes later though, they were all standing at the top of the ramp with Niiyodo letting Harry down with the boy looking around in awe. "This place is amazing!"

Crossing her arms against her chest, Niiyodo nodded. "It is a beautiful spot..." She then turned towards Harry with a slight smile. "So, I suppose it is time to talk about what we need you for."

That caused Harry to look at DesDiv6 before he slowly nodded. "Something about our clubhouse, right?"

Niiyodo gave him a nod at that. "That's right." She then gestured at the island around them. "We were thinking of using something similar here on the island for us shipgirls. A place to get changed or to simply rest between the uses of the hot springs."

Much to her amusement, that caused Harry to frown in thought before he began discussing things with the rest of the Akatsuki sisters who looked rather excited.
___________________________________________________________________

Being put back down onto the ground at Yokosuka, Harry smiled up at Niiyodo. "Thanks for the ride there and back, Niiyodo-Chan!"

With a chuckle, Niiyodo looked around before ruffling his hair. "You're very welcome, Harry-Chan." Then she looked up at the sound of pattering feet. "Hmm?"

At that moment a panting Natsumi came into view and spotted them. For a moment her eyes were wide before her expression turned stormy and she stomped over to them. Despite something telling him to be scarce, Harry only blinked. "Natsumi-Chan?"

Once she reached him, Natsumi pulled him into a hug. "Harry-Chan no baka!" Then she bopped him on the head with her fist. "Baka!"

Rubbing his head, Harry winced a bit. "Ow, what was that for Natsumi-Chan?"

In reply, Natsumi pulled him back into a hug. "I've been looking all over for you, Harry-Chan. And you've been avoiding me!"

Sheepish, Harry glanced around. "No I haven't..."

Unfortunately for him, Hibiki chose that moment to speak up. "Yes, yes he has."

Giving her a betrayed look, all the black haired boy got was a slight upturn of her lips. Meanwhile, Natsumi gave the Destroyer a nod. "Thank you, Hibiki-Chan."

Face red, Harry couldn't look at Natsumi directly as he coughed. "Um... so why were you looking for me, Natsumi-Chan?"

With a huff, the kitsune pulled away slightly and gave Harry a narrowed eye look. "I've been looking for you all day, Harry-Chan. And don't say that you were busy because Niiyodo-San did not take you wherever until the afternoon."

Mumbling, Harry shrugged. "Kind of... been thinking all day."

Natsumi gave him a look before she sighed and leaned against him. "Oba-Chan told me what happened, Harry-Chan." She ignored how he stiffened before she continued. "And you got no right to feel guilty, Harry-Chan. Especially as my best friend is still here with me. And if you think otherwise, then you're a even bigger baka then normal."

A slight blush on his face, Harry just hugged her back. "Sorry."

Tilting her head back, Natsumi stared at him before snorting. "You better make up for avoiding me so much, Harry-Chan."

Slowly, Harry frowned before he chuckled weakly. 'Oooh, boy...' At her look, he winced a bit. "Sure, I'll make it up to you, Natsumi-Chan."

Before he could say anything else though, she began to smirk. "Great! Then I'll see you tonight for the sleepover at your place! You're going to be there, right, Hibiki-Chan?"

The Destroyer in question just gave a thumbs up. "Khorosho."

Finally snapping out of it, Harry looked between the two of them. "Wait, what? Since when-"

However, he got no further as Natsumi stood up on her tiptoes and gave him a kiss on the cheek even as she blushed. "Great, see you tonight, Harry-Chan, make sure to have stuff to make snacks."

Gobsmacked, Harry opened his mouth a few times as the blushing Natsumi rushed off before he could get anything out. "I... that... what... but... what?"

And then he got the second shock as Hibiki then gave him a hug and a kiss on the cheek. "I'll see you tonight."

Watching as the flushed Destroyer walked off followed by her sisters, Niiyodo looked between them and Harry, who was making an odd noise. 'What just happened?'

Meanwhile, Ikazuchi had an sly look on her face as she examined her sister. "My, my, what was that, Hibiki-Chan~?"

Hibiki simply tilted the brim of her hat down somewhat. "I was just distracting him so that he won't think too much about what happened at his school."

Beside her, Inazuma frowned but nodded. "That makes some sense, Nanodesu."

Nodding, Akatsuki smiled. "Very lady-like."

Their attention was grabbed though as Ikazuchi chuckled. "My, my, is that why you say you did that, hmm~" Shrugging, Ikazuchi closed her hands and put her hands up with palms facing upwards. "I wonder what Kaa-San will say about that?"

When she opened her eyes though, she froze as Hibiki's face was nearly touching hers. "Kaa-San will not find out about what just happened. It would not be... Khorosho."

Eyebrow twitching, Ikazuchi felt some sweat gather on her forehead. "B-but-"

If it was possible, Hibiki got even closer to her sister. "Or perhaps... it would not be Khorosho. For you."

Still twitching, Ikazuchi swallowed nervously and then nodded. "S-sure, I won't say anything to Kaa-San, Hi-Hibiki-Chan..."

The white haired shipgirl gave a nod at that and then looked at her other two sisters who quickly nodded in agreement. With that secure, she walked off as Inazuma tried to get her fear under control. "Hibiki-Chan can be scary..."

Only nodding, Akatsuki and Ikazuchi gulped.

Unnoticed by them though was the smirking Tenryuu who was just out of sight looking at her phone which had a picture of Hibiki giving Harry a kiss on the cheek. "Hmm. Well, well, well... Such a shame that Kaa-San already knows then, Hibiki-Chan~"

For some odd reason, Hibiki felt a shiver go down her back and looked around nervously before she continued to make her way towards the Matsuda family quarters. After all, she had to get ready for tonight.

 

[darthcourt10]

sasahara17

Veeeeeery short snip today, but one that needed to be put out because it is too damn funny.

-=-

When Ryoko Matsuda had discovered Nathaniel F. Drake, Hero of the Royal Navy, was the biological father of her daughters, she had expected to be sailing into choppy seas. Considering how high profile Draken was, she had expected a media debacle to ensure over the scandal, followed by possible legal battles for custody of her kids and other horrible stuff to happen now that he was back in her life. After all, the last time she'd run into him, he'd knocked her up and left her alone.

It was natural that Tenryuu had expected the worst.

Thankfully, nothing of the sort happened. Drake had turned out to be a decent bloke when all was said and done, and in retrospect Tenryuu might have been panicking a bit too much when she envisioned all those calamities.

The initial media coverage of the scandal quickly gave way to feelings of adoration. Aki and Ami were way too cute for the public to focus on anything other than their adorableness, and with Tenryuu and Drake both being war heroes media focus shifted to the merits they'd achieved since their one night stand. Instead of the one night sand being regarded as something shameful, the mass media and general public eventually decided Aki and Ami were happy accidents to be celebrated, and quickly moved on.

Drake, being a reasonable and upstanding guy he was, didn't even consider fighting for custody (not that he would have had snowball's chance in hell, but the point stood). In fact, Drake was very understanding of their situation, what with being in the military himself. Sure he wasn't too happy his daughters were on the front lines, but he understood why it had to happen… and more importantly, that Tenryuu was there protecting Aki and Ami was something he was immensely grateful for.

In fact, Drake had immediately reached out to Tenryuu and asked if she needed any more assistance from him to make her life easier. She'd turned him down of course, she had never needed his help before and she wasn't about to start now, but privately breathed a sigh of relief that he wasn't a total scumbag out to wreck her life. Quite the opposite in fact.

All the potential disasters she'd feared would happen never crystalized. Instead, despite the roller coaster of emotions that she'd had to endure, the Matuda household had walked away from the affair in a much, much better position they had had going in. While Tenryuu was still unsure where Nate fit into her life, at very least she knew he was a friend. All in all, things had been looking up for Tenryuu. For a moment, she'd thought she'd managed to find clear seas again.

And then, just when she had let her guard down... she met Nathaniel's mother.

Francesca Drake, grandmother to Tenryuu's children, was elated that her son had finally given her grandkids, and had rushed over to Yokosuka to see them. The old woman had instantly fallen in love with Aki and Ami and, amazingly, the rest of DesDivSix. Francesca was so enamored with the new additions to her family, that she had decided to permanently relocate herself to Yokosuka to be closer to them. The old woman was retired after all, and needed something to do now that she had all this free time on her hands.

Grandkids seemed like just the thing!

Now, despite her own private reservations and worries, Tenryuu had been largely okay with that. Aki and Ami seemed to love their paternal grandmother, and Tenryuu refused to deprive them of that love no matter the cost to herself. That meant Tenryuu would put up with the woman no matter what Francesca thought of her for their sake. For her kids, Tenryuu decided that she would endure anything the old woman would do to her...

...but alas, her resolve didn't factor in things like Tatsuta and Francesca taking her out clothes shopping for pretty dresses.

"Oh, look at this one, dearie!" Francesca swooned as she picked off a rather expensive looking number, one that showed off waaaaaay too much leg, off the rack and presented it to Tatsuta, "It's Tenryuu's favorite shade of purple, and the gold dragon motif matches her perfectly!"

"Ara, ara... you're right as usual, mother in law!" Tatsuta clapped her hands together in agreement, "It will be perfect for Tenryuu-chan to wear for her next date with Nathaniel-nii-sama!"

"Sen-sational! We must get her to try it out straight away!" Francesca agreed with a cheer.

For her part Ryoko Matsuda, the reincarnated Japanese Ship Girl Tenryuu, remained frozen in place where she stood watching the pair in abject terror. Not for the first time, Tenryuu wondered how her life had come to this. None of her expectations about the most ancient and noble House of Drake had panned out the way poor Tenryuu had expected, and this was no different.

Tenryuu could deal with being hated, being regarded as the shame of the Drake family. Life as a single mother had been hard, and the feelings of scorn Tenryuu had expected to receive from Nate's mother would have been like old friends to her. Believing that she was far from the ideal daughter in law a 'traditional Englishwoman' would fancy, what with her hot temperament, roguish demeanor and overall lack of decorum, Tenryuu had been prepared to deal with long hours of dealing with Francesa's scorn.

The Light cruiser could have dealt with that.

Instead, Francesca had shown up… and fell in love with every member of the Matsuda household almost instantly. In fact, far from Tenryuu's predictions, Francesca had quickly decided that Tenryuu was the daughter she never had but always wanted. Courageous, independent, fiercely loyal and utterly devoted to family and duty… Francesca saw those qualities and decided that Tenryuu would be just a good an addition to the House of Drake as her two little daughters. THIS was the brilliant young woman that Francesca knew would the perfect bride for her son. They should get married!

Tenryuu had no idea how the fuck to deal with that.

And then Tatsuta… oh sweet heavens Tatsuta. Francesca and Tatsuta got along like a house on fire. If Tenryuu was the daughter Francesca always wanted, Tatsuta would have been that orphan girl that Francesca would have burned down the orphanage to take as plunder (seriously, there had to be something very wrong with that woman if she had been able to say such a thing with a straight face).

Two peas in a pod those two… and that was a very, very big problem in itself.

"Tenryuu-chan!" Tatsuta beamed with that terrifying smile as she handed the dress to the still frozen Tenryuu, "Here's another dress mother and I picked out for you to try. Why don't you go back to the changing rooms and put it on for us while mother and I go look at makeup to pretty you up?"

Tenryuu, still clothed in the pencil dress that the pair had last forced her into, looked up at the ceiling pitifully and cursed whatever powers that be decided that Francesca Drake would be anything other than a stereotypical snobby old crone that turned her nose up at the foolish youths around her. Oh, why couldn't Francesca have just hated Tenryuu like in the movies?

"Tatsuta...! The departmental store has a wedding cake sale in the basement! Let's go down and reserve some things in advance for Nate and Tenyuu's wedding!" Francesca called excitedly out from near the escalators.

"Coming, mother!" Tatsuta said as she skipped, skipped, off to where the woman was waiting... leaving Tenryuu to wallow in her misfortune alone.

"I hope Nate is finding this as distressing as I am," Tenryuu sighed, "How the heck am I going to deal with this?"

-=-

Enter the (not quite yet, but will soon if she has her way) Mother in Law.

How she appears in my mind's eye theater:

Obviously she isn't going to appear exactly like this (she's a brunette for one), but this is the template I was working from when I was devising her character) ​

She's a pretty cool old woman who may or may not have once served in MI-6 in some capacity. More importantly, Franceca took one look at Tenryuu-chan, decided chuunimomboat is the perfect waifu for her son, and now has gone into full on shipping mode to get them hitched.

Can Tenryuu and Nathan survive this latest trial, especially since Tatsuta has gone over to the dark side, and Aki and Ami love their cool grandma, and El Draque is using all her old MI-6 contacts (wait, what…?) to help her son and (future) daughter in law attain happily wedded bliss!

It appears that Tenryuu may have a problem here.

EDIT – Tidied the snip up a bit and added more bit's in to make it better. Cheers?

 

[darthcourt10]

Harry Leferts

There was a small smile on Harry's face as he leaned back before hearing a giggle that made him look up. At seeing the smiling, purple cat onesie clad Shinano though, Harry only blinked. "What?"

However, all Shinano did though was wrap her arms around the eleven year old sitting in her lap and hum. "Just that I like seeing you enjoy the movie is all." Unsaid was the rest of her thought. 'Especially after what happened.'

Meanwhile, Harry only shrugged a bit and snuggle more into the giant Carrier's embrace. "Well... it's a pretty good movie."

A laugh caused him to turn to beside him and Shinano where Louisiana was also stretched out with a t-shirt and some short shorts for what she was wearing. Though besides clothing, another difference between her and Shinano was that Lousiana had Natsumi using her legs and lap as a cushion. "You would be right about that, mon chéri! It's a very good movie." Reaching out, she pulled Natsumi in close. "Is that not right, ma chérie?"

Blushing as she found her head laying against Louisiana's chest, Natsumi sighed a little. "Yeah, I guess so." Then she glared a bit as Louisiana grabbed another handful of popcorn. "And stop eating all the snacks!"

In reply though, Louisiana only shrugged. "Sorry about that, ma chérie." Suddenly, there was a twinkle in her eyes as she held one of the popped kernels in front of Natsumi. "Perhaps... you would like me to feed you some?"

Within moments, Natsumi was blushing as she realized how that would look and had her face in her hands. 'Oh, just come on...'

Frowning, Harry glanced over at her. "Wait, I thought that you had peanut butter and crackers? I could have sworn that you had a plate of them."

That, however, only made the kitsune blush more as she looked away. "Um, I sort of... ate them all? Heh..."

Slowly shaking his head, Harry gave her an amused look. "Natsumi-Chan... Only you."

By now, her face resembled something of a tomato before she pouted. "What? Peanut butter is amazing..." At the laughter, she grumbled. "Oh, shut up."

As he shook his head, Harry glanced to the side where Regina was looking at the television screen in awe. He had thought that her, Wanko, and Revina would have been heading home, but earlier was told that they would be staying until the school year was fully over. And though Harry didn't say anything, he knew for a fact that they knew how much that meant for him. "I don't think that I need to ask if you're enjoying it, Regina."

With a slight blush, Regina shook her head as she regarded the screen. "No, it's a good movie... though I, um, haven't seen that many..."

Patting her head, Harry just smiled at her. 'Well, then, we'll have to change that, won't we? I promise that we'll have movies to watch every time you visit, okay?"

There was a bright smile on the Abyssal's face as she nodded. "That sounds wonderful, thank you."

Still smiling, Harry nodded. "You're welcome." It was then that Harry felt Shinano's legs pushed apart some and looked down in time to see Iku lay back with her head now laying in his lap. "Iku-Chan?"

The Submarine just looked up at him and smiled. "What? Your lap is pretty comfy."

Ignoring the snickers from the others or agreements, Harry ruffled her hair to her enjoyment as they continued to watch the movie. After about a minute though, Harry glanced around to see various shipgirls in the quarters, all there for the sleepover. On Louisiana's opposite side to him, the three Akizuki sisters were sharing a carton of ice cream while at their feet, Imuya and Hachi were softly whispering to each other. Between Shinano's and Regina's legs, Hamakaze was also laying back while Isokaze did the same between Louisiana's and Shinano's.

Snuggled up into the two Destroyers' stomachs were RO and Shioi while Maruyu was sitting in Taigei's lap. The Submarine Tender in question had the Akatsuki sisters between her and Regina, sometimes taking some popcorn from the large bowl that Inazuma held. It went without saying that the sight of all his friends here for a sleepover actually caused Harry to relax some. There was something about it that just served as a balm for the hurt in his heart which caused him to smile.

And it was a really good movie.
___________________________________________________________________________

Feeling a hand ruffling his hair, Harry looked up to see a slightly concerned Nagato. "Are you okay with this, Harry? You could wait another day after all..."

With a grimace, Harry just shrugged a bit as he looked at the rope in his hand. "It's only two days, right? And... besides, I... can't really run away from this, can I?"

All Nagato did was lean down and give him a kiss on the head. Most boys Harry's age might have pulled away, but that, plus her next words though only filled Harry with warmth. "I'm very proud of you."

Suddenly, another voice then spoke up. "Ara, ara~ Besides, it's not like you'll be there by yourself." Turning, they regarded Tatsuta who walked up twirling her glaive in the air in various patterns. "After all, I'll be there and accompanying you on the train ride back."

Eyes wide, Harry ran over and gave her a hug. "Tatsuta-Oba!"

Bemused, Nagato raised an eyebrow at the Light Cruiser. "You know, strangely enough that does make me feel a lot better about this. Though I'll be there for at least the first day back as well."

Nodding as she gave the young boy currently hugging her a pat on the head, the infamous shipgirl smiled warmly for a change. "Don't worry, no one is going to touch him... or else I'll touch them."

Despite herself, and the warmness of the June air, Nagato felt a shiver run down her back at that. But she decided to ignore that in exchange for smiling at the sight before her and then checking the time. "Well it's almost time. Did you say goodbye to everyone, Harry?"

Harry just nodded at that. "Yeah, I said goodbye to Taigei-Chan this morning when she left with Iku-Chan, Hachi-Chan, and Imuya-Chan when they left for patrols this morning. Though... Shinano was looking kind of excited when I said goodbye..."

Chuckling, Nagato shook her head as she knew exactly why. And at the look she got from her son, she smiled. "Shinano-San is probably excited because Yukikaze is getting transferred here to Yokosuka and is due to arrive in a week or so. Then she'll have her original escorts with her when she heads out on sorties."

Eyes wide, Harry stared at her for a few moments. "Wait, Yukikaze-San? But I thought that she was stationed in Taiwan as a long term assignment... what happened?"

Lips twitching, the Battleship crossed her arms and looked towards the sky. "Well... as it turns out the Taiwanese have managed to summon some of the Republic of China's shipgirls from... before the war. And as she's been freed up, she asked to be assigned to Shinano-San which they agreed to as a reward for her service during her assignment."

Widely smiling, Harry nodded some as he continued to think. "I should do something... like bake her a cake."

Only shaking her head as some chuckles escaped her, Nagato held out the rope she had been given. "She would appreciate that I think. Now, ready?" Getting nods from both Harry and Tatsuta, Nagato tensed as a few seconds later she felt as if someone had shoved an anchor though her at amidships and then yanked. Around them, the world swirled until it stopped showing the Headmaster's office with Dumbledore there watching with a smile. "Good morning, Miss Nagato, Mister Potter, and..."

Tatsuta just opened one eye slightly before bowing slightly. "Matsuda Tatsuta, please take care of me."

Raising an eyebrow as something he gathered from years of experience told him that she was dangerous, Dumbledore only smiled. "Perhaps I should ask the same of you." If anything though, that caused Tatsuta's smile to widen a touch. "Now then, I believe that your friends have been waiting to see you for a few days now and I sent them a message to wait just outside the office."

A smile on his face, Harry nodded some. "Thanks, Professor."

Just as they were about to leave though, Dumbledore cleared his throat. "Miss Nagato... a moment if you would?"

Gesturing them on, Nagato walked back to the desk and waited. "Yes, Headmaster? You wished to speak to me?"

For a few seconds, Dumbledore was silent before he spoke. "Do you remember how your son asked me why Voldemort was after him? And I explained that I could not tell him then?"

Eyes narrowing, Nagato nodded with a rather large frown. "Yes, I remember." Crossing her arms against her chest, the muscles in her cheek twitched. "I thought that he took that rather well."

With a deep breath, Dumbledore leaned back and let out a sigh. "Quite." Looking her directly in the eye, he gave a nod. "You, however, have as much a right to know what I can tell you and I trust that you would be best to tell when your son is able to understand the weight that is upon his shoulders."

Sitting down, Nagato folded her hands in front of her face. "I see... Please continue."

The elderly wizard and the Battleship stared at each other before Dumbledore nodded. "Shortly before Mister Potter was born, a prophecy had been made. I was the one that it was made to, though Voldemort caught part of it."

Nagato only raised an eyebrow. "One which states that Harry will fight Voldemort, I presume?"

It went without saying that Dumbledore was somewhat surprised, but nodded. "That is correct. I... prefer to keep the whole prophecy secret at the moment. However, I can tell you the part that one of Voldemort's Death Eaters overheard and brought to him." Getting a nod, he cleared his throat and closed his eyes. "The one with the power to vanquish the Dark Lord approaches... born to those who have thrice defied him, born as the seventh month dies..."

Opening his eyes, he regarded Nagato whose lips were moving as she repeated it. Then she looked up. "Are we sure that this means Harry though? Surely there were a number born at that time."

Simply sighing, Dumbledore gave the answer that Nagato was hoping not to get. "I'm afraid not. There's... more to it then I gave you, but I wish to keep, I believe that your military would call it, OpSec?" At her nod, he continued. "OpSec and spread it around as little as possible. However, as to there being any others? There were two boys born to parents who had 'Thrice Defied' Voldemort at the end of July that year. Defied in this case meaning having fought him and escaped I believe was what Voldemort thought. After all, they did not submit to him."

Now thoughtful, the Battleship nodded. "I see, that makes a certain amount of sense. So Harry's parents were one, and the other was...?"

Humming, Dumbledore looked at one of his many instruments. "The other was none other then Mister Longbottom's parents." At Nagato's look of surprise, he nodded. "Yes, Mister Longbottom was the other possibility. Though Voldemort went after Mister Potter's for... various reasons. If he had been more patient, he would have perhaps waited to see who would be the true threat. But at the time, he was so close to victory..."

With a snort, Nagato shook her head. "That he decided that he was going to stop any threat right then and there before it could stop him. And ended up bringing about his downfall... I hate prophecies."

To her surprise, she got a nod from Dumbledore and a chuckle. "Trust me, Miss Nagato, you are not the only one. I, too, have a certain amount of distaste for the subject. Far too many deaths and other disasters have occurred because of such after all, either from people attempting to bring them about or to stop them before they happen and thus causing them." Then Dumbledore reached into his desk and pulled out a small, wooden box. "As well, I have a small... gift, for you and yours."

Confused, Nagato frowned before she opened the box to revealed a sealed glass container that had glowing symbols etched into it. Lifting it though, she blinked at the sight of what looked like small shards of glowing red crystal inside. "What is this...?"

Slightly smiling, Dumbledore leaned back and glanced at the portraits above him. "After speaking with an old friend, we decided to gift you with the... remains... of an object. While useless for most things, we hope that perhaps it might be of use to you in your fight against the Abyssals."

It took only a few moments for the dots to connect and for Nagato's head to snap up. 'The fake Stone... he's giving me the shards from it which means...' Her eyes were then drawn back to the shards, glowing and twinkling as they danced around. '... This is... very big.' Shaking off the shock, she gave him a smile and then slipped the container back into it's box. That done, she slipped said box into her pants and could feel the energy from it as her fairies brought it to a safe deep inside her hull. Standing up, she bowed towards the Headmaster. "I, on behalf of my Teitoku, thank you for this gift."

On Dumbledore's face there was only a smile. "You are very welcome and I only hope that it can be of help. I do think that I have taken up a touch too much of your time, though before you leave..." He grasped his bowl and held it out. "Lemon drop?"

Laughing, Nagato only shook her head. Several moments later, she walked out into hallway to see Harry pulling away from Hermione's hugs, though she raised an eyebrow at how flustered Hermione looked. "Did something happen?"

All Harry did though was shrug. "Um... apparently Hermione didn't know that we knew that she was a shipgirl..." Scratching his cheek, Harry blinked a the glare she was giving him before sheepishly smiling. "I... kind of saw your hull way back at the beginning of the year."

That though caused Hermione to boggle at him, all her embarrassment and annoyance forgotten. "Wait, you saw my hull? How!?"

Harry only shrugged and then closed his eyes before opening them, and so revealing that they were glowing. "One of the things I learned how to do, it lets me see stuff other people can't, like the hulls of shipgirls." Closing them, Harry reopened them to reveal that they were no longer glowing. "It's not that big of a deal."

Sharing a look with Tatsuta as Hermione started interrogating him over his ability, Nagato still raised an eyebrow as the Cruiser frowned. "What do you have in your mouth?"

In reply, Nagato held out a hand which had some wrapped candies on it. "Lemon drop, want one?"

Bemused, Tatsuta shook her head but took one nonetheless."

 

[darthcourt10]

Harry Leferts

Sitting sideways on Harry's broom as it crossed the lake, Tatsuta hummed as she looked around. "Ara, ara~ Are you sure that we can trust these two, Harry-Chan?"

With a blink, Harry looked back at Tatsuta who had one eye cracked open. "Well, yeah?" He then turned back to continue to keep an eye on their progress. As Harry turned though, he could spot Hermione tightly gripping onto Ron as the red haired boy was flying one of Hogwarts extra brooms. "They've been really interested in summoning, so..."

All the Light Cruiser did though was hum before going back to enjoying their flight through the air. "I see..."

Meanwhile, Harry's mind went back to earlier when an owl arrived that caused him to blink in confusion. Having opened it, he found that Andrew and Melanie had invited him to a demonstration that they had set up across the Black Lake and outside of the wards of Hogwarts. It had taken some doing, but eventually Tatsuta had agreed on the condition of accompanying them.

Being as it was the last full day at Hogwarts, no one was really paying much attention when they left and headed out. Nor did they pay much attention to the two broomstick flying figures or to Nagato who was quickly crossing the lake beneath them with Neville on one shoulder seeing as said boy was still frightened of flying. Pulling ahead of Ron, Harry performed a quick pass and then nodded as he spotted an opening in the cliff face. "That must be it."

Thoughtful, Tatsuta examined the spot and then nodded. "It does match the place described, and there is the flag that they said would be outside of it." Sharing a look with Harry, she nodded. "I've informed Nagato and she has asked that we wait outside for her before we go in."

Harry only nodded as he shuddered a bit. "Yeah... that's probably a very good idea..."

Feeling a hand on his shoulder, Harry turned to see Tatsuta giving him a smile. "Everything will be okay, Harry-Chan. If they should try something, then..." She opened both eyes and gave him a smile. "They shall find that I do not take kindly to those who threaten those under my protection."

Most people would have shuddered at that, but Harry only felt relieved as he set down. "Thank you." Once he did set down though, followed shortly by Ron and Hermione, it was only a few minutes for Nagato to join them with Neville in tow. "Mum!"

Softly smiling, she patted him on the shoulder as she examined the entrance to what looked like a cave. "So this is the place?"

As Harry nodded, Hermione walked up and examined a rock chip that was just outside the cave among a pile. "Huh... this is actually pretty fresh." She then lifted it up for everyone to see. "See?"

Laughter caused them to turn to see Melanie come walking out of the darkness with a torch in one hand. "Well, Andrew and me did dig it out after all." Upon seeing Nagato and Tatsuta though her eyes widened as did her smile. "Oh wow... you brought actual shipgirls here?"

Not quite sure what was going on, Harry glanced at his mother and Tatsuta before shrugging. "After what happened a few days ago, um, no one wants to take a chance."

It took a few minutes, but the Seventh Year Ravenclaw winced. "Right, I heard something about that." Taking a deep breath, Malenie then let it out and smiled again. "Anyways, this actually helps out a lot." She then gestured for them to follow her as she turned to go back into the tunnel. "Especially if you can put in a good word for us."

That caused Nagato to raise an eyebrow as she took up the first position. "Put in a good word for you, with whom? I'm afraid that I don't know much about why you wanted us here."

Fifteen feet in, a heavy curtain that was there was brushed aside and Andrew gave his girlfriend a look. "You didn't tell them, Mel?"

More then a little sheepish, she rubbed the back of her neck. "Sorry. I was kind of excited and... yeah, sorry."

Only raising an eyebrow, Tatsuta glanced around the walls of the tunnel and had her fairies make a note. 'Rather smooth looking for something done in maybe a few months or even weeks. Hmm...'

Shaking his head, Andrew held the curtain open and the group passed through only to blink. Just past the curtain was a chamber that was roughly about thirty feet across with a pit that was about ten feet across in the middle. Part of Nagato also noted that the same pit was fifteen feet deep. Despite the fact that they were deep underground, light was provided by dozens of candles in recessed spaces in the wall or from torches that burned merrily in brazers inserted in the wall. The air was also thick with the smell of incense which caused Nagato's eyebrows to raise as she realized where they were. "A summoning chamber..."

Happy that she had made the connection, Melanie nodded. "Yup! And you're here to see the fruits of mine and Andrew's labors."

Tatsuta though gave her a look. "You understand that summoning is a very little understood process, correct? Something could go wrong in the process."

All Melanie did though was nod. "Well, yeah, we did do our research. On both sides of the divide."

Seeing their confusion, Andrew chuckled some and then placed his arm around his girlfriend's hip. "What my wonderful, though forgetful girlfriend here has forgotten to say is... that my family has some connections and I've gathered information on summoning attempts done by wizards."

Just ignoring how Melanie smacked Andrew in the shoulder, Nagato cleared her throat. "That is great and all... but still does not answer what you are doing exactly and why we're here."

Once more smiling, Melanie began to wag a finger. "Well... Miss Nagato, Miss..."

Chuckling, Tatsuta smiled a bit. "Ara, ara~ I'm Tatsuta."

Her smile falling a bit as her instincts told her that she might be in danger, Melanie continued on. "Miss Tatsuta. Anyways, with you two being here to vouch for us then you can put a good word in for us with the muggle military. Especially with all the work that we've done."

Beside her, Andrew nodded and continued with words that caused Neville to look at him with wide eyes. "Especially with how the Statute might fall in a few years. Besides Mel wanting to do this for... personal reasons, there is also the fact that being on the good side of the muggle military and government is a very good idea."

Eyes wide, Neville looked between them. "Wait, you think that the Statute is going to fall? Seriously?!"

Sighing, Andrew nodded. "Of course it is, it's far too damaged by this point. Trust me, anyone who thinks otherwise is a fool."

Just ignoring that, and now on famililar ground, if only due to dealing with Akashi's and Yuubari's antics for years, Nagato crossed her arms. "Perhaps. It depends on what you're doing here exactly."

Melanie nodded some as she walked towards the pit with several bottles that she levitated over the pit and then emptied. To the surprise of the shipgirls, they could smell seawater coming from the bottles and they continued to pour out well past the point where they should have emptied. In fact, as they watched, the bottom of the pit soon filled up. "We have a theory regarding a certain ship type that has been ignored. And, if we're right, we've figured out how to summon them."

That caused Nagato to blink as did Harry and Hermione, all three speaking at the same time. "Wait, an ignored ship type?"

Nodding, Melanie looked over at them. "That's right."

A chuckle escaped from Andrew as he shook his head. "As I said, it's something rather personal to Melanie." Looking into the pit, he held up his hands. "That should be enough, we got about five feet of water."

With a smile, Melanie turned the bottles up and then levitated them out of the room and through the curtain before grabbing a container and tapping it with her wand. When she opened it and tilted it though, chunks of white material fell out and into the pit. As soon as they hit the water, it started to bubble and emit a mist that climbed up the walls of the pit, filling it. Recognizing it, Hermione frowned. "Dry ice?"

Confused, Neville looked over at his friend. "Dry ice? How can ice be dry?"

Frowning, Hermione just rubbed her chin. "It's... frozen carbon dioxide, a gas." Looking around, the First Year grimaced. "This place has good ventalation I would hope."

Only shaking her head, Melanie chuckled. "Of course it does. Besides, the ground slopes towards the entrance." She then cracked her knuckes and took a deep breath. "Okay... we got all the summoning materials, the summoning area is now prepared... and we have our helpers."

That caused the shipgirls, Harry, and Ron to blink and they looked around as Melanie and Andrew began to chant. Off to one side, they spotted the familiar looking pile of tiny steel girders, small cans of fuel, and aluminum as well as ammunition in the form of shotgun shells. What they had not expected was for there to be small rolls of canvas, cherrybombs, and what looked like tiny gas canisters. Before they could get any further, the humans felt the hairs on their body start to stand as if the room was filled with static. The shipgirls at the same time felt the familiar pull as if there was a gate opening somewhere and, in the pit, the water could be heard sloshing around violently.

It was at that point, a wind filled the chamber and there was the sound of thunder as Melanie and Andrew increased the loudness of their voices to be heard. "Steel... Ammunition... Aluminum... Fuel... Canvas... and the gas of lightness! All these we offer in tribute to services gladly rendered and ask, humbly, for a return to service. We ask this of the sea and of the sky to allow for those who would return, to do so."

Much to the surprise of everyone except the two Seventh Years and Neville, the pile of summoning materials vanished and the motes of light streamed into the pit. Suddenly, the lights flickered out for a brief moment and then came back on with the wind having stopped. With a slow blink, Melanie looked around. "Did... did it work?"

A voice then rang out. "Did it work? Did what work?"

Then another and every one turned to look at the pit though they could not see what was going on. But the mist was being disturbed by something. "However should I know old bean... I say! What has happened to us? It seems that we are now human, wot wot?"

Cheering, Melanie leapt onto her boyfriend and kissed him as two forms slowly raised up from the mist. "It worked! It worked! I can't believe that we did it!"

Andrew only chuckled a bit. "Was there any doubt, Mel? After all, we have been working on this all year."

Surprised, Nagato stared at the two shipgirls as they rose up towards the ceiling, still talking. "... Airshipgirls... you found out how to summon airshipgirls..."

Pulling away from her boyfriend, Melanie nodded and gave a victory sign. "Yup! My Great-great-great Grandfather was crew of one during World War One." A tap on the shoulder caused her to turn to Andrew who had an odd look on his face. "What?"

Very slowly, he pointed upwards. "Are... they supposed to look like that?"

Eyebrows furrowed, Melanie followed his finger and frowned as she looked. Both airshipgirls looked like slightly chubby girls and had a minimum of rigging on them except for what looked like large backpacks as they spoke. "I am absolutely famished!"

Beside her, the other airshipgirl nodded. "Oh yes, I could also do with a nice spot of tea right now, and isn't that just the oddest, wot?"

It took a moment as the other one nodded for Melanie to spot the issue and when they did, she blinked. And then she rubbed her eyes before examining them again. Mainly for one reason... their ears that flopped to and fro with their nods.

Rabbit ears.

There was only one real response from Melanie for that sight. "... What."

 

[darthcourt10]

fijkus

Inspired by Harry's comment on the composition of Lousiana's crew.

* * *
It was a sunny day, and Shinanoa and Louisiana were enjoying the placid waters. The duo were accompanied by Iku and RO as they sailed to the new place of relaxation.

"It's a shame I can't land my airplanes here." Shinano sighed.

"A sentiment we both share, mon cheri," Louisana replied with a sage nod. "Well... maybe I could fly the floatplanes."

"Do you have floatplanes too?" Iku asked, grinning broadly. It was nice to finally have someone to talk shop with.

"Oui! ... well, non. Not all of my airplanes are floatplanes," Louisiana said.

"May we see?" RO asked. "I'm quite interested to see what American engineering would produce."

"I don't see the harm," Louisiana replied.

She reached into her pocket and pulled out miniturized J-3 cub, accompanied by two fairies wearing US Army style khakis with red epaulets and red piping on their garrison hats. RO turned pale as she made out the blue roundels with white triangles and red propellors on their wings and body, as well as their improvised bomb rack.

"Oh, it's all so adorable," Shinano cooed, as RO's wide eyes met with the fairies' curious beady ones.

"Hey?"

The fairies covered their ears as RO began to scream externally, before crash diving as deeply as she could safely go.

"... what was that about?" Iku asked.

* * *

US Civil Air Patrol aircraft attacking German U-boat.

(Civilian aviation fairies have not participated in 'boom boom'. Probably.)

 

[darthcourt10]

Harry Leferts

Having shut the door to the cabin, Harry practically collapsed into the seat. "Ugh... i cannot wait to get home..."

All Hermione did though was shake her head and crack open her book some. "It will be kind of nice to see my parents and sisters again. Though I might be out of contact for some of the summer."

That caused Ron to look over in interest. "Really? Why?"

For a moment, it looked like Hermione was considering whether to answer or not before she finally shrugged. "I'm heading to a mission in the Mediterranean." A sigh then escaped her and she smiled slightly. "It'll be nice being back there again."

Somewhat surprised, Neville looked over at her. "You've been to the Mediterranean, Hermione?"

Much to his confusion though, Hermione blushed. "Actually... no, at least not in this life anyways."

It took a moment, but Neville's eyes widened slightly. "Ooo, you mean when you were a ship?"

Chuckling, the brown haired witch nodded. "Yes, when I was a ship. The Med was one of the places I went to during the War after all." There was a far off expression on her face before she slowly nodded. "It'll be nice to see it now."

Tatsuta just hummed slightly before nodding. "It can be quite lovely as the Abyssals have mostly been wiped out there except for some holdouts."

A frown then crossed Harry's face before he blinked and turned towards Hermione. "By the way... what's going to happen with Melanie and Andrew? Any idea?"

Biting her lip, Hermione leaned back. "Well... the Admiralty is rather happy with what they came up with, they're still less so with... the eccentricities of R31 and R32."

Unable to help himself, Harry gave a snort."Which means that they dislike them having bunny ears, right?"

With a grimace, Hermione shook her head. "Rabbit ears, Harry.. and yes. Though it seems that they are slightly impressed with their armament." Shaking her head, the Cruiser frowned. "What were they thinking when they put a twelve pounder on them, I don't know..."

If anything though, that caused Neville to look over. "A twelve pound what?"

However, it was Ron who answered though he shrugged. "A muggle cannon... though why did they put one on them?"

Fist clinched before her face, Hermione coughed into it. "The... idea was to use it to target enemy Submarines when they were found surfaced from the air. And yes, I understand how ridiculous it sounds."

Slightly bemused, Tatsuta only shook her head before watching as the conversation went onto other topics. it was not far into the ride though when the door opened and Draco stood there. "Potter."

That was about as far as he got as he noticed Tatsuta there watching him with one eye cracked open. "Ara, ara~ is something wrong?"

Despite himself, something about her smile caused a shiver to run down his back. Then he shot Harry a small glare. "Watch out Potter, I did warn you about associating with the wrong people."

With that said, Draco then closed the door with a slam which made Tatsuta chuckle some. "What an unpleasant person."

Nodding, Harry was about to say something when he yawned. Quickly shaking it off, he sighed a little bit. "Yeah, he kind of is."

Expression softening, Tatsuta turned towards him with a slight frown on her face. "Rough night?"

Slowly, Harry gave her a nod though he grimaced a bit. "Didn't sleep well."

Much to his surprise though, the Light Cruiser only patted her lap with a small smile. "Well then, lay your head down and have a small nap. We do have some time after all."

Blinking, he turned towards her. "You sure, Tatsuta-Oba?"

As she chuckled, Tatsuta smiled a little bit more. "Of course, I am your Oba-San after all and you do need your sleep."

His expression softening, Harry shifted a bit and laid his head down as another yawn escaped him. "Thank you, Tatsuta-Oba."

Only nodding as she began to run her fingers through his hair gently, Tatsuta gave a chuckle. "You are very welcome, Harry-Chan. Now rest, your Oba-San will make sure that no bad dreams bother you while you sleep."

It went without saying that within a few moments, Harry was out like a light.
____________________________________________________________________________

Walking into the Burrow, the last thing that Ron expected to see was Warspite sitting at the table sipping a cup of tea. "Warspite? What are you doing here?"

Brightly smiling, the Battleship stood and made her way over to him before giving him a hug. "Well, I wished to greet you coming home from Hogwarts." Then, pulling away slightly, she made a pointed look at her walking stick. "And also to thank you for the lovely gift."

His attention now on it, Ron's face lit up. "Has it helped any? I mean, I was hoping that it might."

Fondly laughing, the Battleship ruffled his hair with a small smile on her face. "As a matter of fact, it has. Quite a bit to be honest." Leaning down, she grinned slightly. "Why, the day after I was walking around and didn't notice that I had managed to make it well past what I normally would."

A moment later though, she blushed some as Ron narrowed his eyes at her. "You should take it way easier, Warspite! It'll help, but it won't cure your legs."

Only biting her lip, Warspite nodded some before placing her hand on his head. "Perish the thought. At the time though, I had not expected it to help that much."

Chuckles though caused the two to turn to see Molly there with a smile on her face. "You know, I had been wondering why you were spending so much time with Aunt Muriel. Learning the old family art though... I am very proud of you, Ron."

Blushing, Ron turned as he felt the hand on his shoulder and spotted Warspite there with a soft smile. "And she is not the only one, Ronald. This is an exquisite piece of work after all and more then a few of the others have commented on it."

Eyebrows raising in surprise, Ron blinked. "They have?"

If anything, Warspite's smile brightened just a touch. "They have." She then hugged him again. "Even my older sister was rather impressed by it."

That caused Ron's eyebrows to nearly reach his hairline. After all it was hard to impress the name ship of the Queen Elizabeth class Battleships. Then he slowly grinned. "Wicked."

Giggling. Warspite only shook her head at her much younger friend. However, that was when Molly spoke up and the Battleship had to blink. "Now then, how about you and Ron go into the den and have one of your chess matches. I'm certain that the two of you are dying for one and it will be a bit before dinner."

Slowly shaking her head, Warspite sighed. "I'm not sure that I can stay for dinner-"

Molly though only cut her off. "Of course you can! Can't she Arthur?" Said man only smiled and raised his hands in answer which caused the Weasley Matriarch to shake her head. "Now, you and Ron go and enjoy yourselves and I'll call you for dinner."

To the Battleship's bemusement, she found herself and Ron behind shooed out of the kitchen. Once they were gone, Molly turned back to her stove and continued cooking. All the while Arthur just watched her. "Hmm..."

Narrowing her eyes, Molly then turned to him. "Don't you 'Hmm' me, Arthur."

In reply, Arthur only raised his hands. "Sorry, Molly. Just rather surprised is all, I do remember you having some doubts after all."

For a moment, Molly paused and looked out her window before slowly nodding. "Perhaps... but honestly Arthur, she's done so much for Ron over the past few years. She's practically family by this point." That more then anything made Arthur smile, though he had to bite back a laugh as his wife huffed a little. "Besides, she needs some nice homecooked meals. That... food, that they serve her is not the greatest."

Arthur just nodded and leaned back. "Of course..."