Harry Potter & the Shipgirls

[darthcourt10]

Azzciel "Fou's Pain"

The Once and Future Ship, Part 11

__________

Fou watched as the spectacle in front of him continued. While he had wanted for the dragon to be subdued non-lethally, killing it and dismantling it afterwards was fair game. Prydwen hadn't taken long before sitting down and putting him in her lap and had continued petting him ever since. And all the while the little people with their blue undercoats and gleaming chainmails labored on top of and around the cooling dragon.

While this had been a new experience ever since his first hunt with the...spirit?...ship?...castle?..., he had grown to appreciate how the little people took apart the prey and even offered him the tasty parts without prompting or having to search in the corpses himself. He liked the 'garrison' as Prydwen called them, and they themself were a good reason to stay with her.

It was when the dragon was halfway gone, that Prydwen started to talk about 'celebrating this grand milestone in their relationship'. And here was another advantage of following her around, the acquisition of 'human' concepts, which meant that the green-fruit-that-turned-red was shortened into 'apple'. He knew what 'celebrating' meant, but had not yet experienced what doing so fully entailed, so he voiced his agreement, even if Prydwen still couldn't understand his speech directly.

__________

"...andthenpercslappedmordyandstartedthefifthcastlewidebrawlthatmonth..."

This was without doubt, a most perilous situation. Fou had been caught and held firmly within Prydwen's hands, all the while she rubbed her face against him and complained to him about everything with enough speed that he could barely make out her words. He was astounded she had managed to continue speaking this long without drawing breath even once.

"...thurisinavalonsohedoesntcountbutbediisntsoheshouldbeherebutheisnt..."

It had started innocently enough, talking about celebrating had drawn her attention to the fact that it had been some time since she had first been to what she called 'that place with good service and friendly people'. And since it would be a new experience for him as well, she had decided to return there.

"...fou~fou~whatareyouthinkingaboutcmontellmetellme~..."

The day after they had entered one of the baths, Prydwen had started muttering about how 'last time was punitive action' and 'that this time is celebrating', she had promptly ordered for some sort of not-quite-water and told the servant to 'keep it flowing'. Then she started to drink what was to his nose obviously some sort of poison, and it all went downhill from there.

"...reallyhopeitsallbehindwardsandnotlostsomewherewithtoomuchambientmagic..."

At first nothing at all happened, the second day she wasn't quite as agile in the water, but it was from the third day onwards that she had suddenly shifted into whatever her current mindset was called. It was a moment of carelessness that had found Fou unable to run away from her. At this point he just hoped that Prydwen would either be felled by the poison or that she would snap out of it before the second week ends.

"...fousfurissosoftandfluffyitreallywasagooddecisiontogetfoutobecomemyfamiliar..."
__________

They left the establishment a month later while Prydwen apologized to Fou the entire way back to her home base on the western shore. When they would bathe together in the future, Fou would leave at the first sign of alcohol.
__________

AN:
So Prydwen is a chatty and clingy drunk eh?

 

[darthcourt10]

Harry Leferts "Rose & Haruna's Vacation Start"

Warm, September sunlight streamed through the window and was what awoke Rose from her slumber. Blinking slowly, she glanced around the sleeping area of the trailer home that her and Haruna had gotten and placed on the old Potter properties. Haruna... Turning slightly, Rose smiled gently at the sight of the Battleship spooning her from behind as the two strong arms held her close. Just outside, she could hear the bird song of the morning chorus and her thoughts soon turned to the day before.

Upon arriving, her and Haruna had parked the trailer home on what had been the Potter house's drive. After that, they had gone exploring the orchard some to get a lay of the land. In the middle of the orchard, in a small clearing, they had come across a triangle of three large stones with a flat one covering the top. The height of which was great enough that Haruna could just barely look over the top even with how tall she was. What surprised Rose though was the amount of fruit that could be gathered and she wasn't quite sure she brought enough jars to make preserves.

Thankfully, Haruna stated that if needed, the Royal Navy shipgirls had no problem coming out with more for them.

However, soon after they explored the orchard as Rose made notes, with both of them occasionally looking around as they felt eyes on them, Rose had gathered up some fruit. As per the instructions given to her by Nagato from the Potter family book, Rose had placed the fruit onto the stone platform before gathering more fruit. Both her and Haruna had a lovely dinner after night had fallen with Rose making some dessert with the fruit. The two of them had then enjoyed some time cuddling up to each other as they stargazed by the fire, simply talking before they turned in.

It was as she was going over her memories that Rose blinked as another memory came up. The night before, with the moonlight streaming in, she had awoken. She had not, at the time, known why. Laying there, the tsukumogami had been puzzled in her half-awake state as to why she had woken up. But then she heard it.

What sounded like a party happening. One that was both close and yet far away as soft, otherworldly music drifted into the trailer. Eventually though, Rose had drifted off with the oddest dream of shapeless things dancing around their small trailer. All lead by a woman with a crown of fruit upon her head and hair that was partially green and partially auburn of fall leaves.

Chuckling to herself, Rose smiled a bit before she stretched. 'What an odd dream to have.' Slowly, she lifted Haruna's arms to get out from her girlfriend's embrace without waking her. An attempt that failed as Haruna tightened her grip before nuzzling Rose behind the ear. "Eep!"

As she giggled, Haruna hummed as she breathed deeply. "Haruna has to wonder what Rose-Chan was doing just now. Especially as it is early."

Unable to help herself, Rose blushed a bit but then smiled. "I was hoping not to wake you, Haruna. And perhaps make you a small bit of breakfast to start the day as we shall be rather busy. From what I can see there is a lot of fruit to gather after all and begin to make into preserves." Then she frowned a bit. "Are you really okay with carrying them?"

Slowly, Haruna nodded some as she shifted her target from Rose's hair to behind her ear. "Hmm... Yes, Haruna is okay with that. And Haruna will make sure that she keeps them safe until we arrive back in Yokosuka." Biting her lip, Rose shuddered a bit as Haruna held her close. Upon noticing that, Haruna had a small smile. "Is something wrong, Rose-Chan?"

With a slight gasp, Rose stuttered a bit. "W-w-well, that is, um... N-no, nothing is w-wrong-Haruna!"

Nibbling at Rose's ear lobe, Haruna hummed a bit before kissing the back of her neck, her hand resting on the smaller woman's stomach and rubbing. "Hai?"

Even as a small whimper left her lips, Rose tried to keep her voice steady. "M-my word, you are certainly affectionate this morning, Haruna. W-whatever has gotten into you?"

Her eyes sparking, Haruna moved until her lips were on Rose's cheeks, just barely brushing them and getting a shiver from the tsukumogami. "Haruna and Rose-Chan have all week just for themselves. And Haruna is very much okay with this." Kissing Rose's jaw, Haruna smiled softly. "Very okay."

Bringing her own hand up, Rose entwined her hands with the Battleship's before she turned her head and gave her a smile through her heavy blush. "And so am I, Haruna." For several moments, Rose held her gaze as their eyes sparkled before kissing Haruna's nose. "But sadly, as much as I would like to lie here with you, we really must be getting ready for the day. However... we do have all week, as you said."

Eyes trailing along Rose's face, Haruna slowly let her go and nodded. "Haruna agrees and will hold you to that." With one final smile, Rose slipped out of their small bed and walked towards the trailer's stove in her night gown. Unnoticed by her, Haruna was following her every move. 'Haruna likes that gown, it fits Rose-Chan very well.' Just watching Rose bustle around as she made them both breakfast, Haruna's mind drifted a bit. For a moment, the Battleship day dreamed a bit about what it could be after the war. Rose in a small kitchen in the home both of them owned and lived in. Then the dream version of Haruna walked up behind her, and hugged Rose to her as the smaller woman smiled back. Then there were giggles and a small girl, a Destroyer, rushed up who looked like a mix between them. 'Kaa-San! Mum!'

Suddenly, Rose's voice broke through the day dream and Haruna was back in the present with the tsukumogami giving her a curious expression. "Haruna? Is something wrong? You look like you're about to cry..."

Quickly blinking away the wetness in her eyes, Haruna shook her head. "Haruna is okay, just thinking of the future." Getting out of bed, she decided that the Haruna in her day dream had the right idea and walked over before wrapping her arms around Rose's waist and placing her chin on top of the other woman's hair. "So, what is Haruna and Rose-Chan going to be doing first?"

Thoughtful, Rose tilted her head back some to give Haruna smile before humming some. "Well... I was thinking that perhaps we should gather the gooseberries first. They will make some nice jams and jellies. We can even use them in teas!"

It seemed that the happiness in Rose's voice was infectious as Haruna nodded with a bright smile. "Hai, that does sound good, Rose-Chan." Tapping her chin, she slowly nodded. "Perhaps later we can look in Harry-Chan's family garage though? Harry-Chan did want Haruna's opinion after all."

Only nodding, Rose cracked an egg before dropping it into the pan. "That does sound rather good, doesn't it? Yes, I think that we can do that this afternoon perhaps depending on the weather." A smile on her face, Rose gave a giggle. "Of course, we do have all week together."

Leaning forward and to the side, Haruna placed a soft kiss on the corner of Rose's lips. "Hai, a wonderful week ahead of Haruna and Rose-Chan."

With a final look, Rose turned back to their breakfast to cook it as Haruna just held her close.
_______________________________________________________________________
Shoes hitting against the stone floor, Harry took measured breaths as he jogged through the halls of Hogwarts. Glancing to the ghost floating beside him, he gave a small smile. "So how was your summer, Myrtle?"

Blushing some, Myrtle played a little with her robes before shaking her head. "Oh! It was... okay, I guess?"

Just raising his eyebrow, Harry frowned a bit. "Uh-huh. Okay?"

All Myrtle did was shake her head with a slight smile. "Well, it was the usual boredom really. Not many people stayed in the castle much as usual outside the library." Suddenly, she grinned a little bit. "Well, besides this one very strange group who showed up in early August."

There was a twinkle in Harry's eyes as he nodded serious. "Ah, I see. Well, hopefully they did not give you too much trouble, Myrtle. After all, it's the strange ones that one needs to watch out for you know. They can cause a large amount of trouble."

On Myrtle's face there was a similar serious expression. "Oh, yes. I actually recognized one of the ring leaders. He's always causing trouble of one sort or another, especially when he's bored himself!" She then gave him a wink. "But he can be a nice boy and is a rather good friend."

Unable to help himself, Harry gave a laugh before shaking his head. "Good to hear, Myrtle. Hopefully he keeps it up, you know?"

Myrtle just burst into giggles as she shook her head. "Somehow, I have little doubt that he will." Expression sofening, she nodded some. "It's good to have you back though, Harry. I did miss our little talks after all and there's not a whole lot to do around here."

Becoming thoughtful, Harry blinked at the thought that crossed his mind. "How are the bindings keeping you on the grounds?"

Confused at the change of the topic, Myrtle took a moment to consider the question. "Hmm... Well, they have greatly weakened. I'm not sure why, but they have. Though why does it matter?"

A grin on his face, Harry shook his head. "Because once you're free, we should figure out a way to get you to Japan. That way, I can show you around and stuff."

Her eyes widening, Myrtle leaned forward a bit. "R-really? You would bring me all the way to Japan?" When Harry nodded some, she shook her head with a far off look. "I... think that I might like that. I've only ever been in Britain after all, though there was this once that my Mum and Dad took me to Ireland... But that's the furthest that I've gone!"

Now grinning even more, Harry nodded and gave her a chuckle as they headed for the front doors to the outside. "Looking forward to showing you around then. Heck, maybe we'll meet up with a Hanako-San."

Being not quite sure what he meant, Myrtle frowned some. "Hanako-San? What is a Hanako-San?"

Glancing at her, Harry shrugged a bit. "It's a type of yokai or ghost which is a young girl who haunts bathrooms back in Japan. Hibiki-Chan and the others told me that they convinced a nice one to move into the school on the base from her old school up by Fukushima. Apparently it was abandoned and stuff, so she's much happier. Or at least that is what Tenryuu-Oba told me anyways."

With a thoughtful look on her face, Myrtle slowly nodded. "If I do ever get free of my bindings, I... would not mind meeting a fellow bathroom ghost. Or getting to know one as I've never heard of one before."

Simply nodding, Harry sucked in some breaths as he continued his run, chatting with the ghost who floated at his side as he did so.

 

[darthcourt10]

Azzaciel

The Once and Future Ship, Part 12

__________

Time marched on, but it's passing was marked by neither adventure nor great progress in getting Prydwen seaworthy again. Instead it was marked by the monotony of gathering materials for future endeavours, small steps in her advancement of magical studies, and getting Fou to forgive her.

At long last she had also managed to have him actually accept her as his master, though there Merlin may have been of help for once. Fou now sported small anklets on his feet, made of Fae gold and enchanted to let him walk on water. Since then Prydwen had been somewhat envious of him, but also hopeful as this proved that the magic was possible, merely inadequate to hold the weight of Camelot afloat.

During short trips to villages here and there, she was able to stay somewhat informed as to the happenings in the wider world. Christianity no longer accepted magic openly, which raised the question as to what happened to their exorcists. At some point there had also seemed to be happening an invasion of some sort on the east coast, something about Vikings?

As such her garrison used the available downtime to modify her outer walls and to design a propulsion system for the time Merlin would achieve what they all hoped for. All in all, it was the most boring time of her life, maybe someday she would one day be living an even more boring life, but Prydwen hoped such a time would never come.

But boring as it was, it had given her motivation to learn various crafts and arts on her own, without relying on her garrison's abilities. Another thing she learned during this time was, that she could use the magical weapons and armors of her knights though not with any amount of skill. It was one more thing with which to occupy herself.

It was in the last quarter of the 10th century, that she heard rumors about four individuals gifted in the arts of magic, rumored to be the brightest of this age. Such rumors were most always exaggerated, like that of an immortal witch roaming the western shores of Britain, which was preposterous, she would have come across that witch ages ago. As such Prydwen was moderately surprised to keep hearing of their supposed deeds, and as more such stories reached her, she admitted to herself that this time the rumors might be true.

To test this however she would need to search for them, but didn't feel the need for doing so. Hearing years later that they had founded a school of some sort, she made note of it, if only because it was the first endeavour of this sort on Britain soil in quite some time. When the rumors and tales started to include an enchanted castle, Merlin proclaimed his desire to visit this Hogwarts place, if only to see if he could find inspiration in something new.

Preparing reserves to fend off her enemy, she set out to the highlands, armor hidden beneath her new cloak. Unlike her previous one, this one was modelled after the white ones her knights had worn during their lives.
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AN:

Not really happy with this one. If it feels like more things could have happened, you'd be right. I just don't have any ideas for stuff to happen, since at this point it's just rehashes of things Prydwen already did. So i decided to get it over with and skip to the part where stuff happens. Sadly I needed to exposition stuff and this one is short too. Just hoping I can do better in the future.

 

[Warwolf117]

You accidentally posted "Once and Future Ship 7" twice.

 

[darthcourt10]

Azzaciel

Here, a topic change.

The Once and Future Ship, Part 13
Interlude 1 - The Life in the Shadow

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It was the evening of just another day of having her good grades and achievements swept aside in favor of being 'expected from Rowena's daughter' instead of them resulting from her hard work and diligent studying, when Helena passed the entrance hall. All her life she had looked up to her mother for being able to answer anything, this had continued even as she had started attending Hogwarts. But soon enough she learned that her life was not blessed, but cursed as her peers and seniors did not credit her for what she did, instead they gave her empty congratulations, always thinking her mother helped her with everything.

Rowena had made sure to treat her the same as any student, but this somehow confirmed for the other students that she got secret lesson on the side, for no mother would not favour their child, no matter how much they pretended for the public. It was in her second year that she had confided in her mother about her problem. Rowena had told her to ignore her peers and trust that they'd grow up at some point. Helena's relationship with her mother started straining from this point forward more and more, the longer her peers refused to acknowledge her.

It had recently gotten even worse as her roommates started shunning her for 'robbing them of their chance at the good wizards in the castle' or something equally preposterous. She was aware that some were attempting to court her, but while she could see the appeal of some, they were neither to her taste nor did they want to court her for herself, merely for the prestige of marrying 'Rowena Ravenclaw's daughter'. The most persistent in this fruitless endeavour was that muggleborn noble from Slytherin.

She was brought back to reality by three heavy but measured knocks on the front door. As the only person here, she opened the door for the visitor/s standing in front of the castle.

"Greetings, and welcome to Hog..war..ts..", her greeting died a slow death as she took in the person waiting for entrance. Helena was tall for her age, taller than most adult witches even and had yet to finish growing, but even so the woman in front of her was taller still by a good margin. Her golden hair shone brightly in the setting sun and framed a face of beauty, eyes colored a gentle teal, set in flawless skin. Cloaked in a white purer than summer clouds, the folds barely not hiding flashes of silver, gold and ocean blue. A black staff in her right hand, topped with the head of a dragon, it's eyes made of gleaming rubies. And last but certainly not least, the part of her body she had faced before looking up and into the woman's eyes. Helena could feel the aura of regality and wisdom surrounding this woman like a great mountain looming on the horizon.

"Greetings to you as well, fair maiden. My name is Pwerdyn Comalet. I have come to this castle to see if I can learn of magics yet unknown to me.", even her voice, calm as it was, was silk upon her ears and yet it carried authority equal to that of kings (why not queens?).

"Non-students wishing to further their education have to be approved by a majority of the founders, if you want I could guide you to one of their offices?", she barely managed to avert her eyes, before she lost herself in Pwerdyn's. What was wrong with her today? This wasn't normal.

"Very well. Lead the way young one, I shall follow you."

And even as she guided the castle's newest visitor to her mother's study, she was so lost in thoughts about her unusual reactions, that she didn't connect the sound of sabatons hitting the stone floor with the woman behind her, instead thinking that the armors protecting the castle were unusually active today.

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AN:
Insecure teenage witch, meet what nasu calls B RANK CHARISMA.
Hope you liked the PoV change to have an outside look at Prydwen.

 

[darthcourt10]

Harry Leferts

Yawning, George glared at Wood as he stomped down the stairs. "What the bloody hell is it, Wood? Honestly, getting us up so early?"

With a growl, Wood came a stop at the bottom of the stairs and turned to face them. "None of the other teams have even started training yet! But if we start, we'll be ahead of them and win this year. I want that Cup!"

Softly groaning, Katie rubbed a hand over her face. "Honestly, Wood? I mean, you're starting this early?"

That got her a glare, but before he could say anything Angelina spoke up. "What the hell crawled up your ass this morning anyways? You seem pissed."

Grimacing, Wood snarled some. "Potter's not in his bed and I have no idea where he is! He's not here in the Common Room and he's not in the Dorms either! It makes no sense."

A voice then spoke up and he blinked. "Actually, it makes perfect sense if you know him. So why are you looking for him this early? It's barely even sunrise after all."

Just pinching his nose, Wood let out a sigh. "As I said, I've booked the pitch and we're going to be starting early this year. But we need Potter and I don't want him disappearing like this!"

Unknown to him, the others seemed rather amused as the voice spoke up. "So you want Potter? Well, I can help there after all we know exactly where he is."

Relaxing, Wood chuckled some as he began to turn. "That's good to know. So where is he."

Once he fully turned though, he froze as Harry turned towards Myrtle. "Might be a bit hard to find him on his morning run, though. What do you think, Myrtle? Can we find him?"

The ghost seemed barely able to hold back her giggles as Wood stared at the two of them. "I don't know, Harry. But I think that I might know exactly where he is though."

Eyebrow twitching, Wood growled a bit. "Knock it off, you two." Turning to Harry fully, he glared a bit. "And where were you? You're supposed to be in the Dorm after all."

Harry rolled his eyes a bit before finally shrugging. "Like I said, I was on my morning run. I do it every day after all, keeps me in shape and wakes me up."

Suddenly, Harry felt a slight chill run down his back as Wood perked up. "Wait, morning run? Morning run... yes... that might be it! Thanks! Now meet the rest of us down at the pitch as soon as you can."

Watching as they headed out, the rest of the team arguing with Wood, Myrtle shook her head. "I've seen some fanatical Quidditch Captains in my day, but he's certainly near the top. Hopefully he doesn't push it too far like I've seen some of them do. Because that will likely end very, very badly for him."

Footsteps coming down the stairs caused them both to turn and blink at the eleven year boy who was grinning at them. "Harry!" He then glanced at Myrtle and furrowed his eyebrows. "And, um..."

There was a time, once, when that would have caused Myrtle to burst into tears and run away. However, all the time Harry spent around her as well as Rose's visits over the past year had changed a lot about for teenaged ghost and she only grimaced. "Myrtle, I'm Myrtle."

Even though Harry glanced at her as she only gave her first name, he didn't say anything as Colin nodded rapidly. Turning towards the First Year, he raised an eyebrow. "So what are you doing here, Colin? It's pretty early after all."

Grinning up at him, Colin was practically vibrating. "I heard your name on the stairs and came to check it out. And here you are..." Suddenly, he pulled out a picture and thrust it into Harry's face. "Look, here's that picture that I took of you!"

Slowly blinking, Harry looked down and, sure enough, there was a picture of him there. Part of him noted that it looked almost like it wanted to be elsewhere and raised an eyebrow. "Huh, I think that was after the class with the Pixies..."

With the grin still on his face, Colin nodded. "Probably. Hey, do you think that you can sign it? I mean, you got time and such after all!"

Meanwhile, Myrtle looked between the two of them in confusion as Harry considered the question. 'Uh... Is this actually happening? I mean, asking him to autograph a picture? This early in the morning?' Then she chewed her lip. 'I mean, it's Harry. Not like he's... David Farrar or something...'

Unnoticed by her, Harry gave her a glance as she shuddered a bit before shaking his head. With a sigh, Harry frowned some and scratched the back of his neck. "Well... fine, okay." Seeing the excitement, he narrowed his eyes a little bit. "Just this once though, Colin."

It was several minutes later that Harry left the tower, followed by Colin with Myrtle floating alongside him munching on something. Swallowing, she let out a soft sigh. "Please, give my regards to Miss Kongou, Harry. It's been so long since I've had a good scone before she started sending them. And hers are really, really good."

Chuckling, Harry gave her a nod as Colin stared at her with an odd look on his face. "Will do, Myrtle. And I think that Kongou-Oba will continue doing so."

With a smile on her face, Myrtle gave a nod. "And I hope that she does as well."

Bemused, Harry gave her a once over and frowned internally as Colin started asking questions about Quidditch with Myrtle answering them. Part of him was happy as Myrtle, other then their runs around the castle, spent most of her time in her bathroom. But at the moment something else caught his attention. 'Odd... Did Myrtle always look this solid? Almost like... Ume-San and Sakura-San.'

However, he soon shook off the thought. After all, Myrtle was a ghost and it was not like they could get more solid from eating. Right?
___________________________________________________________________

Sometime later though, Harry was sighing as he looked on as the Slytherin team was staring down the Gryffindor one. In between the two, Wood and Flint were arguing with each other when the smirking Slytherin brought out a piece of parchment. "See, we have permission from Professor Snape right here!"

All of a sudden, Harry was reminded of a time when there was a mixup at the Carrier's training range between Aso and Enterprise with Kaga there before the Nationalistic Carrier was sent to Kure. The reminder of that caused Harry to grin as he also remembered how Kaga handled it. Walking forward, he cleared his throat to get some attention. "Can I see that?"

For a moment, Flint was looking at him with narrowed eyes before he growled and thrust the paper forward. "Here."

Humming, Harry leaned forward and slowly nodded. "Well, it is Professor Snape's handwriting. And it does say he gives permission..."

An even bigger smirk on his face, Flint turned towards Wood who was gobsmacked at what Harry was saying. "Just as I said. Now bugger off, Wood."

Just ignoring the betrayed and dismayed looks from his teammates, Harry shook his head. "One moment, Wood? You did book the pitch, right? Until what time?"

Confusion and betrayal warred on Wood's face as he answered. "This morning right until breakfast. But why-"

Harry just cut him off with a grin and turned back to Flint. "Well then, it seems that we got the pitch, so you can go and wait your turn... After breakfast. Or whenever, as long as it's after us."

Shaking off his own confusion, Flint got up in Harry's face. "Except, Professor Snape gave us permission to use the pitch. Like you read and said. Which means, we get to use the pitch, not you bunch."

Eyes twinking, Harry slowly shook his head as he delivered the same coup de grâce that Kaga had all those years ago to Aso. "Yes, he does give you permission to use the field. But... Nowhere on that note does it say that he does when someone else is using it." Tapping it, Harry smiled up at the burly Slytherin. "After all, there has to be plenty of free time on the pitch when it's not booked, right?'

Utter and complete silence met him as everyone processed what he just said. Slowly grinning, Wood turned a victorious expression onto Flint as he chuckled and patted Harry on the shoulder. "He's right, you know. There's nothing in that note about what time it's supposed to be. And since we do have the pitch booked, both that and the rules are on our side. So in other words... Sod off."

Clinching his fist, Flint snarled as he looked between Harry and Wood. It was obvious that he was considering his chances of hitting one of them right at that moment. 'Dammit... And if I do bring it up to Professor Snape...' He could hear the voice of the Potions Master chastising him. 'Fucking obvious.'

Moments later, Draco stepped up with a sneer. "You know that Professor Snape meant, Potter. The pitch is ours."

Surprised, Harry stared at him for a moment as he also noted Ron and Hermione having arrived as well. "Wait, you're their seeker? Seriously? When..."

Noting his puzzled look, Flint grinned a bit. "He is." Then he preened a bit as he held out a brand new broom. "Also, it's funny that you should mention him as you can see the gift that his father has given the team. Brand new Nimbus 2001s." Harry was silent with a thoughtful expression on his face as Flint went on about the brooms. Right up until the Slytherin noticed Ron and Hermione walking over to them. "Oh, look, a pitch invasion."

However, only a few minutes later, Hermione rolled her eyes at Draco's bragging. "Honestly. At least they didn't need to buy their way onto the team."

Ears going red, Draco twitched for a moment. Then he narrowed his eyes at Hermione before he hissed. "No one asked your opinion, you filthy little Mudblood."

It went without saying that all the Gryffindors stiffened for a moment before they reacted. In the case of the Chasers, this involved them grabbing the Twins before they could jump Draco. At the same time, Flint moved until he was between the two groups. Harry meanwhile narrowed his eyes into a glare at Draco. "I would advise you to leave, Akaname."

Before it could get much worse, a voice bellowed out. "NOW, WHA' IS GOIN' ON HERE!?" Everyone turned to see Hagrid there striding across the pitch with a glare on his face. Looking between them, he narrowed his eyes. "Well? I asked yeh a question!"

Putting his hands in his pocket, Flint scoffed a bit and turned. "We were just leaving."

With that, he ushered the rest of the Slytherin team off. As they left, Draco could hear some of what Hermione was saying to Ron. "Akaname is a type of Japanese yokai..."

Unable to hear anything else as the rest of the team closed in, Draco wracked his brain as one word knocked something out. 'Yokai... Father said that's a Japanese demon. Potter called me a type of demon.' Softly snorting, he shook his head. 'Bah, maybe insulting to a muggle, but not that big of one.'

Back at the pitch, the rest of the Gryffindor team was staring at Harry having heard the rest of his explanation. Ron then blinked and grinned a bit. "Mate? Can I just say that is an awesome insult."

Tone dry, Harry shook his head. "Thanks. But he deserved it after what he called Hermione."

Frowning, Katie furrowed her eyebrows and turned to Hagrid. "By the way, where did you come from? I mean, we're too far from your hut for you to hear us... Not that I have any problems with that."

Only chuckling, Hagrid waved at something out of sight. "Actually, an ol' friend came by and woke me up. She told me ta come here right away or else some trouble migh' happen." Several seconds later, a somewhat bashful Myrtle floated into view. "'Course, I didn' know what Myrtle was goin' on abou' first."

All Harry did was grin at Myrtle and give her the thumbs up. "Thanks, Myrtle."

Even as the others also gave her thanks, the ghost flushed silver some. But there was a small, pleased smile on her face nonetheless as she nodded. "You're all welcome." Then she noticed the expression on Harry's face and frowned. "Is something wrong, Harry?"

Softly, he snorted and shook his head. "Not really, just thinking." At the raised eyebrow from Hermione, Harry shrugged. "Just wondering about the wisdom of all the team having the same broom, you know? I mean... It's like a Carrier having all the same kind of plane and relying on it, right? From what I read, those brooms are racing brooms and used for Seekers, so how well are they going to do when you only need to move a short distance like a Keeper? Or to react to the Bludgers like a Beater?"

Now thoughtful himself, Wood slowly chuckled. "You might have a point. And with how fast and reactive they are... Flint might have just screwed himself over." Then his expression steeled and his next words got groans from the rest of the team. "Which means that we need to work even harder. Okay, time to get to work!"

 

[darthcourt10]

mikelima777

As an omake for the Quidditch dispute

____

Daphne Greengrass and her friend Tracy Davis were going for a morning walk outside when they heard the commotion at the Quidditch pitch. Hearing the voice of the two Quidditch captain's made it rather clear what the two senior students were fighting over. Quidditch practice times...typical, Daphne thought as she rolled her eyes. She wasn't much a fan of the sport, having had to cope with her father (a long-time Puddlemere United Fan) and Astoria (a fanatical Ballycastle Bats supporter) constantly bickering over which team was better. With the school tournament driven by house rivalry, Daphne and Tracy went to games for the inter-house drama.

Thus, the potential for Slytherin-Gryffindor bickering was too much for the two girls to resist. They stood just out of view, listening as the two sides argued over who could take the pitch. Then came the voice of a particular Gryffindor year mate. Despite the insults and insinuations made by Draco Malfoy about Harry Potter, the two girls knew who was the more respectable first year. Harry was a pleasant, courteous classmate, though one with a penchant for mischief. To Daphne and Tracy, it had become clear that Harry was leagues above Draco's pettiness, with the Gryffindor's witty retorts to Malfoy often going over the Slytherin's head. Daphne smirked as Harry started to use a silky tone as he explained that Flint's permission slip from Professor Snape only gave the Slytherin team permission to use the pitch, not book the pitch for practice.

The two girls frowned as the voice of the resident Slytherin prat tried to chip in. Malfoy's sneering tone didn't endear him to the two girls (plus others who preferred subtlety over insults), and it didn't help him here. Tracy frowned as Malfoy and Flint gloated over Malfoy senior buying Nimbus 2001s for the entire Slytherin team just to get his son in as seeker. Daphne mentally sneered. Really? Wasting money to bribe your son into the team? Said sentiment was quickly echoed by Hermione's retort.

However, both girls stiffened as Malfoy responded with that word. Mudblood. Notwithstanding the fact Hermione was more than just a muggle born witch, Daphne remembered her father's command to never use that slur, having gained a respect for non-purebloods as well as muggles. Tracy's family was more traditionalist, but her parents knew that there were far more non-purebloods out in the world, and using slurs was just inviting trouble. Daphne peeked around the corner, noticing that Hermione looked ready to unleash her firepower on Draco as several Gryffindors restrained the Weasley Twins. Having seen Harry's adoptive mother, Daphne could see Nagato's influence in Harry's steely glare. Harry looked rather imposing as he coldly responded, "I would advise you to leave, Akaname."

Daphne noticed Hermione fighting the urge to smile as Harry said "Akaname," curious as to the meaning of that word. Daphne then hid behind the corner as the booming voice of Hagrid marked the ending of the dispute. The two Slytherin girls heard footsteps as their team stalked away in defeat, unaware of Daphne and Tracy's presence. The two remaining Slytherins peeked out, seeing the Gryffindors clustering around Harry, Ronald Weasley, and Hermione. The duo held back guffaws as Hermione explained what "Akaname" meant, while the other Gryffindors didn't hold back their laughter.

Daphne, however, noted that the ghost, formerly nicknamed "Moaning Myrtle" was around, and seemed to be less translucent than the other Hogwarts ghosts. Mentally filing that away, Daphne led Tracy as the two students slipped away for their morning walk.

 

[darthcourt10]

Jaegerkin

And now, the continued (short) adventure of hestmanden on st Brendan's.

----
The mission to Brendan's would not last long. The cargo ships were needed too badly elsewhere.
Norway, not having owned a modern navy since before mikasa was laid down, fell back on its one big contribution to the great wars. Its merchant navy. Ferrying cargoes where needed. As soon as the last ship was empty, they would be off once again.

Hestmanden herself was easily emptied, she was not a large ship, and her holds could not match her younger brethren.
So, she had time to see the sights.

To wander the isle, and share a square or two from her secret stash of chocolates with the children of st Brendan's isle.

On the second day when she rounded the point to a small beach, was when she spotted the hero of the isle, thunderchild, gazing at the sea. Looking out at the site of the battle.

Oil and wood was still washing ashore as thunderchild looked sadly at the rolling waves.

Hestmanden approached hesitantly, but when thunderchild didn't object, sat down next to her.

The silence lasted, until hestmanden decided to speak.

"I have no idea what you are going through. Nine years of service, and I was never even once struck by an enemy. My boys all went home and grew old and fat on tales of their youthful bravery. But I have a barrel of the best spirits made, and if it pleases you, we will drink to the memory of your crew, and sing their story to the heavens. That they may hear us, and know their sacrifice was not in vain."

It took a few minutes, before thunderchild accepted a glass of akevitt.

And if any had passed close in the hours that followed, they would have heard strong voices singing as a campfire lit up the darkening night

---

Don't know how well I got the mood, or the voices of the characters.
But thought I'd let thunderchild have a moment to mourn

 

[darthcourt10]

Harry Leferts

High above, black clouds gathered and there was the sound of thunder somewhere close by with the odd flash. But on the ground, Rose and Haruna were both running towards the former Potter carriage house. Not out of fear if their laughter was anything to go by though. Suddenly, Haruna sped up and grabbed Rose, twirling even as she kept running. "Haruna has you, Rose-Chan!"

Unable to help herself, Rose let out a bunch of giggles before lightly kissing Haruna on the cheek. Seeing the slight flush in the Battleship's cheeks as she leapt over a small, bubbling brook, Rose smiled a bit as she felt a bit of heat in her own cheeks. "And you always will, Haruna."

Blushing, Haruna shifted until she was holding Rose in a bridal carry as her feet carried her swiftly across the ground. "And Rose-Chan will always have Haruna." Watching as Rose went red, Haruna smiled but then blinked as suddenly a big, fat drop of rain hit her in the face. With a blink, she tilted her head back to look at the sky and frowned as she noticed her floatplane slowly descending. "We should hurry though, Rose-Chan, it's going to rain soon."

Also looking up, Rose nodded some. "It does certainly look like we might be in for a spot of rain, I suppose. But no matter, we're nearly there. Look!"

Now looking up, Haruna smiled as she noticed that they were mere feet from the former carriage house. Soon, almost all too soon in the Battleship's mind, she set Rose down gently. "Hai, but we'll be nice and dry."

Only nodding, Rose produced a key from inside her clothes which Harry had given her. Beside it, there were several other keys including for the storage shed and Catherine's tower. Choosing the one for the carriage house, she slipped it into the lock and turned, a clicking sound being heard as the tumblers did their work. Opening the door, Rose nodded some. "Okay, we can go in."

Turning, Rose blinked and then held a hand to her mouth as Haruna caught her floatplane from Midair. Moments later, she caught Rose's eye and lifted it up as if it was a great treasure. "ZUIUN!"

Giggles becoming full blown laughter, Rose shook her head as she leaned against the door. "H-Haruna! Don't tell me that you have been hanging around Miss Hyuuga and Miss Ise that much!"

Sheepishly grinning, Haruna scratched her cheek as her floatplane vanished into sparkles. "Haruna wanted to hear Rose-Chan laugh. It's so nice to hear after all." As Rose flushed deeply, Haruna chuckled. "But Haruna will agree that Hyuuga-San and Ise-San love their Zuiuns a bit much."

Before she could say anything else though, all of a sudden the storm broke and Haruna blinked as the rain hit so fast that one could barely see too far. From where she was, safe and dry under the overhang by the door, Rose had to hold back loud gawfaws of laughter at the expression on Haruna's face. Then she noticed Haruna giving her a look and slowly walking towards her with hands up and clinching open and close. With a fake scream of fear, Rose ran into the building, followed by Haruna. Rose let out a squeal as Haruna grabbed her and held her close. "HARUNA!"

Now grinning, Haruna nuzzled Rose's neck as the tsukumogami squirmed. "Rose-Chan shouldn't laugh at a Battleship. But Haruna likes it when Rose-Chan laughs... it sounds like music. Maybe because Rose-Chan is made from silver." Just standing there, Rose sighed as Haruna kept her arms around her before she closed her eyes and heated up. Haruna blinked and then smiled as she felt any wetness on her evaporate into steam. Soon enough, both of them were dry and Haruna looked around at the various covered objects in curiosity. "So this is Harry-Chan's family garage?"

Walking forward, Rose examined the small room better as several of Haruna's fairies popped out of her clothes and began to set up lanturns. From outside, flashes of lightning could be seen every once in a while as thunder boomed. Inside the building, Rose placed a hand against one of the support beams and nodded. "Well, yes. But originally, it was a carriage house before they began to use cars."

Curious, Haruna walked up beside her and also ran a hand along the wood. It was rough and old, but the Battleship could feel the strength in it. "A carriage house?"

Slowly, Rose nodded and looked over her shoulder. "Oh, yes. They were quite common before automobiles came about. After all, one would need a place to store carriages and horse tack. Once automobiles became more common, they were used for them."

Only nodding, Haruna continued to examine the building more closely before frowning. "But... Where are the stables?"

It took a moment, but Rose shook her head. "Horses weren't kept in carriage houses usually, Haruna. Most of the time, there was a stable nearby used." Curious herself, Rose walked across the floor until she came to a stop by a window at the other side. Peering out through the rain, her expression brightened as she pointed. "And I do believe that would be one!"

Blinking, Haruna joined her at the window and noticed through the rain a long, low stone building. There was a slate roof on it, but it's age and state of disrepair was obvious as the roof sagged in some places. The doors for it were also hanging limply from their frames, all in all it made Haruna slightly saddened to see it like that. "Horses lived there?"

With a hum, Rose leaned against the window frame and her eyes scanned the old stables. "I do believe so, yes. I... have memories of such places from my previous Mistresses." Then she furrowed her eyebrows a bit. "But it does seem a bit taller then normal, but then one of Master's text books described winged horses, so..." Hearing a rustle, she turned as Haruna pulled out a large roll of paper from inside her sleeve and unrolled it on a nearby table. Tilting her head, Rose noted various small notes and it only took her a moment to realize what she was looking at. "Is that a map of Master's property?"

Just smiling, Haruna nodded some. "Hai, it's a map. Nagato-San wanted one and Haruna has been using her floatplane to explore. It helps get Haruna's pilots used to the Zuiun as well." Closing her eyes for a moment, Haruna then opened them and pulled out a pen as she added the stables to the map. "Haruna is amazed at how many old buildings there are here though."

Rose meanwhile shook her head. "I'm afraid that I am not, Haruna. Master's family is very old, and has lived here for a very long time. So it makes sense that he would have various things on his land." She pointed at one spot close to a pond. "For example, the old mill here. Master's family likely used it for wool and such. It's in good shape though."

That got her a look from Haruna who blinked. "But Rose-Chan, it's missing a roof."

However, Rose only shook her head and gestured with one hand. "A roof can be repaired especially as the walls are intact. It would also be quicker then rebuilding Master's family home and could be a spot to stay in while it is being done." Tapping her chin, she pointed at another building. "I think that you could also convert the pig sty into another residence. It is quite large after all."

Lips twitching, Haruna chuckled a bit. "Haruna was surprised when you told her that it was a pig sty. It is quite big and made of stone after all! But Haruna does agree it would make a nice little place to stay if it was fixed up." Haruna then frowned a bit as she looked over the map. "It makes Haruna sad about how run down everything is though."

Shaking her head, Rose gave a sigh as she looked out the window. "I think that part of it is that over time, the Potter family has shrank and grown. For the past hundred years though, they shrank. According to Master's family book, his family had a dozen members back when I was made. But by the time Master was born, the only members were himself, his parents, and his grandparents who died shortly after. As they shrank, the family stopped caring for some of the old buildings." Then she straightened a bit with a smile. "But they can be fixed. Especially if Master wants this place as one where people can come and rest."

Haruna softly smiled as she pulled Rose into a hug. "Haruna thinks that she would like to come here in such a case with Rose-Chan." Giving her a kiss, the two of them just stood there watching the rain beat down as well as the odd bolt of lightning. Eventually though, Haruna turned her gaze onto the covered vehicles with curiosity in her eyes. "Haruna wonders though what Harry-Chan has here though."

Giggles escaped from Rose as she smiled up at Haruna and smiled. "You just want to know what sort of cars are here. Admit it." At the sheepish smile, Rose shook her head and walked over to cupboard. Opening it, she found an old leather book inside as Haruna pulled the tarp off one of the vehicles closest to the door to the carraige house and gasped. "A Beetle!"

Looking up, Rose frowned as she looked at it and then her expression brightened. "Oh! I know this one!" At Haruna's confusion, she gently patted it. "It belonged to Mistress Lily. I remember my old Mistress, her mother, buying it for her. Mistress Lily oh so loved it." Several minutes later, she gently placed the tarp back onto it and moved to another car. This time, both her and Haruna gasped. "Oh my!"

With shaking hands, Haruna walked over and gently laid her hands on the black painted metal. Eyes wide, she began to examine it from various angles "A Silver Ghost! Haruna has only ever seen these in pictures! But... where did Harry-Chan's family get one?"

Quickly opening the book, Rose paged through it until she came to one spot in particular. "It says here that it belonged to Master's great grandfather, Henry Potter." Running a finger through the book, Rose slowly nodded. "It says here there's... seven cars, three motorcycles and... several bicycles above us. Each one owned by a different Potter." After a moment, Rose bit her lip and looked around. 'I... suppose that it should be okay?'

Having noticed her expression, Haruna tilted her head. "Is something wrong?" When Rose walked towards the car, the Battleship blinked. "Rose-Chan?"

A sheepish smile on her face, Rose scratched the back of her neck in a way that caused Haruna to be reminded of Harry. "I... ever since I've had this form, I wanted to do this." Much to Haruna;s bemusement, Rose stepped up and then sat down in the driver's seat. Gently grabbing the wheel, she had a bright smile on her face. "Oh my, this is a lot more then I had thought! In fact... I wonder if Master might let me take her for a small ride along the lane."

For a moment, Haruna had the image of Rose and her driving the car through the nearby country roads. Oddly, Rose was dressed in the manner that a woman in the 1920s Britain might have been. A look that caused a slight blush to color Haruna's face as she smiled at the obvious enjoyment on Rose's face. 'Haruna might like to do that as well.'
________________________________________________________________________________

Groaning, Harry stetched as trudged along the corridors of Hogwarts. "This... did not feel like a Saturday."

Unable to help herself, Myrtle let out a chuckle at that. When Harry looked at her though, she was well mannered enough to blush. "Well... it has been a rather eventful day for you."

With a sigh, Harry just nodded and ran a hand through his hair. "Tell me about it. I decided to do an run earlier then normal today just to catch the morning chorus. Then Wood decided to spring an early morning practice session until breakfast had nearly ended. And then there was helping Hagrid ship rock cakes back to Yokosuka followed by Mum sending me letters. Writing replies back, though I liked both the letters and writing back."

Myrtle had a small smile on her face as she nodded. "Not to mention all that reading that you were doing." She then tapped a finger to her chin. "Though I don't know why you were looking up Jarveys. They can be rather rude after all!"

There was a flustered look on Harry's face as he scratched the back of his neck. "I was thinking of looking up how to care for them. Mainly to send one to Inazuma-Chan as a pet."

Now more then a little confused, Myrtle frowned a bit. "Okay, but why? I mean, they talk, but..."

Snapping a finger, Harry pointed at her. "And that right there is why. Because Inazuma-Chan once said that being a shipgirl is like being a magical girl. And everyone knows that magical girls have talking, furry mascots!" He then waved a hand around. "Also, because of how Tenryuu-Oba once called her 'Magical Girl Lyrical Nanodesu' when she was drunk."

Despite trying to explain it, Myrtle was even more confused then she was before. 'Magical girls? Talking mascots? Magical Lyrical what now?'

Meanwhile, Harry's mouth opened wide with a yawn as he rolled one shoulder. "Then there was the rest. Like researching rituals because I came across that bit with familiars."

Only shaking her head, Myrtle frowned a bit. "I am still unsure why you were looking those up. After all, most anything that can be done by a ritual can be done with a wand or potion. Granted, I will never understand why people think that they're banned, only the darker ones are. " Seeing the amused look on her friend's face, she blushed a bit. "I was a Ravenclaw, you know."

All Harry did though was wave her off with a snicker. "I know, I know. But I was thinking about Hedwig, especially as it is pretty interesting." Scratching his chin, he frowned a bit. "I was surprised at how some non-magical ones are actually based on magical ones."

That caught Myrtle's attention and she turned to him fully. "Really?"

Slowly, Harry shrugged some. "Yeah, some anyways. You know that whole 'Blood Brothers' thing? Where you slit a finger or the palm and so does someone else with you holding your wounds together? Turns out that was originally a magical ritual. Apparently it was to connect families or add someone to the others. Could even give a sense of when the other was in danger as well."

Frowning, Myrtle blinked as she processed that. "Huh... I did not know that."

With another shrug, Harry sighed a bit. "Pretty neat. But then I had my non-magical homework and... ugh, I did not know I had that much."

Rather amused, Myrtle shook her head. "Well, I for one am happy that I do not need to deal with what you have. And kind of sad as well."

At his look, she gave him a sad smile. For his part, Harry grimaced a bit but then shook it off. "Anyways, just the same..." Feeling his eyelids become heavy, he let out another yawn. "Thanks for sticking beside me all day."

Much to his surprise though, Myrtle waved him off with a giggle. "No need to thank me, Harry. I have not had as much fun in years and maybe I should spend more time outside my bathroom this year at least. But I should thank you for letting me stay around you all day." Seeing him yawn again, she snorted which became giggles. "I think that someone needs a bit of sleep. Especially after the eventful first week back that you've had."

Grinning, Harry chuckled with his eyes partially opened. "Yeah, I'm probably going to go and lie down once I get back to the tower..."

His voice trailed off as he could hear something, a voice of breath taking, ice cold venom. A voice that every instinct told him carried death with it. "{Come... come to me... let me rip you... let me tear the flesh from your bones... let me kill you...}"

Suddenly wide eyed, Harry was looking around the empty corridor with his heart beating in his chest. "What the bloody hell was that!?"

Frowning, Myrtle was also looking around. "What was what, Harry?" Then her eyes went a bit wide as she noticed how pale Harry looked. "Harry? What's wrong?" With a swallow, Harry told her what he had heard and she became thoughtful. "Odd, I didn't hear anything and I'm right here. Just the whistle of wind through the corridors. Could you have imagined it?"

Very slowly, Harry shook his head. "I... don't think that I did? I mean, I might have, but I could have sworn..."

Just watching him, Myrtle eventually nodded. "You may just need a little sleep. But just the same, let's hurry you back to Gryffindor Tower. I'll be right here by your side until you reach it and then I'll come back and have a look around in case I can find anything."

Immensely thankful, the black haired boy tiredly reached out to pat her shoulder. "Thanks." When he felt the chill though, he jerked his hand back as Myrtle gave some laughs at his reaction. It almost felt like putting his hand through cold jello after all. They soon got to Gryffindor Tower and, as she said, Myrtle went back. The next day when he asked her, she stated that she found nothing, but had seen Peeves head around the corner when she returned. Both of them deciding he must have been playing a prank at most.

 

[darthcourt10]

Harry Leferts

Humming softly, Naka continued to set up the camera and eventually nodded to herself. 'And... that's all I can do for the cameras here.' With a thoughtful look, she turned and stopped. For several moments she was expressionless before her lips slowly curled upwards. "Really, Haida-San? I mean, really?"

Simply adjusting her cap, Haida grinned a bit as she held her arms out. "What? It's traditional!" She then turned to a fellow Canadian Destroyer who was snickering. "Right, Sis?"

Athabaskan I only nodded as she tried her best to stiffle her amusement. "I suppose that is one way of putting it." Watching as Haida adjusted her plaid shirt, she eventually gave a thumbs up. "Ready? Our fairies are ready to start playing the music."

Much to Naka's amusement, Haida only grinned even more as she twirled an odd object that looked like a cross between a spear and a boat hook. "Born ready." Raising an eyebrow, Haida looked over her sister. "You ready for your part?"

Once more, Athabaskan I gave her a thumbs up. "I was born ready as well."

With a nod, Haida hopped onto the water and made her way across it until she reached several logs bobbing on the water. Then she stepped onto one and dismissed her rigging and kept her balance easily as she adjusted the microphone headset. Clearing her throat, she tapped it. "Check, one, two, three. Everything ready?"

Up on the shore, Naka watched somewhat impressed and gave her a nod. "Everything checks out! Ready in three... two... one!" As the fairies began to play music, Naka turned towards Athabaskan I who seemed to have a massive grin on her face like her sister. "Thanks for this, having a soundtrack of shipgirls from around the world singing songs of their nations would be a big help, especially in PR and for raising money."

Her arms folded against her chest, Athabaskan I watched as her sister began to move among the logs as a log driver of old did. "No worries. But I think that this might cause some headaches among the Admiralty back home. So worth it though."

That caused Naka to raise an eyebrow, but before she could say anything else, Haida began to sing.

"If you ask any girl from the parish around
What pleases her most from her head to her toes
She'll say I'm not sure that it's business of yours
But I do like to waltz with a log driver."

Frowning, Naka barely held back a snort as she quickly went over the lyrics. 'O-oh, you have got to be kidding me...'

Out on the water, Haida hopped from one log to another with it twirling around as she used the peavy to pull other logs close as she continued to sing.

"For he goes birling down and down white water
That's where the log driver learns to step lightly
Yes, birling down and down white water
The log driver's waltz pleases girls completely

When the drive's nearly over I like to go down
And watch all the lads as they work on the river
I know that come evening they'll be in the town
And we all like to waltz with the log driver"

Naka choked a bit as she could just imagine how some out there would react as Haida did a twirl on one of the logs. 'Pretty impressive though.'

Walking backwards and setting the log she was on spinning, Haida placed one hand behind her back as she belted out the next bit.

"To please both my parents, I've had to give way
And dance with the doctors and merchants and lawyers
Their manners are fine, but their feet are of clay
And there's none with the style of my log driver

For he goes birling down and down white water
That's where the log driver learns to step lightly
Yes, birling down and down white water
The log driver's waltz pleases girls completely"

Just as Naka was about to comment, she noticed that Athabaskan was gone and heard a splash. Looking out, there was the other Canadian Destroyer joining Haida in singing, but on a different log. And as they continued to sing, eventually they were on the same log with grins.

"Now I've had my chances with all sorts of men
But none as so fine as my lad on the river
So when the drive's over, if he asks me again
I think I will marry my log driver

For he goes birling down and down white water
That's where the log driver learns to step lightly
Yes, birling down and down white water
The log driver's waltz pleases girls completely
Birling down and down white water
The log driver's waltz pleases girls completely"

As the music died, both Canadians slowed down the rolling of their logs and then bowed, still keeping perfect balance which made Naka shake her head as she clapped her hands. "And... Perfect! This is so going on my channel!" As both Canadian Destroyers headed back to shore, dragging the logs with them, Naka shook her head. 'Kind of wish that Chibi was here, he would have enjoyed this.'
____________________________________________________________________

Sitting across from Harry, Hermione raised an eyebrow as he set out a can. It was getting on in September and she hummed a bit. "What are you doing, Harry?"

Just glancing at her for a moment, Harry brought his wand out and pointed at the can. "Doing a bit of work."

Hermione merely watched as the can began to flatten until it was fully crushed. As it began to fold in half lengthwise, the Light Cruiser hummed. "Okay, but you didn't say what sort of work."

With another glance at her, Harry turned back as the can folded again. "Um, kind of testing out something." Seeing her still interested, Harry shrugged a bit. "You know how magic can cause a summoning to be more effective, right?"

Slowly, Hermone nodded. "Yes? I mean, we did figure that out and the Royal Navy at least is still trying to figure that out. Though I heard that we've been consulting with Professor Crowning over in the United States as he's quite good at figuring out the mechanics of summoning. But what does this have to do with anything."

His focus more on what had been a can, Harry frowned a bit. "Okay, and how does transfiguration work?"

That caused Hermione to raise her eyebrow even further as she forced down her first answer and gave it some thought. After a few moments, she tilted her head to the side and her eyes widened a bit. "Transfiguring something involves placing your magic into the object and using that to change it!"

Now grinning, Harry nodded as the can folded yet another time. "Yeah, part of transfiguring something is forcing your magic into it to change it. According to what I read, that's why transfiguring magic items and beings is so hard. Because you're fighting the magic already there. When I asked Professor McGonagall about it, she stated that even after, there's some of the magic used imbued in the transfigured item. That means..."

It was then that Hermione reaized that the seams between the folds of the can were disappearing leaving behind a solid bar of steel. "It means that these bars of metal have some of your magic?" At his nod, she rubbed her chin a bit. "So you think that it might affect the summoning? And give it a better chance of working?"

With a small frown, Harry nodded some. "Pretty much? Akashi-Oba also said it might work when I asked her through the mail and gave me permission to perform an experiment in it."

Frowning, Hermione narrowed her eyes some. "Harry, you really should not be performing experiments involving summoning. What happens if you summon something really, really bad?"

Softly snorting, Harry shook his head. "I'm not going to be summoning though, Hermione." At her surprise, he grinned a bit. "Isokaze-Chan wants to summon one of her sisters, Dess. So I'm doing this and thinking of her sister as I'm doing it. Maybe it might help call her easier when they use it in the normal summoning offerings. She seemed really, really happy in her reply to my idea after all. Hamakaze-Chan and Yukikaze-Chan as well going by their own letters."

Intrigued by what she was hearing, Hermione leaned forward and placed her chin on her hands. "I see... That's not too surprising, Harry." A thought then occurred to her and she frowned a bit. "But then what if it works?"

Only shrugging, Harry hummed a bit. "Well... I'm thinking of building up a small stockpile for Kawa-San's awakening ceremony. Maybe try to turn coal into oil or something and see if that works too. Akashi-Oba is very interested and asked me to come up with ideas to run past her after all."

All Hermione did was nod with a small frown on her face. "I see..."

 

[darthcourt10]

Azzaciel

The Once and Future Ship, Part 14

__________

Prydwen's first few weeks at Hogwarts had been informative, if only because she spent most of her time in the library reading everything she could. While she delved into the literary collection, Fou and Merlin had sat out on a quest of their own. Namely to inspect and then secure Fou's territory. They had already been underway when she'd arrived at the school and Fou had been alright with the idea to trade rights to its usage for her stay, if only so it didn't get claimed by some other persons or creatures.

The woman who'd handled her request to learn and trade knowledge of magic had accepted this offer citing that 'it would be nice to have a protected place to study plants that don't grow around Hogwarts' and 'in these troubling times having a place for our students to learn to survive the wilderness can only be a benefit'. When asked if the forest next to the school might not fit the same purposes, she had been informed that it was 'far too dangerous for mere students to linger in'. Prydwen had silently questioned the wisdom to have a school for children next to such a place but hadn't voiced her thoughts.

For the first week she'd been guided in the castle by the girl who'd opened the door for her. When Prydwen had asked young Helena why she did so instead of leaving it to a servant, she had answered that as the daughter of one of the castles four owners, it was only courteous towards a guest to look after her needs personally. Prydwen found her diligent pursuit of a host's duty admirable and said as much.

She had found early in her reading, that she would have to procure a wand in order to perform any magic taught at Hogwarts, while her staff could stand in for a time, it was incredibly unwieldy when trying to perform 'wanded' magic. When she had asked her guide where she could find a wand, Helena had given her a plan for an excursion to the capital where the best wandcrafter was located. She had even assured her that she'd accompany her, when Prydwen had admitted to being unfamiliar with the city. She wondered how Fou and Merlin were doing in their task.
__________

In a valley untouched by civilization, a conversation took place. To most it would sound like not much more than a repeated "Hey!" and "Fou~", but to those that could understand the two participants, it would sound something like the following.

"Ya know Fou, I've been thinking."

"A new height of achievement for you, but continue."

"Ya ever notice that Priwwy doesn't understand the reasons for anyone to do what they do, unless someone spells it out to her?"

"It has come to my attention from time to time, yes."

"Then ya can understand that she is an innocent maiden in need of protection from what Guinevere calls lecherous scum, yes?"

"So from people like you?"

"No no! I'm talking about leeches who would take advantage of her oblivious nature to attach themselves to her."

"So from people like you?"

"...Fine, be that way. But ya agree with me, right?"

"Against my better judgement of disagreeing with you on principle, I do."

"Perfect. Since neither i, nor the valiant swords-for-brains can come out when Priwwy actively prevents us from doing so, it falls to ya to guard her."

"I understand that easily enough, what I don't though is, why you of all people are talking to me about this."

"...If I can't have a go at her, nobody will."

"..."
__________

Prydwen's guided trip to 'the greatest city in the land' had achieved its objective and she now possessed a wand, though she hadn't been paying attention when the wandcrafter had gone on about different woods and cores. Even if it mattered, Merlin would figure it out and explain it much better than the Oddlywanderer guy or whatever his name was. Helena had brought her to him as soon as possible, and then continued to show her around as they waited for the wand to be finished. Helena had been in a surprisingly good mood the entire time, it was probably how she could skip classes for the time this excursion took.

Back at Hogwarts Prydwen had tested out some spells, and to her embarrassment destroyed some furniture. This was the time when she first met the house elves of Hogwarts. As she tried to apologise to them for creating unnecessary work though, they had thanked her for the increased workload and that she should call for them if 'the great lady Pwyddy Eats-a-lots' needed anything. It was an incredibly confusing experience.
__________


AN:
Look upon narrative bias, and rejoice.
Merlin, why?
Helena, you poor soul.

 

[darthcourt10]

Harry Leferts

Walking along the corridor, Ooyodo frowned thoughtfully as she looked over her sister's shoulder at the clipboard there. "Hmm... So your next duty is to inspect the preserves that Rose-San and Haruna have made?"

Quickly glancing at her, Niyodo nodded before turning back to her clipboard. "Hai, Onee-Sama. The two of them brought back preserves from Harry-Chan's family orchard. Though... they did ask for an extra week of leave for Haruna so that they could stay there and make more."

Simply sighing, Ooyodo nodded as she ran a hand through her hair. "Leave which was granted seeing as Haruna has worked rather hard over the years. With how things are, she could have taken another week, maybe. But I am thankful that she only took two weeks, though she has asked if her and Rose could do it again next year."

Eyebrows raising, Niyodo turned towards her sister. "She did? Are they going to be granted it?"

For a few moments, Ooyodo was silent. Then she waggled her hand a little back and forth. "It depends on a few factors. One would be what operations might be planned for that time frame. Another is just how much the two of them brought back, though I am thankful that there's been a relaxing on rules regarding foodstuffs. Especially as it seems if it's placed in our holds, anything harmful just... vanishes."

Nodding, Niyodo considered her sister's words. As time went on, Ooyodo gave her more and more responsibilities as she got more used to things and experienced. Oddly, a number of things revolved around things dealing with Harry. Such as Rose's needs for her little kitchen in the docks area, or helping Harry plan events such as Easter Egg hunt the year before. Moments later though, she shook off those thoughts and waved as a middle aged man stepped into view, greying hair at his temples. "Good morning, Saito-San!"

A small smile on his face, Saito chuckled at her. "Good morning to you as well, Niyodo-San, Ooyodo-San. Judging by the message you sent, Haruna-San and Rose-San have returned?"

Only nodding, Niyodo nodded. "Hai, they returned this morning. According to them, they were successful in getting us a good amount of preserves to be used."

Slowly shaking his head, Saito, who was the head cook for the shipgirl section of the base, only chuckled. "Well then, I am looking forward to seeing what they got. While normal preserves are good, there is something about homemade which is always good."

With a small smile, Ooyodo gave a small hum. "I suppose that is true enough. Rose-San's black current preserves proved to be quite popular. Mamiya in particular found that using them to make black current ice cream had Destroyers and others selling it out."

That caused Niyodo to lick her lips as she remembered having gotten some as a treat for her work. Beside her, Saito gave a laugh. "True enough. And there's still quite a bit left over." His grin widening, he snickered. "Speaking of... have you heard about the newest incident between Mamiya-San and her 'Rival' in cooking?"

Groaning softly, Ooyodo nodded and facepalmed. "Yes, I heard about how those two got into another of their cooking competitions yet again. And that they are challenging each other again once the saury season begins."

Unable to help herself, Niyodo giggled some. "I heard that Hoppou-San and Wokyuu-San might be helping catch some."

Not quite sure how to take that, Ooyodo only shook her head with a sigh. "As long as it does not cause too much issue at the festival, I don't mind. I think that many will have too much problem with it. Not to mention the attention that the cooking competition might get."

Humming, Saito gave her a look. "Yes, I'm sure of that. Awfully strange how those two always seem to find themselves set up across from each other, isn't it?"

In reply, Ooyodo coughed into her fist. "Hai, very strange that. But unfortunately that is the only spot for them, and so it cannot be helped."

Beside her, Niyodo was frowning a bit. "Besides, Onee-Sama only helps out, it's Houshou-San who has been change of the festival even though she's in Kure."

There was some redness in Ooyodo's cheeks as she wouldn't look her sister in the eye. "Quite." Ignoring the amused look on Saito's face, she coughed. "So, do you have any idea how you might be using what Haruna and Rose-San brought back?"

A thoughtful look on his face, Saito frowned a bit as he considered the question. "I will admit, I have given it some thought. It really depends on how much they made and brought back after all. Depending on the amount... it might give us a few weeks of supplies for when we need to stretch things out a bit more. Rose-San will certainly want some for her kitchen though, especially as the winter months do have a slight uptick in missions. So she will likely need them there."

Frowning, Ooyodo finally sighed as they reached the door to the storage area set aside for Rose's preserves. "Hopefully it is enough. Even if it's no more then maybe a three week supply, I will be happy."

With that said, she reached up and knocked on the door with it opening several moments later to reveal Rose. Upon seeing them, the tsukumogami's expression lit up. "Ah! Miss Ooyodo and Miss Niyodo... Mister Saito, welcome." Opening the door, she gestured them inside. "Haruna and I were just finishing up a bit with sorting the preserves."

On Ooyodo's face there was a small smile as she gave the other woman a nod. "Thank you, Rose-San. I'm sure that you've done good... work..."

She trailed off as she caught sight of the preserves. Blinking, Rose looked between her and the jars which had Haruna there. Then she noticed how Niyodo and Saito also seemed shocked. "Is... something wrong?"

At the time, when she had heard about the preserves, Ooyodo had expected a couple of jars. Not too many, but maybe enough to stretch out. But now, she could see shelves of various preserves. Not just berry ones, but ones such as apples, pears, and so on. Finally, Ooyodo turned to a confused and worried Rose. "I'm sorry, Rose-San, I was just not expecting this much."

Just sighing, Rose regarded the preserves and nodded. "Oh yes, I suppose that there's not too much here. But I think that Haruna and I did the best that we could have hoped for in the time given. We had to go with smaller jars as well as that way if we use one, we don't need to worry about it spoiling before being empty."

Eyes tracking from Rose to the preserves, Saito coughed into his hand to hide his grin. "I somehow doubt that will be much of a problem, Rose-San. Still, you did do a good job considering."

Beaming, Rose gave a small bow. "Thank you, Mister Saito. Haruna's cooks helped me out quite a bit by peeling and cutting the fruit so that I could work on the actual cooking portion. I gave them some as a gift."

Off by the shelf, Haruna nodded as she placed another jar from inside her sleeve onto the shelf itself. Ooyodo wondered just how much was placed into her holds as Haruna smiled. "Haruna's crew really liked Rose-Chan's preserves. Especially Haruna's cooks and they think that next year, they can help her make some in my galley."

For a few seconds, Ooyodo blinked and then turned to the shelves. "... Just a question, but how much could you bring next year?"

Turning thoughtful, Rose frowned and tapped her chin. "If I was to have help... perhaps twice as much? Or maybe triple the amount? Master's orchard did have quite the amount of fruit." Suddenly, she snapped her fingers. "Oh! And I was wondering if Miss Junyou was around?"

Confused at the turn in the conversation, Ooyodo blinked and then turned towards her after checking her logs. But it was Niyodo who answered. "Yes, Junyou-San is around, Rose-San. In fact I saw her just this morning... but why would you need to know that?"

On Rose's face there was a smile before she shook her head. "While exploring the orchard, Haruna and I came across a perry pear tree. We brought some back and I was hoping that Junyou could help me make some perry."

Eyebrows furrowing, Ooyodo rolled that around in her head. "Perry? And that is?"

Realizing the issue, Rose blushed a bit. "I'm sorry, perry is an alcoholic drink made from pears. Rather like cider and there's specific pears that work best. Haruna told me that there's a drink like that here in Japan and I was thinking that perhaps Junyou could help me."

That caused Saito to raise his eyebrows in surprise. "You know how to make pear cidre?"

Slowly nodding, Rose frowned a bit. "I do, though I don't really know from which of my previous owners it came from. It just came to me the day after we found the tree on Master's property, I think that maybe it came from Master James. How though, I don't know."

Despite the confusion, Niyodo nodded some. "If Onee-Sama wants, I can go and ask Junyou-San if she can give you a hand. Though do you have enough from a single tree?"

Much to her confusion, Rose giggled at that and nodded. "Oh yes, I'll have plenty as it is an old tree and there were some others as a wind break for the orchard. I think it might be a century old or so... But we can get more then we brought."

It was Haruna who answered the unasked question. "Rose-Chan ran out of jars and we needed to have Dreadnought-San come and bring some more. And then Rose-Chan explained the problem with Dreadnought-San coming up with a solution. She could get some of the older shipgirls to help gather up fruit and then send us some more through Harry-Chan's box since they have magicals that can help make boxes bigger on the inside."

Ooyodo did some calculations and then slowly nodded. "I'll have to send a thank you note to her then. Because that could be a very big help..." Internally, another thought occurred to her. 'And if this "Perry" is good, perhaps we could use a bottle or two for gifts to certain people. After all, a foreign drink brewed by an actual tsukumogami might be worth quite a bit...'

 

[darthcourt10]

Harry Leferts

Confusion.

Complete and utter confusion.

That was all that Harry felt as he realized that he was once more having that odd dream he had been having on and off for the past few months. Yet again, the black haired wizard found himself seemingly floating, and standing on something at the same time, within darkness. There was no sound whatsoever that reached his ears, not even that of his own breaths. But from somewhere around him light came for him to see, even though there was no source.

Just standing there, Harry glanced up at the black string that stretched from his forehead out into the darkness. As he watched, a bulge slowly moved down it towards him, but he silently sighed. Even though the wizard had told Haru, Junyou, and Ryuujou about it, none of the three could help him. About the only thing that they could do was tell him to write down the dream whenever it happened and also write down anything that happened and he observed.

Suddenly, he was snapped out of his thoughts as the bulge in the black string reached his forehead and entered it. There was the now familiar feeling of both a chill and a burning sensation. When he turned to look over his shoulder though, he raised an eyebrow at the state of the golden strings as a bulge entered them. Several were badly frayed by this point, but his attention was focused on a few in particular.

Mainly the ones that, for some odd reason, reminded him of Louisiana.

Each one of them were as thick as a rope, except where they were frayed in the middle. It was then that he realized that one of them was so thin, it was as if there was only a string holding it together. Narrowing his eyes, Harry traced his gaze along it and frowned as he realized that at the end, there was something. What it was though, was lost through the darkness and he couldn't make it out.

But then his attention was caught by the small bulge that reached it. Said bulge just made it past the frayed bit when there was a twang that Harry both felt and heard, but didn't at the same time as the string snapped. As he watched, the string dissolved into motes of light on either side of the break as it slowly disappeared. When it reached the main cord, it simply vanished.

While it did that, Harry watched another bulge slowly exit his back and go down the string and break apart into each individual one. Except this time, each path got more then it had before. Then Harry turned back to the other part of the string and watched as it continued to fade and break apart. Eventually, it vanished and there was some sort of movement followed by a gasp, which caused Harry's eyes to widen. But before he could see what was going on, there was a burning sensation in his scar that made him hiss.

And then Harry woke up in his bed staring at the canopy utterly befuddled. "What the bloody heck was that?"

Sitting up though, Harry heard a hiss and looked down to see a sleepy Shiromizu staring up at him. "{Harry? What are you doing up?}"

Gently picking her up, Harry moved her to the side and swung his legs over the side of the bed. "{I had that dream again. You know the one.}"

Just watching him, it took Shiromizu a few moments before she answered him. "{The one where you were a wildlife documentary narrator and there was stuff like Tenryuu dressed in a bear costume and DesDiv6 as her cubs? With them also in bear costumes? And Jersey in a dragon costume?}"

For several seconds there was silence before Harry coughed. "{Um, no, not that one. And I had that dream only three times, Shiromizu. Three.}" Ignoring the amused look, he got up and began to walk towards the bathroom. "{What I meant was the one with strings?}"

Nodding, Shiromizu followed him with a soft hiss. "{Were red strings involved?}"

That got her a look from Harry before he sighed and rolled his eyes. "{The one with the golden strings in it. But this time there was something different that happened in it.}"

Curious, Shiromizu stopped in front of the bathroom and watched as Harry turned on the faucet and splashed himself in the face. "{Oh? Something happened?}" If anything, her curiosity went up as Harry nodded while drying off his face. "{So what happened then?}"

Harry pulled the cloth away from his face and stared in the mirror for several moments before frowning. "{One of those strings in it snapped. And I heard a gasp, but before anything else happened I woke up.}" Reaching up, he rubbed his scar which still burned slightly. "{My scar hurt for some reason though.}"

If he had looked at Shiromizu at that moment, he might have seen the odd sight of a worried expression on a snake's face. But by the time he turned to her, it was gone. "{Perhaps it was nothing. Just in case though, he should probably write it in your dream journal.}"

Slowly nodding, Harry walked over towards his side table where the journal was kept. "{I was actually about to do that.}" Partway there though, he stopped and looked out the window. Eyes widening some, he quickly made his way over and opened it. "What in the world?!"

Feeling the burst of cold air, Shiromizu slithered over and then up the leg of his pajama pants to keep warm by coiling around his leg. "{That is exactly what I am wondering, Harry! What is with opening the window!?}"

However, Harry did not answer as he leaned his head out the window and stared into the darkness. Up above, a cloud moved over the Moon and soon he was unable to see anything. "{I thought that I saw something out there. In the air moving across the lake.}"

Shiromizu would have raised an eyebrow if she could have. "{Something was moving across the lake? Maybe it was an owl?}"

Very slowly, Harry shook his head. "{No, I'm pretty sure that it was a person on a broom. But why would someone be flying out there this late at night though?}"

All Shiromizu did was hiss and he could feel her move a bit. "{Who knows? Maybe it was someone heading out for a late night meeting with their boyfriend or girlfriend.}" Almost like she could see Harry's look, Shiromizu gave a snake's version of a snort. "{It would be a much better idea then to get caught in the halls after all.}"

Giving it some thought, Harry slowly nodded and closed the window. "{I guess that makes sense. Really weird though.}"

If it was possible for snakes to roll their eyes, Shiromizu would have done so. "{Ignore it, just write out your dream and head to bed so I can get some sleep as well.}"

Rather amused, Harry shot off a small salute. "{Ma'am, yes Ma'am. As you order, Ma'am.}"

There were amused hisses from Shiromizu as she answered back. "{And don't you forget it.}"

Only shaking his head, Harry began to make his way back to bed. But he did look back at the window though and wonder. Mainly because something told him that he should try and find out more about what happened before he squashed that down.

It could wait until morning after all.
___________________________________________________________________________

Softly landing, the flyer put the school broom to the side. It was one of the ones being tossed out after all with new ones coming in. No one would miss it and it could be easily hidden. The reason though about it being replaced caused a sneer that did not belong on the face to appear.

The Royal Navy and shipgirls.

When they had heard about the second, they had needed to squash the urge to say something. About the filth. To reveal themselves before they were ready. But they had not and had slowly gained knowledge. Knowledge that showed that these beings were dangerous, far too dangerous to be left alone. One day perhaps, they would bow before them no doubt.

Just like all the others would.

However, until then, they would need to wait. Bide their time until they could make moves to make everything the way it should have gone. Just the thought of what had happened made their stomach churn in rage and hate. Moments later though, they pushed that down, best to leave that until later. Right now though, they had something that they needed to do before time ran out. And they would need to be quick as they did not have much time.

Internally, the thought that their plan needed to change caused another spike of annoyance and anger. Their plan might now work now, not as it was. Shoving down the annoyance and anger, they took a deep breath of the chill, autumn night air. No, plans could be changed and needs worked around. After all, what that not what they strived for?

It did not take them long though to reach the stream that they had found quite some time ago. During the day, one could trace it to it's source in the mountains that towered above both Hogwarts and the Black Lake. Deep and cold, it wound it's way down their sides until it reached the loch down below. A treacherous stream with its stones black and slick, one that had likely claimed more then one life of the unwary.

Thankfully though, the figure did not need to get to close and set down a bag. Flicking out their wand, they took a deep breath and then spoke the spell. For several moments, there was nothing at all before there was suddenly a splash and something shot out of the water. Moving to the side, they watched as the object landed in the grass and flopped around. Amused, they watched as it snapped it's toothed jaws and tried to breath as they chuckled and their voice sounded like it was two when they spoke. "My, aren't we a strong one. And big as well for a pickerel, you will do quite nicely."

Humming merrily, they pulled out a small vial which glowed and placed it on a stone. Then they took the bag they held and dumped it revealing two ravens inside. One could mistake them for being dead as they did not move until they realized that their chests were moving. Softly whistling, the figure crouched down and pulled something from inside their cloak.

And then the Moon peaked out and some of it's light glinted off the knife there.

Only continuing to hum, the figure began it's work. "Well, I suppose that a little bit of insurance never hurt anyone. Not that I think that you might agree." Some chuckles escaped them as they shook their head. "Nice and fresh, that Lovecraft fellow had the most interesting ideas for a muggle animal. A bit of a shame that. But oh so useful, especially if to keep interference away."

Then the Moon was once more covered by clouds as if they did want to observe what was happening down below. While they worked though, the figure had only two main thoughts. One was how those creatures would react. And the other was why the Other never used their little experiments.

No matter, that can wait.

It can wait.

 

[darthcourt10]

Harry Leferts

Radetzky stood at ease while glancing at Katrina who was adjusting her dress for what seemed like the sixth time in as many minutes. "Relax, you do not need to worry so much, Ma'am. Both Admiral Cunningham and Admiral Hartmann as good men."

Grinning, and showing her sharp teeth, Azure looked at her adopted mother. "Yeah, Mum. Listen to Rady here, you got nothing to worry about." Ignoring the twitch from Radetzky, as well as the slight snickers from others, she continued. "Anyways, all you're doing is meeting with these two ahead of the actual diplomats. Preliminaries."

Tone turning dry, Katrina turned to her daughter with a slight frown. "Thank you ever so much for reminding me, dear."

In turn, Azure gave her a thumbs up. "You're welcome, Mum. So just relax."

Only shaking her head as she looked skyward, Katrina internally sighed. 'At least the weather is holding out.' Then she turned to the honor guard waiting by the airstrip and nodded. Members of the island's defense force stood side by side with members of the K. U.K. Kriegsmarine, both groups interspersed with each other. For a brief moment, the cat woman allowed herself a small chuckle at how easily the two groups had gotten along with each other and trusted the other. A glance to the side got her a nod from Radetzky which made her smile at the reminder of how she had grown a close friendship with the shipgirl.

When she glanced to her other side, there was Thunderchild stiff backed. Something that caused her to relax as if the Heroine of the Island was nervous, then she needed to put forward a more calm state.

Suddenly, the drone of engines caused her to look up as an airplane, with several fairy floatplanes, passed over head. As the obviously military plane landed, the floatplanes did the same in a nearby lake dug for the purpose. It pulled up as several fairies rolled out a red carpet to the lowering ramp and, moments later, two older gentleman walked down the ramp with several women at their side. Both stopped at the bottom as both the Shipgirls and the Defense Force saluted them and presented arms as a nearby group of children sung the island's unofficial anthem.

Part of Katrina panicked a bit at the expressions on those being greeted until they relaxed and saluted the group. And, as the music died out, the cat woman walked forward down the carpet until she reached them and gave a small bow. "I am Mayor Katrina of Saint Brendan's Island, and I welcome you to our home and bring you greetings."

Giving her a warm smile, Cunningham bowed his head some as he began his own greetings. Off to the side, Radetzky gave Thunderchild a small poke as she whispered out of the side of her mouth. "Do not be so tense, my friend."

Quickly glancing at her, Thunderchild tried not to frown as she whispered back. "Can you not blame me? They have brought two famous Battleships, a Battlecruiser, and a Heavy Cruiser among their representatives. I am nothing more then a Torpedo Boat who militaries considered obsolete as soon as she was built."

Much to her surprise though, Radetzky gave her a look. "And you are the Flagship of your people and their beloved protector. Few are the ships or shipgirls who slew a Abyssal Demon singlehandedly, and for that you should stand tall and proud, because you are equal."

As this was going on, Hartmann did his own greetings and soon the conversation turned to introductions with the Admirals going first and then gesturing to the shipgirls with them with Hartmann going first. "... And this is my Secretary Ship, BIsmarck, first of her class. Following us is Prinz Eugen. My British Counterpart's Secretary Ship, Queen Elizabeth as well as Hood."

Nodding at each, Katrina then gestured at those with her. "I am sure that you recognize Radetzky of the K.u.K Kriegsmarine. On my other side is our own native shipgirl, Thunderchild and my daughter, Azure." With smiles, handshakes were exchanged as one of the island's photographers and a military one took pictures. Then Katrina gestured for them to follow. "If you will, I have transport to our main town here on the island, in particular a rather nice inn. We have a dinner waiting for us so that we can fill our stomaches before we begin out talks."

Chuckling, there was some humor in Hood's eyes as she followed them and the others. "That does sound rather nice, actually." Reaching their destination, her expression lit up. "A train!"

With an unsure smile on her face, Thunderchild nodded. "We don't have much in the way of cars here on the island. So the most common form of long distance transport here is via trains like the one in front of you. I assure you, the Mayoral car is impressive and comfortable."

Only sharing a look with Bismarck, Hood reached over and gently squeezed the smaller shipgirl's shoulder before leaning in. "Relax, you stand among friends and allies. Also know that you have earned our respect many times over with how you stood between your people and their doom."

It was only once they were inside the car and out of sight that the three main representatives for Saint Brendan's relaxed. Seeing that, Cunningham chuckled a bit. "Perhaps a bit tense?"

Sighing, Katrina nodded some as she slumped in her seat and the train began to move. "One could say that, yes. I am after all not used to all this... From Mayor to..."

Just raising an eyebrow, Bismarck watched as Azure poured them all drinks before nodding. "There is a story behind that, is there not?" At the confusion, she tilted her head some. "The title of Mayor for one in charge of the island."

Thoughtful, Katrina placed her furred hands in her lap and nodded. "The Mayor of the main town here on the island has always been the defacto leader of the island. In all honestly, my full title would be 'Mayor of Seastone, Lord Protector of the Island and Peoples of Saint Brendan's Isle', but that is a bit of a mouthful I'm afraid and... I do know my history and how said title could be seen."

Fingers tapping against the wooden armrest of her seat, Elizabeth slowly nodded. "Yes, I can see how that may be an issue. But when the true delegation arrives, perhaps you may use it." Then her lips turned up slightly into a smile. "And a rather nice touch with the children there."

Shaking her head, Katrina shrugged. "They wished to greet the people who sent aid and to thank them. I did not see a problem with that and children do help us look more human."

Unnoticed by her, that got her some frowns but they soon covered it up.
__________________________________________________________________________

Leaning back, Eugen patted her lips with a napkin before sighing as she patted her belly. "Danke, Frau Katrina. The meal was wonderful and please pass on my respects to the cooks."

Softly smiling, Katrina gave her a smile. "I shall do so and I think that they will be quite happy with that."

With a hum, Hood glanced at the bones that remained of the cooked bird given to her with a thoughtful look. "Whatever was that by the way? It was the size of an turkey and yet tasted much like a duck."

Giving a grin, which also showed off her sharp teeth, Azure shrugged. "Some kind of giant, flightless duck. I guess we found them when we settled the island and domesticated them. Pretty good eating really."

Humming, Bismarck poured herself a measure of a drink from a bottle and sipped it. Then she saluted with it. "This mead is also rather wonderful. Perhaps we shall take a bottle of it back for my Schwester as she would enjoy it."

Plates being cleared off the table, Katrina sipped her own wine. "And I will give you a bottle then." Once the various servers and such were gone, she sighed and leaned back. "And now comes the least enjoyable part of the day."

Just clearing his throat, Cunningham nodded with a small sigh. "Yes, just some minor negotiations ahead of the main ones. Before we go further though, Her Majesty's government wishes to apologize to both you and the others on the island for how they were treated. You should never have been left to die as you would have been considered British citzens at the time. Of course, we don't know how you feel about such a thing at the moment..."

Catching the meaning, Katrina nodded some and spread her hands out. "We would still be considered British citizens of a sort. Rather like the Falklands or Gibraltar I believe. As it is, the people of the island don't blame you for what happened in the slightest as those who are truly at fault would just ignore you. In fact, we're thankful for the aid that you, your government and military, as well as the German and EU nations such as Norway have given us in our time of need."

A thin smile on his face, Hartmann nodded as he placed his own drink down. "Now, this does bring us to our next subject which we can discuss more in depth, which is the defense of your island and people." Seeing Katrina open her mouth, he raised a hand slightly. As she nodded, Hartmann turned to Radetzky with a thoughtful look. "Redatzky, would you and your fellows like to stay here to defend the people?"

Eyes widening a bit, Radetzky smiled a bit. "It would be our honor to do so, Admiral. My fellow shipgirls have grown to enjoy themselves here as the people are friendly and open. And so I see no issues if we were to be based here on a more permanent basis."

Smiling over at her, Katrina nodded. "And we would welcome you with open arms in such a case."

Only looking between them, Hartmann smiled warmly and clapped his hands. "Then I do not see a problem on my hand. Consider such done until further notice."

Meanwhile, Cunningham frowned slightly. "There is, of course, the small issue of how to handle the other forms of defense. Under normal circumstances, we would station a garrison here on the island. Said garrison would be mostly of the British Army as well as the Royal Air Force, but we're unsure how the islanders would look at it. Especially as it could serve as a reminder of a... less liked time."

Understanding the meaning, Katrina grimaced a bit. "Yes, I suppose that it true enough unfortunately."

To her surprise, Cunningham smiled and nodded. "Which is why it has been asked that I extend an offer through myself for if you would be open to trainers to help with the island's Defense Forces..."

As Katrina and the Admirals continued to talk, Hood leaned forward towards a quiet Thunderchild. "Did you know that I have been looking forward to meeting you for quite some time now? Truly an honor."

Wide eyed, Thunderchild turned to her as Bismarck snorted. When Thunderchild turned to her, Bismarck gave the Torpedo Ram a smile. "And she is not the only one."

Now looking between them, Thunderchild blinked in confusion. "Um, thank you. Though I am not quite sure why you would have been looking forward to meeting me." Her ears swivelled here and there on her head showing her confusion. "After all, I'm just a Torpedo Ram."

Once more, Bismarck snorted and shook her head. Then she raised her glass in salute. "One that holds all the courage of your literary version."

Chuckling at the shocked look, Hood leaned forward until her chin rested on her folded hands. "The video of the battle made the rounds amongst our fellow shipgirls you know." Her expression softened a bit. "Many of us raised a glass to you and your brave crew. Our deepest condolences for your losses."

Even as Thunderchild nodded, Eugen gave her a pat on the hand. "Know that others have shared your grief, as small of a help that may be." Then her smile turned wry. "Though I would suggest staying away from the shipgirls of Taffy 3. From what I have heard, they want to rip off your sleeves."

That caused Thunderchild to blink. "Why ever would they want to do that?"

Lips twitching, Hood shook her head. "Oh, that is only a small quirk of theirs. Harmless really and it says quite a bit about their respect for you."

If anything though, that made Thunderchild even more confused.
____________________________________________________________________

Hopping from her place on the waves, Hoppou turned around to look at the confused Wo class. "Okay, Wokyuu! Hoppou is ready to get nice fishies for Big Brother at his school and needs your help! Ready?"

More then slightly bemused, Wokyuu gave a small nod at that. "Wokyuu!"

With a look a short distance away where DesDiv6 stood with Tenryuu, Hoppou brought out a search light that she aimed at the water. "Now, Hoppou will teach Wokyuu all about catching Saucy fishies. And soon the saucies come up to the surface." Several minutes later, there were flashes of silver in the water and Hoppou nodded. "See, Wokyuu? There's the saucy fishies! Just like Hoppou said!"

Eyes wide, Wokyuu nodded as she watched. "Wokyuu! Wokyuu!"

Gesturing with her hand, Hoppou nodded. "Okay, now Hoppou needs Wokyuu to lower net so that we can catch the saucy fishies! Then we bring them over to the boat, okay, Wokyuu?"

Just nodding, Wokyuu brought out the net with a smile on her face. Part of the reason being it reminded her of simpler days when Hoppou used to catch fish with the rest of their fleet in their home on the Bering Sea. Then Wokyuu nodded and lowered the net gently into the water so not to scare off the fish. "Wokyuu."

Off to the side, Inazuma glanced at them and gave a small smile as she shook her head. Hearing a throat being cleared, she glanced up at Tenryuu and gave a small, sheepish smile. "Sorry, Kaa-San, just watching Hoppou-Chan and Wokyuu-San. They're pretty serious about this."

Looking over at the two Abyssals, Tenryuu shook her head in amusement. "I suppose so. But then, that's a pretty good thing all said." She then gestured to where Akatsuki was using her own searchlight to the effect of attracting Saury so that her sisters and mother could scoop them up into nets. "After all, we got to bring enough in for the whole base."

Brightly smiling, Inazuma nodded. "Yup! But with Hoppou-Chan and the others, we should get a lot of saury this time. And we'll be sending some to Harry-Chan too!"

Chuckling, Tenryuu patted her on the head. "Sure, kiddo. And we'll be sending him some other things as well." Several minutes later, she nodded to herself and hummed. "Okay, bring in the nets now."

With a smile on her face, Hibiki nodded as she helped Tenryuu, Inazuma, and Ikazuchi lift the net out of the water, the entire thing filled with wiggling, silvery fish. "This is a good catch."

Ikazuchi just grinned a bit. "Like I told Teitoku, you can rely on me! And on the rest of us too!"

Only shaking her head, Tenryuu walked over towards the small fishing boat licensed to the base to drop off their catch before returning.

 

[darthcourt10]

Harry Leferts

Walking along one of the corridors open to the Courtyard, Snape scowled at the rain coming down. For the past few days there had been nothing but pouring cold rain, and if anything it made his mood even worse then usual. And then there was the fact that the weather, with the cold and damp dungeons, had given him a cold. It did not help that Madam Pomfrey was after him to brew more pepper up potions for her.

As far as he was concerned, anyone would be in a foul mood having a cold and needing to work over a bubbling cauldron. The whole time making sure that none of the mucus from his nose would drip into it. Yet all he got in return was nothing but more demands. 'Blasted woman!" Thus as Snape was walking down the corridor, he passed right by Harry who was crouched in one spot. Suddenly, the Potions Professor stopped and turned around. "POTTER!"

In reply, Harry just looked up in confusion. But he still nodded at the teacher. "Professor."

Coming a stop, Snape glared down at Harry who was sitting in front of what looked like a nearly cauldron shaped object with a grill on it. From inside, smoke issued and drifted outside as Harry fanned the flames and the fish on top. "What are you doing!?"

Harry just blinked and then shrugged. "Cooking some saury that Hoppou and the others sent me." Grabbing one of the sticks, he held it up to examine the fish and then gestured at it. "Want some? It's a fall delicacy."

For several moments, Snape stared at him before pinching his nose and closing his eyes. While Harry did look like James and sometimes acted in such a way as to remind Snape of his hated rival, there were others in which he was reminded of Lily. Such was the case right now as for a brief time, Snape was transported back years to when he was in school. Instead of Harry in front of his strange grill, there was Lily in front of a clean cauldron she had filled with sticks and was roasting marshmellows over.

One of which she was offering to her old friend with a smile.

Then the image was gone and it was Harry once more but Snape still felt a shot of emotional agony go through him. Slowly, he took a deep breath and let it out. "No, Mister Potter, I do not. If you wanted a snack, could you not have gone perhaps to the kitchens? I have heard most students do so when they're hungry between meals."

All Harry did was shrug with a slight frown. "I could have, but... they've never cooked saury and they would insist on cooking it themselves." He then gestured at what was in front of him. "Nothing beats saury grilled over charcoal."

Yet again, there was an image of Lily overlaying him. The red hair girl had the same frown as was on Harry's face and gave a shrug as her voice reached Snape through time. "The elves can't cook marshmellows the right way, Severus. You know that. And they would insist on it if I tried."

Pain lanced through Snape's heart before he shook it off. "Very well, Mister Potter. But do be careful about handling flames. We do not want to burn down the school after all." With that, he quickly turned away from the confused Harry and walked off. His thoughts elsewhere and years before.
________________________________________________________________________

"What's a Deathday Party?"

Blinking, Myrtle paused in spreading some cream on her scone and looked over at Harry as Rose stopped pouring tea. "Deathday Party?"

Slowly, Harry nodded as he leaned against his hand as even Hermione stopped midway in taking a bite out of a cupcake. Part of him wondered about how Myrtle was holding the knife, but then shrugged it off. After all, Nick somehow had been holding a letter, right? "Yeah, Nick showed up and asked me about it before, um, inviting me."

With a grimace, Myrtle snorted at him. "Invited, you say?" Her sentence trailed off into mutters for several seconds before she shook it off. "A... Deathday Party is exactly what it sounds like. It's when one celebrates the day of their death with a party."

It said something that it took a little bit for the others to reboot after being told that. Frowning, Rose looked over at the young ghost in confusion. "Celebrating one's death?" When Myrtle nodded, the tsukumogami only shook her head. "Why ever would someone do such a thing?"

Arms crossed, Myrtle floated there with a frown. "I don't really know. And to be honest, it does not make a whole lot of sense to me and I'm a ghost!" Upon seeing the confusion, she set down her scone and picked up her cup of tea. "I may respect Sir Nick for many things, but..."

Raising an eyebrow as the ghost across from him sipped her tea, Ron leaned forward. "But...?"

Only sighing, Myrtle waved her hand in the air. "I may respect Sir Nick, but the two of us have vastly different viewpoints regarding our deaths. Sir Nick sees his death, and becoming a ghost, as something to celebrate. A... second birthday, of sorts I suppose. I, on the other hand, do not see my death as something to celebrate. Quite the opposite, I assure you."

Still somewhat confused, Harry leaned back in his chair as his eyebrows furrowed. "Huh." As he rolled what he had just been told, Harry watched as Myrtle munched on her scone, directly from Kongou's own ovens. "Um, Myrtle?"

There was a resigned look on the ghost's face as she shook her head. "If you're going to ask if I am going to his Deathday Party, I am. But most of my reason is that I respect Sir Nick far too much to not go. He is, after all, one of the few ghosts here that cares for me in some manner."

Nodding, Harry shrugged a bit. "As long as your there, it might be interesting."

For a moment, Myrtle blinked and then her expression changed to one that was partially teasing. "Ooo! Keep that up, Mister Potter and one may think that you may actually like a ghost like me."

What she did not expect was for Harry to turn the teasing around on her unknowingly. "Well, I do like you, Myrtle." He didn't notice Myrtle's jaw drop or the others whip around and turn towards him in surprise. "After all, you're a friend. Heck, you're like a big sister I guess."

Unknown to Harry, Myrtle felt for a moment like her non-existent heart had stopped. Then she flushed and gave him a shy smile. 'A sister, huh? I suppose that if things had worked out, I would have been his great-aunt, so...' Floating over, she wrapped her arms around him, just barely touching him. "Thank you, Harry. You don't know what that means to me."

All Harry did though was scratch his neck a bit. "Heh, no worries."

Beside him, Hermione hummed a bit as she sipped her tea and then checked her logs. "Harry? Would it be possible for me to come with you? This does sound rather interesting after all."

Seeing the surprise, Ron chuckled a bit. "Yeah, count me in too. None of my brothers have crashed a Deathday Party after all, so it will be something new." Still grinning, he turned towards Neville. "What about you, Nev? You want to show up as well?"

Neville gave it some thought and then nodded. "I don't see why not. You said that the Headless Hunt will be there, right?"

With a blink, Harry nodded. "Um, yes? I mean that is what Nick said. But why do you want to know that?"

Only shrugging, Neville frowned. "I want to see if Cousin Alponse is part of it or not." At the raised eyebrows, he shook his head. "Second cousin, once removed. Apparently he was flying his broom drunk while low and hit some sort of muggle wire at neck level. Didn't even realize he was dead until he noticed that he was no longer on his broom and keeps mentioning wanting to join the Headless Hunt."

Blanching a little at the image, Harry shook it off. "Um, okay then? I mean, you'll have to point him out, I think..."

Meanwhile, Myrtle was the only one not giving Neville disturbed looks and only shrugged. "I've heard worse. There's a witch up in Wales that got killed after kicking a sleeping giant in the balls. Apparently he tore up her garden and used her best linen as a kleenix before falling asleep. Got her so mad that she didn't even think before stomping up and giving it a right strong kick between it's legs." Needless to say, while Hermione and Rose cringed, the boys closed their legs and also winced. "It goes without saying in her case though that one should not mention how she looks. She's... rather sensitive about that."

It went without saying that only caused more cringing even as Myrtle sipped her drink.

 

[darthcourt10]

Harry Leferts

Nodding, Harry gave a smile as he looked over what was on his desk. "There, all done!"

With a blink, Ron frowned and looked at what was in front of Harry and raised an eyebrow at it. "So you finished making all those metal bars for that summoning then?" At the black haired boy's nod, Ron shook his head in some disbelief. "Barmy. Completely and utterly barmy."

Confused, Harry wiped his forehead and then tilted his head to the side. "Poi? What's wrong with what I've been doing?"

Rolling his eyes, Ron shook his head before pointing at the stack of metal in front of Harry. "Mate, you were buying cans from various Muggleborns. Because you needed the steel for it to make the bars, you don't think that's a bit crazy?"

In reply, Harry shrugged some and began to place the bars into a cardboard box. "Maybe? I mean, I really want this to work out. Because then Isokaze-Chan, Hamakaze-Chan, and Yukikaze-Chan get their sister back, Dess. And it should work out perfectly... Hopefully."

Once more, Ron rolled his eyes as he turned to look at another box. Said box was filled with various cans that had been sent from Muggleborn homes across England after Harry bought them. "And what about those then? What are you going to do with them?"

Harry only shrugged a bit as he placed the last of the bars into the box and began to close it up. "Well, I was thinking of using some for Kawa-San's Awakening Ceremony... And maybe send a number to Hanna as she does need the steel to finish herself up."

For several moments, Ron considered that. He was nodding before he stopped as a thought occurred to him. "Uh, Mate?"

Stretching, Harry let out a soft sigh. "Yeah, Ron? What is it?"

With a frown on his face, Ron pointed at the box. "You said that these are infused with your magic, right?"

Just slowly nodding, Harry looked over at Ron with a raised eyebrow. "Yes, why? Something wrong?"

Taking a deep breath, Ron let it out. "What's going to happen if Hanna was to eat them? I mean, steel is good and everything, but..."

As he considered that, Harry frowned. However, he eventually just shrugged. "Shouldn't do anything, really. I mean, steel is steel, the magic might help or something? I mean, I already asked Akashi-Oba about it after all."

Fingers tapping against the chair he was sitting in, Ron bit his lip a bit. "Right, um... speaking of which... I got something to ask you..." Raising an eyebrow, Harry turned and nodded at his friend who took a deep breath. "Would... would it be possible for you to teach me how to make that type of thing if it works?"

Blinking, Harry stared at him for a moment before finally shrugging. "Don't see why not, Ron. It's pretty easy after all, though why?"

Ears going red, Ron rubbed his neck. "W-well, if it helps out, I was thinking that when Warspite goes in for her own upgrades that I can supply some of the steel? To help out and stuff, and maybe it might fix her steering if I concentrate on that while making it."

All Harry did was give his friend a large grin. "Sure, I don't see a problem with that, Ron." Walking over to his owl box, Harry placed the the package inside and closed the door. "And there we go."

Before anything else could be said though, Hermione poked her head in. "Uh, Harry? We got sort of an issue down in the Common Room... Shiromizu ate another salamander."

Harry's palm then had a tryst with his forehead as he sighed. "Why am I not surprised...?"

Clearing her throat, Hermione then glanced to the side where shouts could be heard. "Gets worse... McLaggen almost sat on her. To which she responded by belching and setting the seat of his pants on fire."

It said something that was not even in the top twenty oddest things to happen in the Common Room that year so far. But Harry quickly got up and ran for the door. "I swear, if he harms Shiromizu, I will show him what Inazuma-Chan taught me!"
__________________________________________________________________

With a small smile, Hamakaze placed the last of the metal bars into their proper place and stood up. "There. Now we're ready."

Only chuckling as she shook her head, Louisiana reached out and gently ruffled the hair of the Destroyer with a smile. "Well, ma petite chérie, your wait should be over. With luck, your sister should be here soon."

At the small blush on Hamakaze's face, the Battleship gained a twinkle in her eye. When they had first met, Hamakaze did not know what to think of the massive American. But over time, both her and Isokaze came to care for her in much the same way they did Shinano and guarded her like they did the Yamato. A care that was returned by Louisiana, with the Battleship currently thoughtful. "Is something wrong, Lousiana-San?"

Frowning, Louisiana hummed a bit. "Non, just thinking for a moment." The twinkle then came back as she smiled at Isokaze who seemed to be unable to stand still from excitement. "Do you think that you have enough summoning materials?"

Eyebrows furrowing, Hamakaze looked at the stacks of materials. "I... believe so. Teitoku gave us some extra just in case and to that we added the material that Harry-San sent. It should be enough."

Lips twitching, Lousiana shook her head. "I was only teasing some, I am certain that you have enough." She then looked towards where White Plains was and nodded her head, the small Escort Carrier giving Shinano a hug as Kongou looked on with a small grin. "And now, I think that I shall take my leave."

Surprised, Isokaze looked over at her with a dropped jaw. "You're leaving? Why!?"

Turning towards her, Lousiana blinked for a moment before she shrugged a bit. "As you are summoning your sister, White Plains and I thought that perhaps we should not be here. After all, she was sunk by Americans, non? So it stands to reason that she might not come back if we are here."

Much to Lousiana's surprise though, Isokaze walked over and pulled her towards the Summoning Pool. "Not going to happen. Besides, she'll need to accept you and White-Sama at some point. And I know for a fact that she will!"

On Louisiana's face, there was a small blush as she tilted her head some. "Merci, Isokaze. That means more to moi then you know." Looking at the water, she shook her head. "And I know that more Destroyers would be good."

All Isokaze did was smirk and chuckle. "I think that we know."

With that, she turned towards Haru who was ready with Nagato and Kongou on either side of her. For his part, Goto stood to one side as the Miko began the ceremony and just watched as did Akashi from the side lines. When the materials began to vanish in motes of light, he slowly smiled even as the sparks drifted past him and down into the pool. Off to the side, Isokaze, Hamakaze, and Yukikaze were gripping the railing hard enough to make it groan, even as they focused every thought on their sister.

And they were not the only ones as Nagato and Kongou were doing much the same. Slowly, the atmosphere became more and more charged as the water below began to churn when there was a burst from below. Standing there on the water was a blue haired Destroyer who seemed confused for a moment before she spotted Goto in his uniform.

Something deep inside her told her this was an Admiral and she came to a salute as he spoke. "Hello, I'm Rear Admiral Isoroku Goto and welcome back...?"

Catching the meaning, she grinned as she missed him glance to the side in confusion. "It's me, Urakaze, nice to meet 'ya!" Then she noticed her sisters as well as Nagato and Kongou. "Ah! Kongou-Nee-San! Nagato-Sama! You're here too? And Hamakaze-Chan, Isokaze-Chan, and Yukikaze-Chan as well!" Then Urakaze's expression fell some as she noticed both her current state and the two American shipgirls. "I... wha' in the world...?"

With a cough, Goto smiled thinly. "Things have changed quite a bit, Urakaze-San. But we are no longer at war with the Americans though we do need your help... Speaking of..."

Urakaze followed his gaze only to jump a bit at the American Destroyer there who looked rather nervous. "A-ah, USS Hoel, DD-768! I try to live up to my name!" Needless to say, White Plains just stared at the shipgirl who looked a lot like her fellow Taffy, but among other things had tanned skin and a Califonian accent. Now shaking a bit, the Destroyer swallowed. "I... I never got to serve and... Um... I think that so-someone called me because they wanted Destroyers?"

Almost as one, everyone jumped a bit at the sudden squeal as White Plains took a running jump and then glomped the surprised Destroyer, the two skidding across the water. "Eeeeee! You look like Hoel! Oh wow, oh wow! She's going to be so excited to meet you and I am sure that she will love you and hug you and be a cool big sisboat to you and..."

While she continued without taking a breath, Goto sighed and pinched his nose as he muttered under his breath how even when things go right, they still go pear shaped due to Magical Sparkly Bullshit, no matter of what type. Meanwhile, Urakaze was looking between her the shipgirls still above the Summoning Pool, Goto, and the two shipgirls beside her in utter confusion. "What?"

Of course, that was also when they noticed the otters that were now poking their heads out of the water and watching curiously.

 

[darthcourt10]

Harry Leferts

Slowly digesting what she had been told, Urakaze glanced towards her sisters with a frown. "So that's why ya brought us back?"

Beside her, Hoel scratched her head in confusion. "Wait, wait, so... Evil spirits have risen out of the ocean? And... And you needed to summon spirits of warships which makes us look like, well th-this?"

Rather amused, Goto slowly nodded as he chuckled some. "That would, indeed, be the long and short of it, yes. Shipgirls like yourselves are the truly effective way of battling the Abyssals."

Hand rubbing her forehead, Hoel slowly shook her head. "T-that is..." Closing her eyes, she took a deep breath to steady herself before giving a grin. "Well, I guess that this time I get to show my stuff?"

With a chuckle, Goto shook his head in amusement. "And I'm certain that you will." He glanced to the screen beside him and nodded. "What do you think, John?"

On said screen, Richardson leaned back in his chair and became thoughtful. "Do you remember your previous idea that you were talking to me about, Goto? About needing an American Destroyer to accompany Louisiana? And how we have been discussing that fact that Louisiana, being an American Battleship, should have some other Americans in her group?"

Lips twitching, Goto barely kept himself from pumping his fist in the air. But it was a near thing. "Your transferring her to my Command, I take it?"

That got him a soft snort, but Richardson nodded. "I am, especially with how you also have White Plains with you. With her, Louisiana, and Montana serving there, we have been meaning to station some more American shipgirls there on a more permanent basis." He then turned to Hoel and gave her a small smile. "Louisiana and Montana can help you adjust as they've had similar... issues, as what you're facing now."

Gulping, Hoel nodded. "I understand, Sir. And trust me, I'll work hard to make sure that I am worthy of my name."

Suddenly, giggles could be heard as White wrapped her arms around Hoel's neck. "Hey, stop being so serious like that! You're you and that's it, you don't need to worry about your name." Then there was a beep and she grabbed her phone and smiled as she read what was there. "Oh, neat! Hoel texted back! She wants to see Hoel as soon as possible."

Tilting her head to the side, Shinano looked over the tiny Carrier's shoulder. "Hoel wants to meet Hoel, Kaa-San? When?"

With a hum, White tilted her head and then shrugged not noticing how Urakaze was looking between her and Shinano in confusion. "Next time she comes back to Japan. Oh! Johnston is wondering when Johnston is going to show up... Sammy is probably wondering when Sammy will show up too. Hey, then we can all get together! It would be so cool to have Johnston, Johnston, Sammy, Sammy, Hoel, and Hoel all meeting each other! We could make it a party!"

At the desk, Goto and Richardson gave each other understanding expressions of shared suffering as they could already feel the headaches forming from trying to figure out who would be who in such a case. Coughing into his fist though, Richardson got their attention again. "Speaking of training, I've been in contact with some people and they'll be sending someone to Yokosuka just in case this happens again to help train them, as well as to help Hoel here."

Frowning, Goto narrowed his eyes a bit. "Who exactly are you thinking about?"

Simply raising an eyebrow, Richardson smirked a bit. "Atlanta, actually. She's very good at what she does and Shinano's and Louisiana's group could use a Light Cruiser."

If anything, that caused Goto to deepen his frown a touch. 'I'll have to inform Akatsuki then so it's not a nasty surprise. Those two may have laid their past to rest mostly, but best not to chance anything.' Outwardly, he nodded some. "That sounds good." Then Goto stopped and hummed some. "This does bring up one question though... How did Hoel end up here?"

Nearly everyone, as one, turned towards a somewhat blushing Louisiana and White Plains. The Battleship rubbed the back of her neck and cleared her throat. "I... did not know Miz Urakaze here, so I focused on the thought of bringing a Destroyer we wanted."

Beside her, White also nodded, just smiling. "Same here!" Then she tapped her chin thoughtfully as she looked up at the ceiling. "And I was thinking about how excited the rest of Taffy 3 might be to meet them."

Sighing, Akashi shook her head in some humor. "That certainly could have done it. Not that I think that anyone is complaining about what's happened."

With a narrowed gaze, Goto turned to her where she was examining one of the three otters that had appeared in the Summoning Pool. "Have you finished with your examination? Because I would be rather interested in knowing what we have."

Akashi scratched her head a bit and then sighed. "Well... What we have here are Kairyuu class Midget Submarines. They're pretty small since they were only about twenty tons, hence why they look like, well... this. There is just one small issue though..."

Grimacing, Goto held in the groan with his next words getting gasps. "Let me guess, a suicide weapon."

Much to his surprise, Akashi waggled her hand. "Yes and no. I have read up about these as some of us considered the possibility of them getting summoned." Looking at each person, Akashi frowned. "They were built at the end of the war with the IJN wanting to seven hundred and fifty of them to defend Tokyo Bay against the Americans by August, but had only managed to build two hundred and ten with them mostly based here in Yokosuka. Each of them were supposed to have two torpedoes, but there was a problem."

Nagato, having lived to the end of the war slowly nodded. "There was a shortage of torpedoes near the end. They didn't have enough, did they?"

Shaking her head, Akashi sighed. "No, they did not. To make up for it, they added a warhead to the Submarine itself in the bow. But, and this is the important bit, they don't need that warhead and were designed not to have a warhead. And these girls here don't have one. It's like how Shioi's planes could be modified into Kamikazes, but did not come back like that."

Just sighing as he relaxed some, Goto shook his head. "Thank the Kami for that."

Everyone stopped though as there were two growls and turned to see a blush on both newly summoned Destroyers' faces as they placed a hand against their bellies. Urakaze's especially was bright. "Sorry about that, Teitoku."

Tutting, Kongou appeared beside her and then stuffed a pastry in her mouth, soon followed by Hoel's. "You should have told us that you were that hungry, Dess! Here, have some more."

As the two Destroyers continued getting food stuffed into them by Kongou, Shinano sighed a bit. "I wish that Harry-Chan was here. He'd probably already be cooking up a meal for them."

Quickly swallowing the food in her mouth, Urakaze frowned a bit in confusion. "Harry... Chan? Who are you talking about? And why wouldn't he be here?"

Chuckling, Nagato shook her head some. "They're speaking of my adopted son, Potter Harry, Urakaze. He has made it a habit of cooking meals for newly summoned ships. Shinano is rather fond of him." She gave an amused look at the flustered Shinano who was trying to hide behind White Plains, who only patted her on the head. "As to where he is, currently he's at a boarding school in the Scottish Highlands."

Now slightly more confused, Urakaze frowned as she absent mindingly sipped the tea that Kongou had give her. "I... see. You adopted a son, Nagato-Sama?"

Softly smiling, the Battleship nodded and the Destroyer blinked at the expression. "Hai, I did. And not once have I regretted it. Harry has made me proud ever since."

Grinning, Louisiana glanced at Shinano who shook her head, but the American could not help herself. "Of course not. Besides, you'll only be more proud when he becomes an Admiral to ma chère and myself."

With an eep, Shinano adjusted her glasses as a confused Urakaze looked between them. Rather amused at what was happening in front of him, Goto leaned back with a small smile before sharing a look with Richardson. Both Admirals only shook their heads with a chuckle. While that was happening though, Urakaze leaned towards Hamakaze with a small frown and whispering. "This Harry-San? What is he like?"

For a moment, Hamakaze blinked and then, to Urakaze's surprise, blushed some before whispering back. "Harry-San is a very nice boy as a matter of fact and is close to us, especially Shinano-Sama. Like Shinano-Sama, I too look forward to the day that he becomes our Teitoku as I know he will take good care of us."

Beside Hamakaze, Yukikaze had a small smile on her face. "Hamakaze-Chan's right, he doesn't even think that Yukikaze is a luck vampire like some!"

Jumping onto Hamakaze's back, Isokaze snickered some as she wrapped her arms around her sister's shoulders. "Heh, yeah. Guy's a great cook and everything. You'll like him, I'm sure since it's not hard to see why Shinano-Sama likes him so much."

Unnoticed by the four Destroyers, Shinano was by this time extremely red in the face as she could hear them despite them whispering. In an effort to try and get away from her embarrassment, she hid even more behind White. Something that was doomed to failure due to her own size being so much greater then White's. Meanwhile, White just patted her on the head with a smile before whispering herself to Shinano. "I approve of him."

Now blushing even more, Shinano bit her lip. "Kaa-San..."

The whole time, Hoel just watched utterly lost while noticing that both Goto and Richardson were looking elsewhere and shaking. 'Is... is this normal?'

 

[darthcourt10]

Harry Leferts

Hands behind his head, Harry frowned as him, Hermione, Ron, and Neville walked towards where Nick was having his Deathday Party. "You know, it's really wierd how it works out. Almost like it's a rule of the universe or something..."

Raising her eyebrow in amusement, Hermione glanced at the confused Neville before refocusing back on Harry. "And what would that be?"

In reply, Harry raised a finger into the air. "That if you have two events to go to, and chose one, the one that you're not going to will sound way better. Look at what is going on here! We're going to Nick's thing, and suddenly the Halloween Feast sounds so much better. Lots of food and fun, giant pumpkins, and Professor Dumbledore supposidly booked dancing skeletons."

Now it being his turn to be amused, Neville scratched his cheek. "Heh, I guess so. By the way... is Rose going to show up?"

Harry, however, shook his head with an amused air. "Rose wasn't sure that she would be allowed to be here as she doesn't go to Hogwarts. And Nick didn't invite her, so..." He then waved a hand around. "Also, her and Haruna-Oba are going to the Halloween party back on base. I think that her and Haruna-Oba are going as a knight and her princess."

For a moment, Ron rolled that around in his head before frowning, "So... who is who?"

Snickering, Harry grinned. "Beats me, might be Haruna-Oba as a knight... or it could be Rose as the knight."

Only shaking her head, Hermione's lips twitched a bit. "A knight for a Battleship, now that is a rather odd image. And yet it fits for the two of them."

Walking down the stairs, Harry stopped upon reaching bottom. Partially at the sight of the various candles that had blue flames on them, and partially at the black velvet curtains in front of them with Nick in front of them. The ghost bowed some as he spoke, a mournful tone to his voice. "Welcome my friends, so glad that you could make it."

Lips twitching a bit, Harry hummed. "Thanks for the welcome, but no need to be so grave about it."

It took a second, but then Nick grimaced some. "Ah, yes... I forgot about how you love puns. Much like your mother."

Grinning, Harry looked over at him. "What can I say? I like to get into the spirit of things and be unlife anyone else."

Simply closing his eyes, Nick waved them in and soon entered behind them. Looking around, Ron pushed down his gorge a bit at seeing the rotton food. 'Should have turned Harry down and gone to the feast.' Then he swallowed. 'Right, don't think about food right now, just don't.'

Meanwhile, Neville let out a breath which misted almost immediately as it met the air. Hermione though noticed one of the ghosts floating through the food with his mouth wide open. "Um, excuse me? Can you taste that?"

The ghost seemed slightly saddened by the question and drifted off. "Almost..."

It was then that Harry spotted Myrtle and smiled some. "Hey guys? Myrtle's right over there."

Unknown to him, Peeves was within hearing range and began to grin nastily before cupping his hands around his mouth. "Oy! Myrtle! This bunch here is talking about you! Saying all sorts of nasty things!"

Myrtle turned and began to glare at Peeves, though most of the ghosts began to murmur. But her response was what caused the poltergeist to jerk back. "Oh, sod off, Peeves. Those are my friends and I know better!"

Puffing himself up, Peeves was about to say something when Harry slapped an ofuda on him. Almost immedately, he froze as the black haired boy sighed a bit. "Enough out of you, Peeves. And I warned you about causing trouble for Myrtle."

Softly smiling, Myrtle floated over and nodded at him as she ignored the looks of surprise and shock on the various ghosts faces at what just happened. "Thank you for that, Harry. At least you're a real gentleman, like your great uncle... Much better then some here." She gave a sniff as she looked in one direction with a wizard who looked rather burned huffing a bit and drifting off. "Anyways, I'm glad to see you here."

With a shrug, Harry shook his head and chuckled. "Glad to be here. Though being a party I thought that it would be more lively and not so dead."

Much to his amusement, Myrtle began to giggle. "Oh my, you really are just like Andrew, aren't you? He did rather enjoy puns and wordplay." Her smile turning mischivious, she glanced around. "Hey, you ever hear about why the ghost floated over the road?"

Eyes twinkling madly, Harry shook his head. "No, why?"

Unable to help herself, Myrtle snickered some. "Why, he wanted to cross over to the other side, of course!" At Harry's laughter, she grinned so hard that if she was alive she would have been hurting. 'I love the fact that I have some friends now.'

Not having noticed the headless hunt arrive, Harry continued to chuckle. "Oh my kami, Myrtle! That was freaking brilliant! Got to remember that one... hey, Hermione, you got some paper that I can use?"

All Hermione did though was give him a blank look. "No, Harry. I am most certainly not going to give you paper to write down yet more puns and jokes."

Shrugging, Harry turned to Ron, but before he could a fake amused voice spoke up. "My word! Live ones!"

Harry turned in time to see a ghost give a fake jump of surprise, losing his head as other ghosts laughed. At seeing the dark look on Nick's face, Harry didn't need Myrtle's whisper to guess who that was. "That's Sir Patrick, leader of the Headless Hunt."

With his hands in his pockets, Harry noticed the slight sneer given to Myrtle and felt himself narrow his eyes before he shook his head and pointed to himself. "Oh, you mean us? My word man, no need to lose your head over it."

That got him laughs from several ghosts, though a small glare from Sir Patrick. "That was rather rude." Getting a huff from Nick, the ghost waved it off. "Don't mind Nick, everyone. He's just angry that he was not allowed to join the Headless Hunt. I mean, really, just look at him!"

Rubbing his chin, Harry frowned before shrugging. "I suppose that the rest of you felt like compared to him , you wouldn't stand a ghost of a chance. He's pretty frightening and disturbing at times, especially compared to you."

Eyes widening, Sir Patrick brought his head around and stared at Harry. "What did you say!?"

Simply waving him off, Harry rolled his eyes. "Let's face it for a moment, headless ghosts are a dime a dozen. No offense, but you bunch aren't a Dullahan. Now those are scary. Or Blackbeard! Granted that's less a ghost and more his body still wandering around headless... and taking other people's heads." Pausing, Harry ignored the sputtering though he could see Nick smirking. "Okay, sure, decapitation can disturb people, but it's quick you know? A story like Nick's? Where instead of something clean they had to try several times? That's disturbing, because it's drawn out and it's unique."

Looking rather green, Neville swallowed some. "Uh, mate?"

However, Harrry just continued. "And Nick's not the only awesome one. I mean, he invited my friend Myrtle here who is part of a very small fraternity of spirits." Looking at her, he gave her a wink. "I mean, she's a bathroom ghost. You got Bloody Mary as another, then you got Hanako-San back in Japan." Harry then leaned towards another ghost. "She's a famous yuurei back in Japan, you know. Hanako-San, you got school children challenging each other to meet her all the time. Aka Manto is another, though he kills people who meet him in his bathrooms. Rips off their skin or strangles them. Honestly, if I did not know Myrtle so well, I would be afraid of her... Same with Nick as his death makes it seem more like he would want revenge on the living."

Rather bemused, Nick shook his head. "Well, that you won't need to worry yourself over, Harry. Trust me on that."

Turning back to Sir Patrick, Harry noticed him glaring. "So you don't think that I'm frightening then... And I bet that Nick asked for you to say that."

Much to his annoyance, Harry rolled his eyes. "Not really, no. My Mum's a shipgirl, my adoptive sisters are both Abyssal Princesses, I live on a base with shipgirls who make up my family and count Re-Class as friends. I've been to an island of the restless war dead... You're like, a two on a scale of one to ten."

Now smiling at the sputters, Nick suddenly nodded. "Right! If I could have everyone's attention, it's time for my speech!" Rushing to the stage, he coughed. "My late lamented lords, ladies, and gentlemen, it is my sorrow-"

Before he got much further, Sir Patrick interrupted him by starting a game with the rest of the Headless Hunt by using his head as a ball. Seeing that, and how Nick was trying to get the party back to normal, Harry began to walk towards the group with Ron beside him. "Uh, Harry? What are you doing?"

It was then he noticed the look in Harry's eyes and remembered that Harry disliked bullies. "Oh, not much, I'm just going to take care of a little problem. Like with Peeves... thankfully, Haru-San gave me a lot." Myrtle could only wince as Harry walked right up to the Headless Hunt and rapidly slapped on the same Ofuda that was on Peeves before they could react. Watching the frozen ghosts, Harry ignored Sir Patrick's head bounce past his feet with it's expression locked in surprise. With the room silent, Harry turned to Nick and smiled as he gave a thumb's up. "Don't worry, Nick. Won't be anymore interruptions I think... And remember, I'll always stick my neck out for you."

Now extremely amused, though also somewhat confused at what Harry did. Nick gave a small bow. "Thank you, Harry. Now then... where was I..."

 

[darthcourt10]

Harry Leferts

Several minutes after making his speech, Nick heard a cough and turned to see Harry behind him. "Ah, Harry. So sorry about ignoring you, I really must thank you for... whatever you did." He turned to look at the still frozen Headless Hunt members as well as Peeves. "It's made things move smoothly, though I do hope that you enjoyed it."

Only nodding, Harry gave him a small grin. "It's been a real ghast in all honestly. I can't phantom why people have issues with such parties. Anyways, I was thinking that since we've been here for a while, and are the soul teens besides Myrtle, we should really beheading out before we lose our heads to boredom."

Nick was silent for a while before he spoke up, his voice rather tired while he ignored how Myrtle was giggling. After all, it was not often he saw his fellow ghost so happy. "Harry, my dear boy? Must you truly be making so many puns?"

As he shrugged, Harry waved a hand in the air. "Sorry, Nick. But Halloween always puts me into a real mood. And one is bonely and things are as quiet as the grave, I can't help but think up puns. And to be honest, I got a skele-ton of them. And tibia honest, I find them pretty humerus. I'm just pumpkin them out now. So please don't mind of I go and start coffin them up now and then."

Closing his eyes as if from pain, Nick slowly nodded. "I see, yes, well... I bid you a rather good night then, Harry, Ron, Hermione..." He glanced to the side to see Myrtle and nodded. "And Myrtle. I hope that you enjoy the rest of this night."

With a nod, Harry winked at him. "And thanks to you as well, it's been fun. So don't worry, the feast won't stand a ghost of a chance against this. Maybe next year?"
In reply, Nick's eyes shifted from side to side. "Yes, yes, perhaps. Well, a good night to you then."

Hands in his pockets, Harry walked with the rest, though Myrtle floated beside him. Once they got out the door, Neville turned to him in utter confusion. "Uh, Harry? What was with all the puns? I mean... you were telling them and bad jokes all evening."

Now grinning, there was a sparkle in Harry's eyes as he chuckled. "Nev, remember how Nick basically cornered me and asked me to come in a way that I couldn't say no to?" Confused, Neville slowly nodded as Myrtle began to laugh, which drew her looks. But then they turned back to Harry as he began to speak. "Do you think that after tonight, that Nick is going to invite me again?"

Utter silence met him for several moments before Myrtle snorted, while Hermione pinched her nose and sighed. "Really, Harry? You did all that... just to stop him from pulling it on you again?"

Shrugging, Harry glanced around. "Pretty much, yes. Though I had a lot of fun with it."

All Hermione did was place her face in her hands at that before groaning. "I don't believe you. I really don't."

Harry's attention was grabbed though as something poked him in the shoulder and he turned to see a rather amused Myrtle looking down at him. "Something wrong, Myrtle? I thought that you found it hilarious?"

Unable to help herself, the ghost burst into giggles again. Slowly, she shook her head as she pulled her hand away from her mouth. "I think that you're forgetting something, Harry."

Frowning, Harry tilted his head to the side. "I am? What?"

Lips twitching, Myrtle shook her head. "Peeves and the others are still frozen."

Just blinking, Harry had a mock surprised look on his face. "Really? Wow, I forgot all about them. But it would be kind of rude to show up right now so soon after leaving and we do need to get to the feast. Maybe after."

That got him more giggles from Myrtle as his other friends only shook their heads in amusement. Suddenly, Harry came to a stop as he could hear the same cold and venomous voice that he could before somewhere nearby. "{Rip and tear... and kill...}"

Eyes wide, the black haired boy looked around. "Guys? It's that voice again!"

For her part, Myrtle narrowed her eyes and looked around. "Are you sure? I can't hear anything but the band in the dungeons, the storm outside... and the Great Hall."

Still looking around, Harry nodded as the voice continued. "{So hungry... so much food nearby... It has been so long since the last time I tasted sweet flesh...}"

Now shivering, Harry's eyes widened a bit. "I think that it's talking about eating someone! And it sounds like it's heading upstairs! Come on!"

The entire group shared a look and ran after him when they heard a scream of fear which made them whip around the corner to see several students staring at something at the edge of a puddle under an slightly opened window. It only took a few seconds for them to see the words written on the wall as if in blood before Harry realized that it really was blood. Then he looked even closer at the writing. '

'THE CHAMBER OF SECRETS HAS BEEN OPENED.
ENEMIES OF THE HEIR, BEWARE.'

Blinking slowly, Harry frowned. "Well... That's rather ominous."

A tap on the shoulder caused him to look at Ron who pointed at something hanging from one of the torch bearings. It took Harry a few moments for him to realize that it was Mrs. Norris, who seemed lifeless. "Mate... is she... dead?"

Suddenly, there was a laugh and everyone turned to Draco. "'Enemies of the Heir, Beware!' Ha! Your next, Mudbloods."

Needless to say, that attracted him exactly the wrong attention from everyone. But before someone could do something, Filch came around the corner and gave a scream of agony at the sight of his cat and things moved very rapidly...
_____________________________________________________________________________

With a groan, Harry slumped into the chair near the fireplace. "Well... that was something that certainly happened."

Also sighing, Ron put a hand over his face. "Yeah, it was. Bloody Hell, is this going to be happening every Halloween?"

Snorting, Harry shook his head. "If it happens next year, then I'm going to be getting permission to spend Halloween night at Yokosuka. Like heck I'm going to stick around here for that sort of thing." There was the sound of something clacking against the table and Harry looked up to see Hermione there placing some food onto the table. "Hermione?"

Just smiling thinly, the bushy haired shipgirl shook her head. "Before we left, I asked the Professor if we could get some food that they had at the feast. So they sent some up for us to use..." She then looked over at the quiet Myrtle before reaching into her cloak and pulling out a plate with various bits of food on it and a steaming cup of tea. "I had my cooks make you something too, Myrtle."

Having been startled out of her thoughts, Myrtle blinked for several moments before giving Hermione a shaky smile. "Ah, thank you for that. I'm not really all that hungry, but I'll appreciate it just the same."

Eyebrow raising at that, Harry shared a look with the others before he turned back to Myrtle. "Something wrong?" Then his eyes narrowed a bit as something occurred to him. "Is it because it happened outside your bathroom?"

Much too quickly, Myrtle shook her head. "No, no, it's... not that." Taking a chicken leg, she examined it before taking a bite. All of a sudden, she sighed and rubbed the back of her head. "Well, actually maybe just a little."

Now it was Neville's turn to share a look with the others. "Want to talk about it?"

Head shooting up, Myrtle blinked owlishly for a moment before sighing. "No, it's nothing really. Just me being silly about something."

Frowning, Harry soon shook it off and began to munch on his own meal before pulling out the papers and beginning to write. Seeing the looks, he shook his head. "I want to write everything down that happened before I forget. Maybe there's a clue or something... Or maybe it might become more apparent later on."

Slowly nodding, Hermione considered that. "That does make sense actually. And I'm pretty sure that the both of us will need to write reports..."

Ron though was staring at the flames and furrowing his eyebrows. "Hey, Mate?" Having caught Harry's attention, he continued. "Do you think that this has anything to do with that crazy House Elf you met this summer? I mean, think about it for a moment. It said that very bad things were going to happen a Hogwarts this year and kept trying to stop you from coming."

Then Neville chimed up. "And, um, what was with Malfoy?" With the attention on him, Neville shook his head. "I mean, think about what happened? Did he seem surprised? He was actually gleeful about it!"

Needless to say, Harry and the others became very thoughtful at that and began to roll things around in their head. By the time both the food and writing was done, it was getting on in the night and Harry stretched. "Man, I'm beat. I'll be heading to bed, what about you guys?"

Around him there were murmurs of agreement before Myrtle spoke up. "I... think that I'll be staying here for the night. After what happened, I need some time."

Only frowning, Harry slowly nodded. "Sure, I don't think that anyone will mind that. Going to be up for the usual morning run?"

There was a small smile on Myrtle's face as she nodded. "I think that I can do that."

When the others went up the stairs, Myrtle drifted over to the window and just stared out at the dark, stormy night. Something she found fitting as it reflected her own emotional state at that time. Meanwhile, just before Harry fell fully to sleep, and after he sent his letter, he found something niggling at him. 'I think that I forgot something...' Then he shook it off and closed his eyes. 'Must not be too important.'

Down in the dungeons, Nick was frowning as he was looking over the still frozen members of the Headless Hunt, the rest of his guests having left. "Now what am I going to do with you...?

The whole time, Peeves was stewing in his anger and promising to get Harry back for what happened as he also was frozen.

 

[darthcourt10]

Harry Leferts

The horizon had barely lightened while Enterprise frowned internally as she tapped her fingers against one arm. "Hey, Akagi, I got a question for you."

Partway through slurping some ramen, Akagi quickly swallowed and then beat on her chest for a moment. "Ah... Sorry, Enterprise-San, this is the last cup of instant ramen." She then looked down on it with a small smile. "Instant ramen... the future truly is a wonderful place. Who would have thought of something like this."

Smirking, Zuikaku chuckled a bit. "I know. And is there anything more perfect then a cup of instant ramen?"

Only giving each of the two Japanese Carriers looks, Enterprise rolled her eyes. "You both know that was not what I was going to ask about." Then focusing back on Akagi, Enterprise raised an eyebrow. "I was wondering what the big deal with Nagato was? She seemed... distracted, somewhat." At the looks, Enterprise held up her hands. "Don't get me wrong, she was still as effective as ever in our debriefing, but still."

For several moments there was quiet before Yamato sighed. "I, Yam... I'm afraid, Enterprise, that Nagato-San has reasons to be distracted. Something has happened at Harry-Chan's school after all."

Blinking, Enterprise turned to her. "Something happened at Kiddo's school? Seriously?"

It wasn't only Enterprise who was surprised as Zuikaku turned to look at Yamato with a frown. "Wait, what? What happened at Chibi's school? Because this is the first that I am hearing of it."

With a huff, Kaga crossed her arms. "I am not surprised that you did not know, Fifth Division."

Clinching her fist, Zuikaku glared at her fellow Carrier. "What was that, Kaga? You saying something?"

Before Kaga could say anything though, Akagi poked her in the side. "Behave." She then turned to Enterprise and glanced around. Her sisters were part of their small fleet heading south, as was New Jersey and Wisconsin with the Taffies, the Duckies, and Haida. "Well... it happened during Halloween..."

Once she was finished, Jersey was just giving her a look over her sunglasses. "You have got to fucking be shitting me. Words written in blood? A cat that was petrified and might as well be dead for all the life it fucking showed hanging from a torch bracket? Some creepy ass voice talking about killing and eating? Some mysterious and hidden chamber? What the fuck, that is some horror movie shit right there."

Grinning, Johnston shook her head. "So freaking cool." Ducking under a swat from Heermann, Johnston frowned. "What?"

Heermann shook her head with a sigh. "Johnston, think for a moment. Wouldn't you be worried?"

For a moment, Johnston gave it some thought before she shrugged and shook her head. "Nope! Besides, Nagato's kid can handle himself because he's a bit of a badass."

That earned her another swat to the head, this time from Jersey. Meanwhile, Wisconsin frowned as she kept looking out at the horizon. "I can see why Nagato is worried, but it might be an isolated incident. Besides, we do we know anything at all about this Chamber of Secrets thing?"

Slowly, Kaga frowned as she shook her head. "No, we don't. Harry-Chan is trying to find out what he can, but there's not much."

With a snort, Zuikaku shook her head. "Not surprising, it has been a thousand years after all. And we all know how bad that can be." That got her nods from the others before she scratched her head. "Aw, jeez, I still feel bad for the kiddo though."

Even as that got her nods, Shoukaku placed it at the back of her mind as she did her last checks while noticing that Hornet was doing the same. "Um, it's almost time to start..."

Glancing at her, Akagi gave a nod before the ramen cup in her hand disappeared. "It is, does everyone know the plan and what each of us is going to do?"

With a roll of her eyes, Enterprise shrugged. "We're going to perform a strike on Iwo Jima to hit at Fortification Princess there while bombing what we can and torpedoing as many ships as possible. Albie, Archie, and Bowfin as well as Harder have been hitting her ships for a while now, so she has to suspect an attack is coming. Once our initial strikes hit, we start heading back north to draw away surface elements and her own planes. Settsu is also setting up to make it appear as if a bunch of shipgirls are heading out from Okinawa."

Jersey then grumbled some. "And that will be when the Boomies try their own stunt. What the fuck they're going to do, I don't know. Especially with two 747s. Fucking nut cases."

There were shrugs at that as none of the shipgirls could really understand it themselves before Zuikaku finished. "Which should cause Fortification Princess to pull any forces from Cannibal Island Oni to herself to prepare for an invasion... Which will be when Ryuuhou's group will hit the Oni's installation as hard as possible and sink any vessels."

Frowning, Wisconsin looked between them with a small frown. "Wasn't there a bit there about possibly invading Iwo Jima?"

Softly snorting, Hornet shook her head. "Only if somehow we manage to do enough damage to her. It's why Arizona, Pennsylvania, Louisiana, and Montana are a thousand miles north with various Landing Shipgirl along with Shinano, Ryuujou, Junyou, and White Plains. Then the Marines will show up to help as well."

Only shrugging, Enteprise smirked as she launched her first wave into the air followed by her sister and then the Japanese Carrier Shipgirls. "If that's the case, then let's show the Chair Force real air power."
_______________________________________________________________________

Large chunks of Iwo Jima were burning.

Even now, there were explosions as the odd ammunition or fuel depot went off. Meanwhile, at the anchorage, Abyssal ships were laying where they had sunk, targets for torpedoes from the surprise dawn attack. Standing above them all, Fortification Princess scowled fiercly at the damage. They would pay, the shipgirls would all pay for this and do so in flesh and blood.

Turning, she sent yet another message to Cannibal Island Demon to hurry and send her more of her aircraft, the first flight of which were even now entering the Princess' airspace. She had expected the humans to launch an attack due to the Submarine attacks, but not so soon. Even now, she could feel her imps at work still improving the old fortifications, crawling over the bones of humans from the war in the tunnels.

And then her scout plane finally came within range of the shipgirl fleet and she froze at seeing who was there. Not just the Japanese CarDiv 1 and CarDiv 2, but also Hornet and the infamous Grey Ghost herself. Along with them were two a group of Battlecruisers, two Iowas, and the Yamato herself. A shiver ran down her spine at that and she clinched her fists hard enough to draw rotten blood and oil.

This... this was not a probing attack...

Suddenly, another of her planes caught radio signals to the northwest and she realized what was going on. No, this was not a probing attack, this was a prelude to invasion. The invasion fleet had to be northwest while the attacking force was to the north. Considering the distance, there was mere hours to get ready. Her radar at the same time caught sight of two large aircraft to the southwest. It only took her a moment to realize that they were two of the kind that the humans used as airliners, yet they were flying too low. But why...

Out of nowhere, the Princess suddenly smiled as she remembered something that had been passed on by the Others. The humans liked to use old airliners to keep watch and gather information on battles. It made sense, the humans were observing her actions. For a brief moment, she considered sending some of her fighters towards them before dismissing it. They were several hundred miles away after all.

Let the humans watch, they would see their heroes die and fall while she stood upon their corpses. Dismissing it, she turned her attention to Chichijima. "{Where are my ships!? And the rest of my aircraft!?}"

The response came almost immedately. "{I have sent you all that I can. Anymore and I will have problems keeping myself defended!}"

Scowling, Fortification Princess sent a pulse and was rewarded with a scream of agony. "{Do not forget your place! You are mine and obey me, you exist because I allow for it. Now send my your ships and aircraft! I will send the ships northwest to fight the invasion force while the aircraft shall protect me. As for you... the humans will ignore you as they ignored your island during the war. No, they will want to kill me first and then you as they know the importance of myself to this area. And if I fall, so shall you... SO SEND ME WHAT I NEED!}"

Getting only whimpers, the Princess nodded and turned to the north as she felt the Oni send her what she demanded. Already, the ships were heading to the northwest. Yes, let the humans come... she will be ready. Unnoticed by her or any of the other Abyssals, not too far away RO's head broke the surface and she brought up what looked like a bazooka and aimed it towards the island before flipping a switch.

Meanwhile, several hundred miles to the southwest, inside the cockpit of one of the converted 747, the pilot glanced out his window at the F-22s following alongside. Leaning back, he caught his co-pilot's eye and then glanced over his shoulder at the sensor operator. "Think those Abyssals caught sight of us yet?"

Only shaking her head, the sensor operator frowned. "If they have, they're ignoring us for now." There was a beeping sound and she nodded. "We got the laser designator online... targets locked."

Clicking on the radio, the pilot chuckled darkly. "This is Goose-1, ready to release the goslings. Repeat, ready to release the goslings."

Long ago, he worked in the Air Force and then, after retiring, worked in one of the airlines. Right up until Blood Week which saw his family killed. Since then, he had been flying converted 747s operating as sensor platforms. Anything to hurt the Abyssals. But until now, he was unable to hurt them directly.

While those thoughts were going through his mind, a bay door on the right side of the tail cone opened up as the same did on the other 747. Inside what had been the cabin, a device rolled into place and locked before suddenly spitting out one missile followed by the other. And behind it, several other launchers waited.

By the time the converted airliner began to turn away from the islands and back for Japan as it climbed as fast as it could, a hundred and eighty cruise missiles were flying for Iwo Jima and the Princess.

 

[darthcourt10]

Harry Leferts

As per usual when she needed to think, the Abyssal known as "Cannibal Island Oni" was chewing on something in order to focus her thoughts. In this case, it was a thigh bone that belonged to one of the island's inhabitants who had tried to hide. Gnawing at it, she frowned as she sat on a "Throne" composed of rubble with scattered human bones around. Part of it was being nervous with two Fleets to the north and northwest. Yes, they would be likely to head for Iwo Jima with hopes of killing Fortification Princess and so leave her alone for a time. But she was still nervous nonetheless.

The rest was due to a deep, dark amusement at what had happened so far to her "Superior".

Even now, she could hear the howls of rage and pain from the Princess. A few hours might have gone by, but she was still badly injured by the humans' missiles. More then one snicker escaped from the Oni at the thought of how being a Princess meant that the other was far more targeted. Suddenly an grumble came from stomach and she clawed at it with a scowl. "You can wait. If they decide to invade, we'll have more sweet meat soon enough." Pulling the bone away from her mouth, she licked her lips while leaning against her arm, itself propped up on a human skull. "Yes, soon enough... Might need to get the pot ready, mmm."

Turning, she frowned as she looked out on her own anchorage. After the morning attack, the Princess had left her with little. One Battleship and two Wo as well as eight Destroyers. Outside of that... just ten Q-ships. She was practically defenseless. But the Princess had a point. Even during the previous war, the humans had ignored her Island and so-

Her train of thought came to a screeching halt as suddenly the Battleship screamed as two torpedoes struck it. And then both Wo went down followed by three of the Destroyers. "WHAT IS THIS-"

A buzzing caused her to turn in time to see three floatplanes appear and drop something on the communications facility. Moments later, it went up in flames as the bombs struck. Above it, having also been hit by the guns on the aircraft, the radio tower, made of black, Abyssal metal, began to topple. And with it, all communications with any Abyssal outside of normal radio range ceased.

The Oni was still howling several seconds later as four more Destroyers went up followed by the first shells raining down on her island. Several miles away, Kana blushed as Fubuki gave her a grin and a thumbs up. "Great job, Kana-San."

Shyly smiling, Kana gave a small nod even as she fired off the next group of shells. "Thank you, Fubuki-Sempai."

Beside her, Tosa shook her head and chuckled before firing her own guns. At the confused look from Kana and Fubuki, she just shook her head. 'Poor, Kana-Chan. I have to wonder though...'

Quickly shaking off those thoughts, she took a deep breath before firing again. There was a shout from Niiyodo who punched the hair. "Excellent strike, Tosa-San! You just cratered the airfield as they were about to launch planes."

There was a smile on Tosa's face as she nodded with a chuckle. "Was there any doubt? I may not be my sister, Kaga, but I do understand about poise and accuracy. And I have practiced."

Meanwhile, in the middle of the formation, Ryuuhou frowned for a moment before lining up her shot and firing. In a burst of flame, her arrow transformed into several planes and headed towards the island as beside her, Shouhou and Zuihou did the same. As one, their flights headed for the island and then Ryuuhou smiled brightly as she turned towards Taigei. "I did it, Nee-San! I just sunk two Destroyers!"

Softly smiling, Taigei chuckled a bit and nodded. "I noticed. As Shinano-San said, you've improved. Oh! There goes the last Q-Ship." With a slight frown, she turned to the last group of ships. "Do you think that you'll be fine, Akitsu-San?"

Arms folded against her chest, Akitsu Maru let out a sigh. "I believe that I'll be fine. Any problems will come after we have taken the beach..." Glancing back at the two Ōsumi class, she slowly nodded before looking at the three other shipgirls and gave them a small bow. "Thank you for allowing me to take point in this operation. I and my crew thank you."

Chuckling, the lead Landing Shipgirl waved her off even though a blush was visible on her brown skinned cheeks. "You don't need to thank us for nothin'. You Japanese deserve to get first crack at that monster for what she did to your people. So you just clear the way and we'll have your back... and save some for us, will ya?"

Lips turned upwards, Akitsu Maru shook her head as she began to prepare for launching her Daihatsu. "I shall make no promises, Anna-San. But thank you for having our back."

In another section of the group, Athabaskan I checked her wrist computer and groaned. "Oh man, I can't believe that I'm going to miss it. Sis is so damn lucky."

Yuudachi turned and tilted her head in confusion. "Miss? Miss what, Poi?"

Sighing, Athabaskan I placed her hands behind her head with a grimace. "Apparently one Landing Shipgirl for the Iwo Jima invasion has Audie Murphy as a fairy on her. And another has Leo Major. Dammit, seeing those two fight alongside each other would be awesome."

Even more confused, Yuudachi scratched her cheek. "Um, I know about Murphy-San from some of the Americans... but who is Major-San?"

Now grinning, Athabaskan I threw one arm over Yuudachi's shoulders. "Who is Leo Major? One of the most badass Canadians out there. Let me tell you about him even though it was after I was sunk..."

Several minutes later though, Yuudachi was giving her a look and snorted. "You're telling me that he liberated an entire town by himself? I don't believe you, Poi."

Unable to help herself, Athabaskan I shrugged and laughed. "Believe me or don't, Yuudachi. But that actually happened. Like I said, I'm sort of jealous of Haida as she's going to get to see the two of them working together."

Before she could continue though, Mutsuki's shout caused them all to turn in the shipgirl's direction. "ABYSSAL DESTROYER, THIRTEEN DEGREES, PORTSIDE!"

As one, Yuudachi and Athabaskan I faced the damaged Destroyer with the Canadian lining up her guns as Yuudachi did the same. Then they fired with the Abyssal in an attempt to dodge Yuudachi's, instead running into Athabaskan I's fire which hit something vulnerable. Moments later, Yuudachi blinked as she lowered her canon and turned to the surprised Tribal class. "I thought that it was your sister who was always setting things on fire, Poi."

Looking at the dead, and still burning Abyssal Destroyer, Athabaskan I frowned. "Um... yeah? I have no idea what the heck just happened, eh?"

With a second's worth of thought, Yuudachi shrugged. "Poi."
__________________________________________________________________

The Abyssal Destroyer was crashing through the foilage of the forest with a growl. It wanted nothing more then to fight and kill. But it's Mistress had given it an order to stay on Minami Iwo Jima just in case any magicals showed up. Animalistic in thought, it might have been, but it knew better then to disobey the Princess. Even now, with her under attack, she would not call it back.

Inside it's boilers, hate brewed alongside bloodlust as it wanted nothing more then to kill. To shred and destroy.

And then it heard a loud bang in the nearly dead air and was about to turn when something hit it's torpedo launchers and detonated, setting them off as well. Several hundred meters away, Maruyu nodded to herself as she stood up from where she had been laying with her sniper rifle, a slight smile on her face. "They never see a Submarine coming." Slowly, Maruyu made her way through the brush until she reached the dead Abyssal and nodding. "Well... that's that. Mogu, mogu."

With a fond smile, she patted her gun and shook her head. "I'll never understand why no one else uses you. High velocity grenades are so useful." Shifting it back into her hull, Maruyu continued on her way through the forest until she reached the point on Minami Iwo Jima that she was looking for.

Mainly a ruined building composed of mutton fat jade. For several moments, Maruyu stood there looking around the ruins. Everywhere she looked, she could see signs of battle. Here and there were obvious marks left by the Abyssal attack that had leveled the place. Bullet holes and craters could be seen everywhere. But there were signs of the wizards who had defended the place.

Such as the partially melted remains of an Abyssal Heavy Cruiser to the left of her.

No matter what she thought of them, the staff of the school had fought to the very last to protect their students and buy them enough time. And the little Submarine knew that almost all of them had given their lives for it and the children. Slowly, Maruyu closed her eyes and gave a bow to the ruins while clapping her hands. "Please forgive me, but I need to examine where you fell. To see if there is anything recoverable and to find out more. I promise you though, after this we shall do our best to make sure that the Abyssals cannot taint your graves any longer."

For a moment, everything was utterly still and it was almost as if the world itself was holding it's breath. And then there was a cool breeze that brushed past Maruyu, moving her bangs which made her smile. "Thank you, I shall do my best not to disturb you any more then is needed."

With that, she began to move further into the ruins, taking pictures for record keeping as she did so. The Go-Pro on her head also recorded her journey as she soon disappeared among the rubble of what was once a school.

 

[darthcourt10]

Harry Leferts

Little more then a decade ago, the apartment building was home to various people on the island. People spoke, laughed, made happy memories under the Sun. Now, it stood empty and forlorn. Then the Abyssals attacked and most of the islanders evacuated either from the airfield or from boats and ships that threw what they could off to make room for the people and what belongings they could carry. Some stayed behind... only to fall victim to the Abyssals. And now, the building was left as nothing more then a monument, a silent testiment to those who once called the island home.

Twelve years without maintence as well as some damage from the initial battles with the Abyssals had left it unlivable. And the current battle raging through the ruins of what had been the main town between the Abyssals on one side and the Shipgirls and Humans as well as Fairies on the other did not help. Just above, the sound of an Autogyro could be heard alongside a human helicopter could be heard before fading.

It had not been more then two minutes though after the sounds were gone that one of the walls exploded and something flew though the hole and crashed through another wall.

Moments later, Akitsu Maru got to her feet in the cloud of dust and other debris before glaring through the hole as she waited. As it turned out, she did not need to wait long as a dark chuckle could be heard and the battered and injured Cannibal Island Oni stepped through the hole with a bloodthirsty grin on her face. "Still alive are we? Good."

Getting into a stance, Akitsu Maru only narrowed her eyes slightly. "It will take more then that to kill me." Simply watching, Akitsu Maru let out a breath as part of her considered why she was fighting an Abyssal hand to hand. Part of it was that the Oni had been using the buildings as well as tunnels to pop up in various places despite the injuries she had taken so far in both the bombardment and invasion. The other... was a far more personal reason. "I do not think that the same can be said for you, though. Aho."

For a few seconds, the Oni paused and then her expression shifted to one of rage. "I am going to enjoy ripping the flesh from your bones, shipgirl"

Akitsu Maru's reply was only to shift into a stance as the Oni charged her. Both of them were grappling each other moments later before Akitsu Maru threw her opponent through a wall as the building groaned above them. While part of her wished to use her guns, she couldn't be sure that she would not hit a friendly. There was a part of her that did enjoy using her hands and feet for this. Stepping through the hole, she tilted her head to the side with claws capable of ripping through steel tearing a cut along her cheek. But before the Oni could react, Akitsu grabbed said overextended arm and then landed one punch to the where human kidneys would be on a human.

Then another.

A third punch soon followed.

Leg snapping out, the shipgirl sent the Abyssal flying once more. However, this time, the Oni landed like a cat and snarled before charging once more with Akitsu Maru meeting her in what had been someone's living room. Both of them had the hands of the other and were trying to overpower their opponent. "Why...?"

Her head tilting up a bit and looking into the eyes of her foe, Akitsu Maru frowned slightly. "Why what?"

Shifting a bit to try and get a bit more leverage, the Oni growled as the shipgirl shifted to prevent it. "Why come back as a shipgirl? You're Army, not Navy." Her smile then became twisted. "Like me. You even look like one of us."

For a moment, Akitsu Maru hung her head, bangs covering her eyes as their arms trembled from the strain. "...I am nothing like you."

Now blinking, the Oni frowned. "What?"

Akitsu Maru then brought her head up and glared into her opponent's eyes. "I." Engines straining, she shoved the Oni back several inches. "Am." Gouges were dug into the floor as the Abyssal's eyes widened in shock. "Nothing." Trying, the Oni fruitlessly tried to dig in her own feet, but kept being pushed back and through another wall as Akitsu's voice rose to a roar. "LIKE YOU!"

Before she could react, Akitsu's knee came up and the breath exploded from the Abyssal. Such was the impact though from the shipgirl's blow that the Oni slammed into, and through, the ceiling above causing the building to shudder. Landing on the floor above, the Oni snarled as she began to climb to her knees, one hand reaching down between her knees. "You... fucking... skank..." A thump announced Akitsu Maru leaping up through the hole. "I'll suck the marrow from your bones as you fucking scream."

Snarling, she leapt to her feet to lunge at the shipgirl, but was met part way by Akitsu's fist which staggered her as the shipgirl growled. "You want to know why I came back? I know what the Army did during the war..." Her fist slammed into the Oni's chest, an indent being caved in. "I know what I had been a part of, what crimes happened, even by association." Another fist smashed into her foe's jaw, breaking it with the sound of steel snapping. "Such as on this island." Grabbing the Oni's hair, the shipgirl yanked her head down at the same time as she brought her knee up, shattering the Abyssal's nose. "I shall never be able to make it up! Never!"

The Oni staggered as Akitsu Maru brought her head down in a headbutt, causing her vision to double. "GAH! BUH BERTCH!"

Eyes narrowed in a glare, Akitsu Maru shifted on one foot as she brought the other up into the air as she roared. "BUT I WILL PAY IN MY OWN BLOOD AND STEEL TO TRY! THAT IS WHY I HAVE RETURNED! NOW GO BACK TO THE HELL YOU CAME FROM!"

Her foot then came down on the Oni's back between the shoulder blades first sending her to the floor, and then through it and the floor below into the basement of the building. Slowly striding to the hole, Akitsu Maru looked down to see a dust cloud billowing up from the darkness below before the building shifted. Glancing around, she began running and crashed her way through a final wall until she was hanging in the air over the street before coming down and cratering it. Behind her, there was a final groan before the building collapsed in a cloud of debris.

For almost a minute, Akitsu Maru watched the pile of rubble for any signs of life before sighing and turning as she began walking away. Unseen, some rubble shifted as she walked past a snapped off barrel of a tank. And then the rubble exploded as the Oni, bleeding from a mass of wounds, leapt at the shipgirl's unprotected back. Claws extended, Cannibal Island Oni laughed as she was about to punch those claws through Akitsu's back, ending her life. "YOU FIRST!"

Just before she reached her, several things happened in sequence. One was Akitsu Maru slamming one foot onto the unbroken end of the tank's cannon and causing the broken end tilt up into the air. The second was to suddenly whip around and grab the flying Abyssal in a grapple before slamming her onto the broken tank cannon, piercing her all the way through as blood shot from the Oni's fanged mouth. "No, you first."

Then her sword flashed out and the Abyssal's head rolled along the ground. Wiping the rotten blood and oil off it on the Oni's clothes, Akitsu Maru then resheathed it. For several seconds, she looked at the dead Abyssal and then let out a breath...

Right before it became a hiss and she wrapped one arm around her chest with her eyes wide from pain. "Kuso... kuso... Shit... I'm going to need a lot of dockwork after this..." Slowly, she began to walk away, stumbling every so often. "Akashi-San is going to murder me slowly..."

 

[darthcourt10]

Harry Leferts

Running across the volcanic ash plain, the Marine went skidding behind a boulder as machine gun fire slammed into the ground near his feet. For several seconds, he just sucked in breath from his run before blinking as an amused voice spoke up. "You doing okay there, kid?"

Slowly nodding, he chuckled and turned. "Yeah, I am..."

His words died though at seeing what was talking to him. Mainly that it was a Marine in a group of others, all of whom were wearing the same clothes that they did in 1945 and looking amused. Well, that and they were transparent as well which did not help. One of the ghostly Marines behind the one who spoke patted his pockets and then shrugged as he held out a cigarette. "You wouldn't happen to have a light or something on you, would you?"

With a chuckle, the modern Marine nodded and pulled out a lighter. "As a matter of fact, I do." Clicking it on, he held it out so that the other Marine could light it. "Kind of calm about being under fire like this, aren't you?"

Only shrugging, the ghostly being puffed out some smoke as chips of rock flew from the boulder from the machine gun fire. "Kid, this is the second time that I've been on this damn island to take it. First from the Japs and now from a bunch of demons from Satan's wet ass. And I've been dead for two decades, let me tell you something... Not much bothers me anymore."

Shaking his head, the first ghostly Marine jerked his head at the nearby pillbox firing on them. "Got anything that can deal with that? Otherwise we need to wait for one of the flamethrowers to show up."

Now grinning, the modern Marine unslung a tube from his shoulder and winked. "As a matter of fact, that was why I came over. Watch and learn, grandpa. Watch and learn."

As he loaded it, the ghostly person glanced at the name tag and laughed. "Well, I'll be. Never expected you to be here, Jacob."

Just snorting, Jacob took a deep breath. "Neither did I, grandpa. Mind giving me some covering fire so that we can kick some Abyssal ass together?"

Laughing, his grandfather shook his head. "You got it Jacob. Oorah!"

Inside the pillbox, the rotting face of one of the Abyssal Infantry men blinked as he ducked as the Marines fired on his position. Then his eyes widened as he heard a whoosh a few seconds later and his world became one of pain and fire as a rocket shot through the opening and detonated inside the pillbox, obliterating it.

Elsewhere on Iwo Jima, Abrams were tearing up the ground alongside ghostly Shermans, both with infantry alongside them both living and not. Some of the WWII tanks spraying out streams of fire which burned any Abyssal Shade that got too close while above, WWII aircraft were flying alongside more modern jets and helicopters to help provide air support. Slowly, but surely, the island was being reclaimed for humanity even as the Abyssals tried to prevent it.

Thousands of miles away in Yokosuka, Goto was watching a group of screens before him which were showing the battles going on from multiple views. On the screen, he could see a ripple of explosions tear across a part of Iwo Jima while a nearby icon showed two B-52s flying away. "How far have they gotten."

Nearby, Ooyodo looked up from her own station and frowned. "They've taken about fifteen percent of Iwo Jima, though some groups are waiting for support."

Also looking over, Nagato nodded some as some of Louisiana's shellfire took out a fortified position. "Teitoku, Chichijima has been taken. Cannibal Island Oni is dead..."

Glancing over, there was a grim smile on Goto's face as he nodded. "Good, pass on my congradulations to the good General and our own girls. How soon before they repair the airfield? The forces on Iwo Jima are going to need the backup."

Within moments, Nagato nodded as she read the report. "They should have enough repaired by midnight for some aircraft."

Slowly nodding, Goto continued to watch the incoming reports and video from drones flying above both Iwo Jima and Chichijima. On them, he could see the Landing Shipgirls on the beaches disgorging more shadowy figures and objects which joined the others already on the islands. "The sooner we take both islands, the better."

Humming, Nagato nodded until she noticed that Goto was now giving her a raised eyebrow. "Is something wrong, Teitoku?"

Just raising his eyebrow some more, Goto frowned. "You seem rather distracted, Nagato. Is what happened at Hogwarts still bothering you?"

For a few moments, Nagato was quiet before sighing. "I would be lying if I did not say that it was. My son could be danger right now. And yet..."

Also frowning, Ooyodo shook her head. "You can't do much at the moment." Tilting her head to the side, the Light Cruiser narrowed her eyes. "I was under the understanding that nothing else has happened since Halloween..."

With a growl, Nagato clinched her fists. "No, and that is what bothers me. Something like what happened is not a one off event. And something tells me that things will get much worse before it gets better."

From her own desk, Niiyodo looked up and blinked. "Um... didn't Harry-Chan send us information? I mean, he did ask his history teacher about it after all. Wasn't there anything from that?"

Her fingers tapping against her desk, Nagato shook her head. "No, there wasn't all too much there regarding this... 'Chamber of Secrets.' Mostly hearsay and half forgotten legends." Eyes narrowing, Nagato glared at nothing in particular. "And I doubt very much that there would be much in their library."

Becoming thoughtful, Niiyodo frowned before raising her finger. "Um... could there be something in Harry-Chan's library? I mean, you said that there was a lot of old books in that storage shed of his..."

Staying silent, Goto frowned as the shipgirls continued to talk between updates with what was happening. 'Sorry, Harry. I can't give you as much help this time... hopefully you'll find something out.' Then his attention was grabbed by something on the screen and he smiled a bit as he noticed the LCAC landing on the beach and heading up it. "Ah, good, they finally arrived."

For her part, Nagato only shook her head. "I don't know how you managed to convince the Germans to send them. Or how effective they'll be."

All Goto did though was grin as the ramp came down and three young women stepped down and onto the ground of Iwo Jima, sinking in some. Moments later, sparkles appeared around them and solidified into rigging, in particular one massive cannon for each of them. "Well, they were designed for anti-fortification work so the hope is that they'll do well enough. And the Germans have been having trouble finding things for them to do."

On Iwo Jima itself, Schwerer Gustav took a deep breath before letting it out and smiling. "Come my Schwestern. We shall finally get to do what we were made to do since returning!"

Her own smile somewhat bloodthirsty, Dora chuckled. "Ja, let's show them real anti-fortication methods." She then stamped one foot down on the ground and shook her head. "At least now, we are not so limited by rails! And we can move!"

With that, Langer only shrugged and began to walk forward, ignoring sharpshooters firing at them. Then coming to a stop, she took aim at one group of fortifications that she was told was well dug in and away from any friendlies and the frontlines.

And then she fired.

 

[darthcourt10]

Harry Leferts

Floating silently in the water column, the two USN Subgirls waited. The Abyssal Fleet that had been sent out by Fortification Princess after the false fleet that was Settsu. So most of the USN Subgirls and some Japanese ones were waiting along the probable route. As soon as the Abyssals passed into "Death Alley", the Subs would be on them.

Or, rather, that was the plan.

Scratching her head, Stickleback frowned as she turned to her partner. "Hey, Angie? Where the heck are the Abyssals? They should have been here by now."

Eyebrow twitching, the Gato class Submarine Angler let out a sigh. "Don't call me Angie. As for where they are... how the heck should I know?"

Floating up until she was just below the surface, Stickleback typed something on the wrist computer she had and then put her arms above the water to send. Once she got a ding, she lowered both arms and descended until she was next to Angler and blinked. "Uh... they're zig-zagging?"

That got her a confused look from Angler who leaned over. "What? Did someone mess up and shoot off their load too early?"

Slowly, Stickleback turned to her and raised an eyebrow. "Lewd."

Rolling her eyes, Angler snorted and then frowned as she looked at the coordinates for the Abyssal fleet, speed, and general heading. "Well... we should know in about thirty minutes then."

Not even twenty five minutes later though, both Subgirls turned and blinked at the sound of explosions. One in particular caught Angler's attention as she furrowed her eyebrows. "That one was air escaping from a sinking ship. The fuck is going on?" Another explosion, if anything caused her frown to deepen. "And that was a magazine touching off."

Sharing a look with Angler, Stickleback rose up until they where below the water and extended periscopes. For several moments, the were silent until Stickleback spoke in a shaky voice. "U-uh, Angie? D-do... are you seeing the same thing that I am?"

With a nervous swallow, Angler nodded. "Yeah... if you are seeing a unknown Princess class currently ripping and tearing her way through a fleet of fellow Abyssals. Don't know who she is, but that is definitely not one of Wanko's or Supprin's bunch since they're the only Princesses."

Just wincing as a Wo got her head blasted off, Stickleback nodded. "Then yes, I'm seeing that too. What are we supposed to do in this case?"

Angler only shrugged. "Let them fight each other?"

Both of them froze as the Princess stopped and then turned to look directly at them. For a moment, she tilted her head and then smiled. "Fufufufufu. So you shipgirls have arrived, so you have arrived." The two were about to crash dive as was sensible when facing a Princess. They weren't Harder, Bowfin, or Albie after all! But then the Princess turned away. "I have no quarrel with you, or other shipgirls as long as you keep sinking those who harmed Small Laughter and do not fight me."

And with that said, the Princess continued hunting and destroying the Abyssal Fleet. Soon enough, they were out of sight of the two Subs who just floated silently. Then they shared a look with each other with Stickleback pointing a shaking finger in the direction that the Princess had gone. "D-did that just fucking happen?!"

Very slowly, Angler nodded. "Yeah... that happened. I don't believe it myself, but it did." Sharing a look, both of them broke the surface. Fuck radio silence, this needed to be passed up the ladder yesterday.
___________________________________________________________________________
The Sun was blood red as if soaked in blood as it slowly sank towards the horizon, all the dust and smoke in the air coloring it an ominous color. In various places, US Marines both past and present dug themselves in for the coming night and possible Abyssal counteroffensive. Some of them knew that they would not live to see the coming dawn, others were just watching as the Shipgirl Aircraft Carriers off shore sent off flight after flight to perform as many bombing runs as possible. Thankfully, the Battleships would continue their bombardment through the night as would others.

Such as Schwerer Gustav who was currently sitting and shovelling food down her throat as fast as possible. With a swallow, she looked down at the MRE in front of her and then at the empty ones beside her before pointing. "The rations now have improved greatly from the War."

With a snort, one of the Marines nearly choked. Pounding his chest, he gave her a disbelieving look. "Bull-fucking-shit. This stuff sucks ass."

Only raising an eyebrow, Schwerer shook her head. "Nein. If you think that then count yourself lucky that you have not seen what passed for combat rations during the War."

Just rolling his eyes, the Marine turned back to his meal as another Marine spoke up, this time a female. "So, I got a question for you."

Schwerer swallowed the food in her mouth before nodding. "Many of us have questions, my friend. But I'll try to answer yours as best that I can."

As the giant cannon wielding girl took another bite, the female Marine narrowed her eyes. "Where the heck are you getting your ammo from? I read up that you girls had an entire train for your stuff, and yet here you are."

Chuckling, Schwerer motioned with her finger to her back. "It's in the form of mein backpack. It contains everything that I need, though I don't know how." For a moment, she chewed thoughtfully before finally shrugging. "Bah, I don't understand this or anything else."

There was a massive boom and everyone turned to see that Dora had fired off her cannon about a mile distant. Moments later, a fortified Abyssal artillery position vanished in a cloud of dust, smoke, and rock fragments as the round struck. Slowly shaking his head, one of the younger Marines chuckled. "Now that is what I call fire support. Could have used it in Afghanistan." Watching, he could see Dora pull her feet out of the holes made by her weight and then begin to, slowly, make her way over with what amount to small baby steps. "Bit slow though."

Only giving him a look, Schwerer snorted. "And yet, so are shipgirls on land with their rigging. We may be slow, but we are still faster then we were in back when we were mere weapons." Bringing one hand down, she slapped her thigh. "Look at this! Real German engineering perfection." Ignoring the bemused looks, Schwerer took another bite and continued to watch her sister. Unknown to the Marines though, there was a thought in her mind. 'I wonder if any of the tanks will show up...? Mein Gott, we could use them.'

With a shrug, she finished off her last bit of food and got up with a goodbye to the Marines. Then, slowly, she made her way towards where a bunch of IFVs and tanks were. The Marines in them waiting for her so that they could escort her to another section of the island. No one was taking any chances.

Meanwhile, the Sun touched the horizon and began disappearing as darkness fell.

Later that night, one of the Marines was peering through his night vision goggles as he could swear that something was moving. Eyes narrowing, he pulled his radio to his lips and ordered illumination flares sent up. And when they were, he froze for a moment. During the day, the Abyssal's version of infantry were horrific. Now? During the night only lit up by flares in the sky? All that could be seen was a nearly silent army of what looked like shambling, rotting corpses with black metal spikes jutting from their flesh in various places. One of them scowled and drew a black sword which it pointed in the direction of the Marines. "ATTACK!"

Almost as one, a number of Abyssals began to lay down suppressive fire on the Marines. While they were doing that, their fellow Abyssals began a lopping run across the ground towards the fixed positions as black, Abyssal tanks that spewed blue, eldritch flames from their exhausts roared in defiance as the humans and shipgirls' own tanks began to fire back. Scowling, the Marine who had spotted them gestured with one hand. "LIGHT THOSE BASTARDS UP AND SEND THEM BACK TO HELL!"

There was no peace on Iwo Jima for that night, or for many more afterwards.

 

[darthcourt10]

Harry Leferts

Standing in the hallway, Harry frowned as he looked from one spot to another before walking around. "Not too many clues left."

For her part, Hermione snorted and then shook her head. "Of course not, Harry. You didn't expect for them to just leave it like it was for days, did you?" Seeing his slight flush, she shook her head. "Anyways... I do have some information for you."

Now perking up, Harry turned and looked at her. "Oh? Really?"

Coming to a stop beside him, Hermione turned to both Ron and Neville who looked interested in what she had to say. "One of my fairies managed to get a sample of the blood used to write the message. It was just chicken blood, nothing more and nothing less."

For a moment, Ron blinked and then frowned at her. "Wait, chicken blood? You're serious?"

When Hermione nodded, Harry crossed his arms and tilted his head. "That's... odd. I've seen chicken blood referenced as being used in dark magic in movies and stuff, but never thought it was actually real."

That got him a look from Neville. "Wait, muggles think that chicken blood is used in dark magic? Why?"

All Harry did was continue to scan the area with a frown. "No clue, but you see it a lot. Well, that and I think in Voodoo? I'll have to ask Louisiana on that though as she knows more about that sort of thing then me."

Rather bemused, Hermione shook her head as she began to walk forward. "I doubt very much that Salazar Slytherin knew the first thing about voodoo traditions, Harry." With another look, she stopped and crouched as she ran her fingers across one spot on the floor. "Look at this though, scorch marks."

Beside her, the others also crouched and frowned as Ron scratched his head. "What the heck? But that was where the puddle was, so what could have scorched stone?"

Eyes narrowed, Harmione had flashes inside one eye before grimacing. "Now that, Ron, is the question." A tap on the shoulder caused her to turn and frown as Neville was staring at something. "Something wrong?"

Utterly confused, Neville nodded as he pointed. "Yes? I mean... look at that."

As one, their eyes ran to where Neville was pointing and blinked. There, heading out the window was a stream of spiders. Not having noticed Ron recoil, Harry got up to his feet and walked over before leaning in. "Okay... now that's beyond wierd. And bad."

Getting up, Hermione walked over and more flashes could be seen in her eye as she followed the spiders and could spot the line heading across the cobblestones outside until they vanished among the dead grass. "Bad? How so?"

Harry gave her a look and then pointed. "Hermione, it's probably right around freezing. Something is driving the spiders outside into the Highlands in November. That's a death sentence for them, so why would they be heading out?"

It took a moment, but Hermione also turned to stare. "That's... you're right." Her frown deepened and her eyebrows furrowed as she shook her head. "You would think that their every instinct would be screaming at them not to go outside, but they are and..." Leaning in, Hermione raised an eyebrow. "They're moving as if they can't get outside fast enough. Like something is scaring them."

Slowly, they turned to look at each other with Neville speaking the question on their mind. "But what could be scaring them that much?"

Just about to say something, Harry realized that only him, Neville, and Hermione were there. Turning, he could see Ron on the other side of the hallway pressed against the wall. "Uh, Ron? Something wrong?"
With a shudder, Ron shook his head. "Mate, I hate spiders. Hate them! If they want to go outside and die, then they're welcome to do so."

Blinking, Harry tilted his head. "Poi?"

In her case, Hermione rolled her eyes before flicking Harry's ear. "Stop that." She then turned to Ron and frowned. "Why are you so scared of spiders, Ron? You've never seemed to be before."
Voice dry, Ron grimaced and shivered. "You've never seen me around spiders, guys. Those things... all those legs and beady eyes..."

The green eyed member of their group once more tilted his head. "But what's wrong with them? They can be pretty cute! Especially when they wear raindrops as hats." When the others turned towards him, he blinked. "What?"

Ron just stared at him for a moment. "Mate? Don't take this the wrong way... but what the bloody hell is wrong with you?" Getting a shrug from his friend, Ron shook his head. "Anyways... I had a teddy bear when I was three. Fred thought it a big, huge laugh to turn it into a giant spider while I was hugging it and have it animated."

Several moments passed as everyone stared at him. Then the silence was broken as Harry spoke up. "Wow... just wow... That's actually pretty dickish."

Head whipping around, Hermione hissed at him. "Harry!"

Bringing his hands up, Harry shook his head. "What? I'm just saying, it is pretty dickish. Heck, I've grown up among members of the navy, Hermione, and I am pretty sure that ninety percent of them wouldn't even consider pulling something like that. That's the type of thing that doing gets you a target painted on your back."

Only pinching her nose, Hermione shook it off and then walked towards a nearby door. "Right, I suppose." For a brief moment, she wondered what would happen if she was to inform Warspite about what she found out. And then Hermione shuddered as she realized that it would not end well for the Twins. Shaking that off, she opened the door and then began to go inside with Harry following. Both of them were inside for several seconds before Hermione poked her head back out. "You two coming?"

Slowly, Neville raised a finger and swallowed nervously. "Um, Hermione? T-that's the girl's washroom..."

Raising her eyebrow, Hermione nodded. "Yes, yes it is. It's Myrtle's."

Just staring at her, Ron shook his head. "Uh, we can't go in there you know. What would people think?"

It was then Harry's turn to poke his head out and he snorted at them. "You haven't really minded before when Rose was here to have tea parties in here."

Expression changing to a very odd one, Ron shook his head and grumbled. "You just made it sound really, really wierd, Mate. Seriously."

As soon as the other two stepped inside and closed the door, Harry cleared his throat. "Myrtle? You here?"

Moments later, said ghost poked her head out of a stall and smiled at seeing her friends. "Oh, hello you guys. And what are you doing here? Is Rose here for another tea party?"

Shaking her head, Hermione looked around before chewing her lip. "No, Rose hasn't arrived for our usual tea party. But... we were going to ask if you've noticed anything recently? After, you know..."

Her expression shifting to a grimace, Myrtle shook her head. "If anything else has happened, then I haven't noticed. Then again, I haven't been in here that often as of late." She then frowned and tapped her chin. "Not that I really mind that though."

With a frown, Harry began to walk along the floor as he scratched his head. "Huh... Yeah, I guess that you haven't." Quickly shaking that off, he frowned some. "I was hoping that you might have seen or heard something. You know, the criminal returning to the scene of the crime."

Face lighting up, Myrtle let out a gasp. "Just like one of the old detective stories that Andrew and I used to read! I never thought of that..." Then slowly, her glee shifted to a thoughtful frown. "Though... I haven't seen anything like that."

Leaning against a wall, Ron frowned and then stood up a bit straighter. "Wait, what about Malfoy?"

That caused everyone to turn towards him in confusion as Neville blinked in confusion. "Malfoy? What about him?"

Grinning slightly, Ron shook his head. "Think back to Halloween for a moment. Malfoy was the only one not surprised by what happened and was also rather gleeful about it. Almost as if he knew it was going to happen! He must know something!"

Harry considered that before he turned to Myrtle. "I don't suppose that you could follow him around or something, Myrtle?"

She didn't even give it a second's thought before shaking her head. "I would if I could, Harry. But the Bloody Baron would notice me doing exactly that and I would need an explanation as to why I'm following one of his charges. Same with spying on their Common Room" As they began to slump, Myrtle had a small frown as she tapped her chin. "Kind of wish that I knew where to get Polyjuice, but the Seventh Years don't make that until the end of the year."

Perking up, Hermione looked at her. "Polyjuice, I read all about that you know." At the looks, she gestured with her hands. "It's a potion that one only needs to a hair or something to drop into it. Then it disguises you as the person for a full hour or so. There's some books in the library for it... I think that I might be able to make it if I'm really careful."

Eyebrows raising, Myrtle frowned. "It's not easy to make you know. A full month of brewing and if you mess up even one step, then you need to toss it all out. And some of the ingredients can get rather expensive."

Hermione only waved her off. "I'm sure that I can make it, Myrtle. All I need though is some of the ingredients, which won't be too hard, and getting permission to go into the Forbidden Section of the library. That's a bit harder as I need a teacher's permission to do so. But... I think that I know who to go to for that..."

With a blink, Harry was about to ask when Neville beat him to a question. "Would it even, um, work on you? I mean... considering that you're..."

Much to everyone's surprise though, it was Ron who answered with a thoughtful expression on his face. "It should actually. I mean, potions seem to work on shipgirls just like they do normal humans, so..."

They all considered that for a few seconds before suddenly the door opened and Percy poked his head in. "RON!" Wincing at the loudness of his own voice, he grimaced. "What are you all doing in here! This is a girl's washroom!"

In reply, Myrtle spoke up. "Um... they're visiting me right now." At Percy's look, she shrugged with a unsure smile. "I don't really get visitors or anything too often, so... sometimes they visit me."

Before Percy could say anything, Harry then spoke up. "Yeah, and sometimes we have tea parties in here with Rose."

That got him an odd look from Percy as the others facepalmed to various degrees. "I hope that you realize, Harry, just how wierd that actually sounds..."

All Harry did was shrug at that.

 

[darthcourt10]

Harry Leferts

Harry was staring at the newspaper in his hands when Hermione sat down with a smile. After a few moments though, Hermione raised an eyebrow and tried to see what her friend was reading. Failing to do so, she coughed to attract his attention and raised an eyebrow at him. "Something interesting in the news?"

Glancing up at her, Harry slowly nodded some before he handed her it. There on the cover was a group of US Marines, some of whom looked ghostly, raising a flag. "They finally took Mount Suribachi on Iwo Jima and raised the US Flag on it again."

For several moments Hermione was silent as she examined the picture before slowly shaking her head. "Funny in a way how history sometimes repeats itself."

All Harry did was shrug a bit. "Yeah, apparently that's been commented on." Seeing the look Hermione was giving him, he shrugged. "It's no secret that the Abyssals keep fighting old WWII battles."

With a few seconds of thought, Hermione finally nodded. "I suppose so, and that does make some sense."

Turning to her breakfast, Hermione began to munch down as they waited for the others. Eventually, Ron showed up with a slight smile on his face before he sat down and began piling his plate up. "Guys? Did it work?"

Softly snickering, Hermione nodded some. "I got permission to look in the Forbidden Section of the library from Professor Lockhart. He was a bit suspicious until I told him it was research that might be of interest to the Royal Navy, which is true."

Across from her, Harry raised his eyebrow. "Really?"

Lips twitching, Hermione swallowed the toast in her mouth and sipped her tea. "As a matter of fact, yes. There might be many potions in that book that might be of interest to the Royal Navy I will have you know and I shall have to pass them on." There was a twinkle in Hermione's eyes before she shook her head and turned to Harry. "How are things on your end?"

Frowning, Harry tapped his fork against his plate before letting out a sigh. "Well... I asked Haru-San through a letter to see if it was possible for her to get us some uncommon potion ingredients. She stated that she did not see the harm and would get us what she could."

If anything though, that caused Ron to blink and turn to him. "Wait, what? Just like that? No questions as to why or how?"

There was a thoughtful look on Harry's face for a few moments before he shook it off. "Um, there's reasons why Haru-San wouldn't make a big deal about it. I know what those reasons are, but unless she lets me know that she does not mind it being known... Let's just say that she has a certain sense of humor and leave it at that."

Both Ron and Hermione shared confused expressions at that before shaking it off. It was then that Neville joined them and sat down. Noticing the paper, he took it and frowned as he tried to read it. "Um... what is this all about?"

Quickly swallowing the bite of food in his mouth, Harry tapped the newspaper. "Basically, it's talking about the Second Battle of Iwo Jima and the Battle of Chichijima." At the confusion, he shook his head. "Way back in WWII, the US fought a battle against the Japanese on the island to take it. After Blood Week, the Abyssals took the island and put a Princess there... so now the US is taking it back from the Abyssals. Chichijima had the Oni that the Princess had as a second in command, but she's dead thanks to the JGSDF and JMSDF with help from shipgirls."

Confused, Neville slowly nodded some as he continued to look at the picture. "Huh." Then his expression lit up. "Oh, you mean like when they went for the beaches at Normandy?"

Slowly, Harry considered that before shrugging. "Not really the same, but I suppose that might... work? I don't really know." Then he shook his head. "Anyways, with Mount Suribachi taken, they're now focusing on the rest of the island and trying to kill the Princess."

Only shaking his head, Neville placed the newspaper back down and began to eat his own breakfast. "So, um... what are we doing today?"

Munching on some toast, Hermione swallowed before wiping her mouth and leaning forward. "Well, later tonight I'm going to get Moste Portente Potions from the library or at least copy down what I need. Then Harry will send off a list of ingredients that I'll have problems getting to see if Miss Haru can get them for us. But... for the rest of the day we're going to make a quick stop at the kitchens."

That caused Ron to blink and look at her. "Why?"

With a look around, Hermione shook her head and frowned. "Because, if we're doing research on the Chamber, then maybe we should look to the past for clues. And I think that I know exactly where to go for that... before you ask, no, I don't mean the library either."

Despite their curiosity, Hermione wouldn't answer their questions and they only shrugged at each other before turning back to their meals. Roughly two hours later, Harry and the others were tramping along the Hogwarts grounds as they followed Hermione before the green eyed wizard coughed. "Hermione? Where exactly are we going?"

Looking over her shoulder, the brown haired shipgirl smiled. "We're almost there, it's actually right over this hill."

Eyebrows raising, they followed Hermione over the hilltop and came to a stop. In front of them was what looked like a hollow that contained small ponds with a raised portion in the middle which contained stone ruins. Frowning, Ron scratched his head. "Uh... okay? So what's the big deal?"

Neville meanwhile narrowed his eyes and then tilted his head. "Um, Hermione? That's a bog down there."

Slowly, Hermione nodded as she sat against a rock. "Ron, it is a big deal and, yes Neville, it's a bog. But it's pretty important in regards to the history of Hogwarts."

Interested somewhat, Harry also sat on a stone as he tried to ignore the cold wind whistling past his head. "How so? I mean, there's plenty of old ruins and stuff around Hogwarts to begin with, so what makes this place so important?"

For several moments, Hermione was silent before she let out a sigh. "Because it has a direct connection to Salazar Slytherin." That caught the others attention and they all listened more carefully. "Remember what Professor Binns told us about how Slytherin and the other Founders had problems?"

A frown on his face, Ron shrugged. "Well, yeah? Like I said, it's not unknown that he started all that Pureblood nonsense."

Shaking her head, Hermione pointed out at the ruins. "The Chamber of Secrets was not the only thing he built. Apparently while Hogwarts was under construction, each of the Founders had their own buildings. The others built theirs out of wood, but Salazar had his constructed out of stone. It sat here, on the island in the bog. After he left Hogwarts, apparently his followers used it as a meeting spot... until about sixty years after he was gone."

Now really intrigued, Harry leaned forward. "So what happened? Because considering how it looks..."

Hermione drummed her fingers against the stone under them before answering. "Well... they apparently tried to attack Hogwarts. A hundred wizards and witches, all wanting to impliment Salazar's dream. It's said that his grandson was involved, having left behind the rest of his family. But the Founders, along with their students, drove them off and back here. At the time, this was wooded, like with the Forbidden Forest and filled with dark creatures."

Looking around, Neville frowned as he narrowed his eyes as there was not much except bare granite and grasses with the odd shrub. "They destroyed the forest, didn't they? That's why there's nothing here?"

Shivers went up Harry's back as he realize that it was not just cold temperatures that he felt but something else. "What the heck did they use here?"

Only shaking her head, Hermione frowned. "No one really knows, Harry. What spells they did use were never recorded but it pretty much killed everything here and it's still recovering. What is known though was that Salazar's followers did not give any quarter nor asked for any. They fought to the very last here in this area, inside Salazar's Fort... None of them ran. And then, when they were dead, the Founders' forces didn't bother burying the bodies, but instead tossed them into the bog."

Almost as one, Harry and the others turned their attention to the bog itself and shivered. Ron himself rubbing his arms. "Okay... that's just nasty."

It was then that he noticed there was an oppressive atmosphere over the whole place. While the others couldn't quite place it, Harry could as it felt sort of like the darkness that covered the Twins' island. Frowning, he decided to use the trick that Haru taught him to see into the spiritual side of things and shuddered.

Mainly because there was an atmosphere of hate and darkness that covered the area. Tendrils, almost like a black mist rose from the fog and into the air before disappating into nothing. Quickly shutting it off, Harry shook his head to clear it before turning to Hermione. "So, um... why are we here? I mean, obviously it's been destroyed so..."

Raising an eyebrow, Hermione turned to him and snorted. "We're going to head to that island over there and then search it for any clues. There might be something there that might let us have an idea about it. After all, if anyone had an idea about the Chamber of Secrets, it would be those who actually followed Slytherin."

Slowly turning back to the island, Neville gulped a bit. "I was afraid that you were going to say that..." With one final look at each other, the group made their way down the slope to where there was still a land bridge to the island. Here and there stones that once made up the surface of a road could be seen as they walked along it towards the ruins.

None of them noticing the odd ripples in what visible water there was in the bog that seemed to follow them as they walked.

 

[darthcourt10]

Harry Leferts

Walking between two piles of stone, Harry frowned as he looked around. "So, um... what exactly are we looking for?"

Hermione glanced over her shoulder and blinked. "Anything that looks like it might be connected with Slytherin I think. Could be just about anything really..." She then spotted Neville close to the edge of the bog. "Careful there, Neville. You don't want to fall in, especially as apparently a number of students have died in that bog."

Just blinking, Neville turned to look at her. "Really? How?"

All the shipgirl did was shrug some. "They fell in and slipped under the surface. From what I read in the book their bodies were never recovered and eventually future Headmasters discouraged students from coming here."

Eyes wide, Neville turned away from the bog and didn't notice the brown, leathery hand slowly reach out of the water for his ankle. Harry suddenly whipped around and frowned as Neville began to walk towards him. "Something wrong, mate?"

Narrowing his own eyes, Harry stared at the bog before shaking his head. "Probably nothing, just thought that I felt something just then." Waiting until Neville had reached him, Harry continued staring at the bog before turning. As they went to enter the ruined building, Harry paused as he looked up at the massive stone snake head above what had been the front door. It exuded a sort of menance from where it sat, maw wide open to show fangs of various sizes in it. With it's horns, it looked rather like a dragon even though something told Harry that it wasn't. "Hey, Hermione? Any idea what that is?"

With a blink, Hermione turned and frowned as she looked. "I'm... not sure. Maybe some sort of dragon? Maybe a lindorn as they were common back in the British Isles at that time in history before going extinct and they were considered serpents." Then she pointed at a spot nearby. "There's a statue of what looks like a Runespoor right there."

Harry turned and nodded as, sure enough, there was a statue of said three headed snake and across from it was another. Almost as if they were guarding the place against intruders. Muttering, Harry shook his head slowly. "Of course there would be snakes everywhere..."

Slowly, the four of them made their way through the ruins. Most of what they encountered was just more of the same. Here and there, crumbling statues of various snakes and serpents. Though there was a cockatrice statue as well as one of Medusa which made the boys blush due to how it looked. All Hermione did though was roll her eyes while muttering. "Freaking perverts..."

Eventually though, they reached the center of the building and all of them stared at the last statue with was of Salazar with a Runespoor upon his shoulder. His mouth was partially open and Harry tilted his head a bit. "It almost looks like he's trying to talk to us, isn't it?"

Only nodding as she walked around it, Hermione frowned in deep thought. "I suppose that it does seem that way... But this is the only place left to search so..."

They all began searching around for the next few minutes. After some time though, Harry just sat under the statue. Looking up at the slate grey sky though, he blinked as he saw a speck of white against the clouds. "Hedwig?"

Several moments later, said owl landed with a box held in her talons. Then the box opened to reveal Shiromizu who glared at Harry. "{T-there you are! Do y-you have an-any idea what I've gone th-through to find you!?}"

Reaching over, Harry gently grasped her with a scowl on his face, not noticing a shadow pause as he did so or stiffen when he hissed back at her. "{Dammit, Shiromizu, you know it's too cold out here for you!}" Quickly, he pulled open his shirt and then dropped her inside. "{Better?}"

With a soft hiss, Shiromizu nodded. "{Much.}"

From where he stood, Ron raised an eyebrow. "Uh, mate? What the heck is Shiromizu doing here?"

Listening to her hisses, Harry rolled his eyes some. "Apparently she was worried when she couldn't find me and convinced Hedwig to bring her to me." Gently rubbing the top of her head, he sighed some. "{I can take care of myself you know.}"

All Shiromizu did was hiss back at him. "{Sure you can, Harry. But I am still going to look out for you.}" Unknown to him, she continued her internal thoughts. 'Especially with the bad feeling that I had...' It was then that Shiromizu looked around and tilted her head thoughtfully. "{So why are we here?}"

Simply rolling his eyes, Harry looked around not noticing the shadows move away, nor hearing the distant splashes of the bog. "{We were trying to find out more about the Chamber of Secrets. But all we got was a lot of nothing and seeing snake pictures.}" After a moment, he paused and then looked down at her. "{You can't smell anyone, can you?}"

Giving him a look, Shiromizu's tongue flicked out several times. "{Can't smell anyone but us... though there is some old leather somewhere nearby I think? Or at least that's what it smells like.}"

Neville frowned some as he looked down at her. "Did she say something?"

As he shrugged, Harry looked around. "Just that we're the only ones who have been here recently enough for her to smell. Also that she smells old leather somewhere nearby."

Raising her eyebrow, Hermione looked around herself. "You think that someone was here recently? Such as whoever opened the Chamber?"

After a few moments, the black haired wizard shook his head. "I don't know, call it a gut feeling." Getting up, he frowned as he gave the room another look over from where he stood. "Guess there's nothing here."

If she could have, Shiromizu would have rolled her eyes. "{What? Did you expect it to be easy, Harry? If it was that easy, then all you would need to do is hiss 'Open' and something-}" Everyone froze as there was a click and they turned to see the Celtic knot at the bottom of Salazar's statue move as the snakes that composed it slithered out of the way and then a seam appeared. Moments later, the seam pushed out to reveal two objects there which Harry and the others blinked at before looking at each other. Then they looked at Shiromizu who seemed taken aback. "{Um... didn't expect that...}"

The only response she got was yet more stares.
____________________________________________________________________

Behind his desk, Dumbledore leaned back some in thought as he looked at the four students as well as one owl and one snake. "Allow me to understand this... you went to Salazar's Fort to examine it to see if one could find clues as to the Chamber? And while there, due to Miss Shiromizu you found... this?"

He gestured at the two long dagger-like blades on his desk. Both were thin bladed and curved back, almost like fangs with the hilts composed of bone and decorated with snakes. Slowly, Harry nodded as he rubbed the back of his head. "Um, yes? I mean, they were at the bottom of the statue, so..."

Dumbledore continued to stare at them before humming in thought. "I see." He was silent for several moments. "As much as I applaud your curiosity, I am rather unhappy that you visited the fort." At their looks, Dumbledore held up his hand. "The ediface is crumbling and the bog it sits in is rather dangerous. One of the previous Headmasters forbid students from going there due to how many deaths there had been. I am not surprised that the rule has been forgotten though and I shall have to do something I suppose..."

Blushing, Hermione shook her head. "Sorry, Headmaster, it's just..."

What she did not expect was for Dumbledore to suddenly chuckle and smile. "You were curious as many of your age are. And you would not be the first to go to Salazar's Fort looking for clues as to the Chamber... But I never expected for you to find Salazar's old blades there either."

Eyes widening, Harry stared down at the two blades. "Wait, those belonged to Slytherin? Seriously?"

Chuckling, Dumbledore nodded with a twinkle in his eye. "They did indeed, Harry. They did indeed, hence why their discovery is cause of celebration. If you want, I can tell you more about them...?" At their nods, he smiled as he gestured at the chairs. Once they were sat, Dumbledore took a deep breath. "The weapons themselves are known as seax and are a form of knife. Salazar's in particular were crafted supposidly by an ancient half goblin smith. He was jealous you see of Godric's sword and wished for a weapon of his own that could match it."

Now frowning, Harry leaned forward as did the others. "Really?

Slowly, Dumbledore nodded. "That is the legend, anyways. The goblins deny it, of course. But according to the rest, Salazar dipped his blades in the collected venom of dozens of different poisonous snakes. Even the blood of the legendary lindorns... Which made them very deadly indeed. But he never did get to cross blades with Godric, I'm afraid, so their power was never tested. Still, this is truly a discovery." For a moment, he paused and then looked over at Harry. "Much as I would like think otherwise, perhaps though it would be best not to credit you quite yet for their rediscovery."

More then a little bit confused, and angered on part of his friend, Ron stood up. "Why, Headmaster? Why shouldn't Harry get any credit."

All Dumbledore did though was hold out his hand and gesture for him to sit down. "I mean nothing by it, Mister Weasley. Any other time, I would give Mister Potter full credit for this. But with the Chamber combined with him being a parselmouth..."

It was Hermione who put it all together followed by Harry, the brown haired witch speaking up. "If it was to come forward, then people would have their proof that Harry was Slytherin's heir. And that can only cause trouble..."

Dumbledore slowly nodded with a sigh. "Quite. And I am unsure about announcing it quite yet. After all, we also need to be wary of whoever opened the Chamber. If they were to know that we had Salazar's relics, then it may cause them to... up the ante, as I believe it is called. Not something that I currently wish." That only got him nods from the others before they blinked as he continued. "That said... twenty points each to Gryffindor for the rediscovery of a piece of Hogwarts history."

 

[darthcourt10]

Harry Leferts

Standing before Admiral William's door, Gale frowned a bit before glancing to the side where Kirishima was and then she looked to her other side. At that, Wash gave her a small smile and a comforting squeeze to the shoulder. "We're here, Sarah."

Also reaching over, Kirishima gave her shoulder a squeeze and nodded. "Hai, what Wash-Chan said, Gale-Chan. We'll be right here beside you."

Just nodding, Gale knocked on the door before Williams' voice told her to come in. Several steps inside, she stopped as she noticed that Williams was not alone in his office as Texas and Constitution were both there. Quickly, both Gale and Wash snapped to salutes to both Constitution, who was considered second only to SecNav by shipgirls, and Williams. "Sir! Ma'am!"

There was an amused look on Constitution's face as she nodded and waved a hand. "At ease, you two." She then turned her gaze onto the Japanese Battleship. "Miss Kirishima, while it is a surprise to see you here I am thankful as you are involved in this matter."

Making her way over, Gale slowly sat down and gulped. "So something happened with those two? The wizards?"

On Texas' face there was a scowl before she nodded. "You could say such, yes. But I think that all of you might want to sit down first." After they had, the old Battleship leaned back and let out an explosive sigh. "Their trial is complete and they were found guilty on all counts. Trust me when I say that bunch is never going to bother you again."

Eyes shooting up, Gale stared at her before relaxing in her seat. "Thank God..." Her eyebrows then furrowed some in confusion. "That was rather quick though."

Softly snorting, Constitution shook her head. "Things are done a bit differently in the Magical World, Miss Gale. Especially as they were caught right there red handed. As an aside... they didn't even bother to deny what they were doing there in the first place which did not help them. " Grimacing, Constitution took a deep breath. "Granted... perhaps it would have been better if they turned them over to us for trial, but they didn't and there's nothing to be helped."

Confused, Gale looked between the two as she felt a sinking feeling. "Don't tell me that the punishment they got was light."

Much to her surprise, she got a cold laugh from both shipgirls before Constitution shook her head. "Light? No, far from it." Rubbing her brow, she sighed a bit before adjusting her coat. "MACUSA's government was... unhappy, to say the least. While part of it is them interferring with the Abyssal War, a bigger part was I suspect the breach in the SoS this was. As sad as it may be, I suspect a large amount of why they did what they were is due to the USN telling them that if we did not think that it was enough, that we would then step in."

Looking between the two of them, Kirishima adjusted her glasses. "So what did they do then?"

Eyes closed, Texas hummed a bit before she opened her eyes. "One needs to understand how MACUSA handles criminals. There's three prisons for magicals in the entire US. One is a minimum security one in the woods of the Pine Barrens. The Medium Security one is in Death Valley and is mostly built underground. But the third... The Maximum Security prison is one that MACUSA runs jointly with the Canadian government for the worst of our prisoners."

A hard look in her eyes, Constitution took a deep breath. "Said prison is located in the middle of the Gulf of St. Lawrance on the Iles de Demons."

It took a moment but Gale frowned as her eyebrows furrowed. Then her eyes widened and she raised one eyebrow. "Wait, Island of Demons?"

Only nodding, Texas shifted some as she glanced at Constitution. "It was there that your attackers were sent. Being where it is, it gets lashed by storms and anyone trying to swim to land will die long before they reach it. But it's not the elements one needs to worry about... The forest on the island is filled with evil spirits and dark creatures galore with the prison itself being the only safe spot on the island along with one road in and out."

Leaning back, Gale stared at the wall with a blank expression on her face. After almost a minute of silence, she ran a hand through her hair. "I'm not sure how to feel about that... Sure, I wanted them punished, but..."

With a shake of her head, Constitution frowned. "They won't suffer, this place isn't Azkaban after all. But it won't be pleasant for them and they won't be getting out for twenty years. MACUSA did it more to send a message that they won't tolerate that sort of stunt and anyone who tries can look forward to the same sort of sentence." Unknown to Gale, Constitution did not add the rest though she had already told Williams and SecNav. 'Though they will still be nervous wrecks by the time they do get out...'

Gale only nodded at that before sighing. "All I wanted was them to be punished and to be sure that this sort of thing won't happen again. I guess that I have that now."

Slowly tilting her head, there was a thin smile on Constitution's face. "Oh, trust me, after that I very much doubt that anyone will be bothering you for a long time, if ever again..."
______________________________________________________________

Flashlight in one hand going from one side of the hallway to the other, Natsumi raised an eyebrow at Shiromizu. "So Harry-Chan and the others found some sort of knives when exploring some old ruins?"

Beside her, Shiromizu nodded as she slithered along the floor with a flashlight of her own in her hands. "Poisoned knives belonging to a founder of his school, yes. From what I was told, Harry was looking to find information about the Chamber of Secrets." A shiver ran down her back. "The whole place gave me the willies though."

Only humming, Natsumi frowned as she continued to look around. Every so often her ears twitched at the various nighttime sounds of the school building. "No doubt, especially if what you told me about the place is true."

The two of them slipped into silence at that before Shiromizu turned towards Natsumi and coughed. "Speaking of... what exactly are we doing here?"

Rolling her eyes, Natsumi sighed before giving Shiromizu a look. "You know how Oba-Chan stated that she's going to be sending us out on missions, right? Stuff like exploring the old tunnels and stuff..."

A frown on her face, Shiromizu simply gave Natsumi a level stare. "Okay...? And what does that have to do with us being in yours and Harry's old elementary school?"

Natsumi just continued to look around in interest. Part of her was comparing it to when both her and Harry went to the school. The other was more concerned with how it was the middle of the night. "I overheard some of the girls who go here now talking about how a Hanako is haunting one of the toilets here now."

Considering that, Shiromizu frowned a bit and then tilted her head to the side. "As in the urban legend? That's an actual thing?"

Now staring at her, Natsumi blinked. "Yes..." She then pointed at her fox ears, then her tail, and then at Shiromizu's own lower body. "Yokai exist after all."

There was a tinge of redness in Shiromizu's cheeks as she huffed a bit. "I know that yokai exist, Natsumi-San. But what I am talking about is Toire no Hanako-San. She's an actual yokai?"

In reply, Natsumi looked up to see that they were close to the girl's washroom and nodded. "Not an actual yokai, but a race of them. They're one of the modern yokai that have sprung up over the years." She then paused by the washroom and took a deep breath and placed her hand on her chest. "Some of them can be dangerous though for normal humans, others less so... And since I am a Miko-"

She was cut off by Shiromizu who raised a finger. "A Miko-in-Training."

Glaring at her, Natsumi let out a soft hiss. "A Miko, it is my duty to help protect people from the supernatural! And I am a kitsune besides."

Rather amused, Shiromizu hummed a bit before her gaze drifted down to the knife that Harry had given Natsumi, now secured around Natsumi's waist where it could be easily drawn. "Yes, right." She then paused and looked around. "Is there any chance of us showing up on cameras? I mean..."

Only snorting, the kitsune shook her head. "No, all the real cameras are outside and at the entrances. I have done my research you know. Besides... I threw up a small bit of an illusion around us to hide our non-human features. All anyone will see is you with legs and myself without a tail or ears."

Pausing, Shiromizu looked down at herself in deep thought as she followed Natsumi into the washroom.

 

[darthcourt10]

Harry Leferts

"What do you think? Would they be the sort to go on forever?"

Coming to a stop, Natsumi blinked and then turned around. "Say what now?"

Only raising an eyebrow, Shiromizu gestured at herself. "My legs? Would they be the long sort that get described as going on forever? Would they be muscular? Or would they be slender?"

For several moments, the kitsune stared at her before becoming rather elequent. "What."

Rolling her eyes, Shiromizu sighed and placed her hands on her hips. "You said that you cast an illusion which gave me legs, right? What sort of legs? Because that is honestly bothering me."

In reply, Natsumi put her face in her hands. "You're bothering me about that, seriously? Who cares!"

Shiromizu huffed a bit and crossed her arms against her chest. "As a matter of fact? I care."

With a suffering sigh, the brown haired girl pinched her nose. "What does it even matter, you don't got legs to begin with."

Frowning, the snake woman shook a finger at her. "Hey now, that's no fair. Just because I'm limb impaired does not mean that I wouldn't like to know what it's like." She then waved her hand around. "I mean, if I was to cast an illusion to make you look older and with a chest, I'm sure that you would want to know what you looked like."

Eyebrow twitching, Natsumi hissed a bit. "What was that?"

All Shiromizu did was point at her with an amused look. "I mean, sure, pettan is okay and some people do it well. Like Ryuujou-Sensei! But, well... one has to wonder in your case considering Harry and all those around him."

Slapping herself in the face, Natsumi took a few calming breaths. "Kitsune do not have big... huge... lumps of fat like they do in games and manga! We're naturally slender! I mean, look at Oba-Chan! She's nothing like those kitsune in her human form!"

Back at the base, Haru sneezed and then blinked as she rubbed her nose. "... Is someone talking about me? Because I can't help but feel insulted..." After a few moments, she shrugged it off and turned back to her game of Touken Ranbu. "Screw that, I need to grind some more for the new event... Especially if what I've heard is true!"

Meanwhile, Shiromizu hummed a bit and looked down at the fuming kitsune. "Huh... And here I was thinking that you were giving me jealous looks at times."

Just blinking, Natsumi's expression became one of utter confusion before she turned back to Shiromizu. "Wait, what? Why would I be jealous of you?"

Slowly, the snake woman raised an eyebrow and made a moved her arms under her chest. "Well, I'm only two years or so older then you, and a reptile and yet..."

It took Natsumi a moment to figure out what she meant and then pointed one finger at her partner. "Ero-Hebi!" Spinning, she growled a bit. "Anyways, enough of this... let's do our examination and get it over with!"

Frowning, Shiromizu had a small smirk on her face as she scratched her cheek. "What about my legs then?"

The only response she got was for the kitsune to throw her hands into the air. "Fuck your legs! No one cares!"

Unseen by Natsumi, Shiromizu was barely holding back laughter. "Oh my, and you call me lewd."

Stiffening, for several moments the Miko in training stood there before she let it out. "Shut up." Looking around, she raised an eyebrow as she spotted something. "Huh... The third stall is out of order." Slowly, Natsumi began to tick off on one hand. "Let's see... an elementary school, third floor girl's washroom, and third stall is out of order. Pretty much all matches."

Now frowning, Shiromizu looked around in confusion. "So... um... what next? I mean, is there anything else?"

Finger tapping her chin, Natsumi stared at the door and bent over before looked inside from beneath. "Empty. Which means..." She then gestured to the door. "Stay just outside the door, if you hear anything, come straight in."

Concerned, Shiromizu looked at her friend with her eyebrows furrowing. "You sure? I can stay right here..."

However, Natsumi shook her head. "No, I'll be fine. Just be ready to move."

Only nodding slowly, Shiromizu made her way back to the door. "If you're sure..."

It was only once she was outside that the mask on Natsumi's face slipped and was replaced by fear. Looking first in one direction and then the other, she gulped before closing her eyes and began to mutter to herself. "Calm yourself, Natsumi. You're a kitsune and a Miko! You got nothing to be afraid of. And certainly not a ghost story..." Then, slowly, she raised her closed fist to the door and held it in place as it shook. After a few seconds, she brought it down in three knocks. "Hello?"

Just outside, every muscle in Shiromizu's body was tense and she was coiled, ready to spring through the door. However, a confused Natsumi then poked her head out which made the snake woman relax, but then raise her eyebrow. "Is something wrong?"

Frowning, Natsumi gestured for her to follow. Doing so, Shiromizu only raised an eyebrow at the empty stall. "There was no one in there... But mind giving me a boost to the ceiling?"

Rather bemused, Shiromizu pointed up at the ceiling. "You want me to boost you towards the ceiling? Really?" At Natsumi's nod, the snake woman only shook her head and shrugged. "Sure, I guess."

With a huff, she grasped Natsumi around the ankles and then lifted her towards the ceiling. Bending down slightly, the kitsune removed one of the tiles and poked her head up into the small space there and blinked. "I was right..."

Looking up, Shiromizu frowned some. "Right? About what?"

Simply reaching into the space, Natsumi brought out a handheld radio which was on. "I heard someone say 'I am here' and opened the door to find no one here. But it sounded like it was coming from the ceiling above, so..."

Now sighing, Shiromizu gave her a disbelieving look. "You mean this, all of this... was someone's prank? That a bunch of students got scared because someone was pulling a prank on them?"

Her expression one of annoyance, Natsumi nodded. "Yes, and when I get my hands on them considering how scared those girls were... They'll see what an annoyed kitsune can do." It was then that Natsumi noticed the expression on Shiromizu's face. "What?"

Tilting her head to the side, Shiromizu hummed. "Pink and white striped underwear? I mean, I could understand blue and white due to the trope and everything, but... Well, they don't really suit you."

Only sputtering, Natsumi flushed deeply before grabbing her skirt closed. "Oba-Chan got them as a joke, but she forgot to do the laundry the other day! They were all that I had left and... What the heck are you even looking up my skirt for!?"

Much to her annoyance, Shiromizu only shrugged. "Kind of hard not to see them really what with you up there and everything." Then her head tilted to the side. "Though I bet that you wish that Harry was in my place, don't you?" When Natsumi didn't respond, Shiromizu grinned. "You were just imagining Harry in my position and looking up your skirt, weren't you?"

If Natsumi's face was red before, it was now well past that. "Y-you... You Ero-Hebi!"

Bringing her tail up before her mouth, Shiromizu snapped the fan that was held in it open. "Fufufuffu. But I am not the one imagining such things of innocent and pure Harry-Chan..."

All she got for that was yet more sputters and yells.
____________________________________________________________________

Locking the door behind her, Natsumi scratched her head with an explosive sigh. "Well, that was something of a bust. All that build up for nothing at all."

Behind her, Shiromizu grimaced as she rubbed her head. "Did you really need to kick me in the head?"

An innocent look on her face, Natsumi tilted her head to the side. "I said that I was sorry, it's just that I saw a cockroach in the crawlspace and freaked a bit." There was an expression on Shiromizu's face which told exacly what she thought of that. Ignoring that, Natsumi placed her hands behind her head and looked up at the Moon above them. "Well... I guess that it was still some experience."

Shivering a bit, Shiromizu shook her head. "If you say so. Now, I just want to get him before I freeze out here. Might not be the mountains, but it's still not the warmest." Moments later, she blinked as Natsumi tossed her the jacket that she was wearing. "Natsumi-San?"

In reply, Natsumi rolled her eyes before turning to her. "Your a friend and a partner, which means that I should make sure that you're good, right?" With a sigh, she began to shake her head. "Let's just head home and I'll make some tea. I think that I got some mochi as well."

Following along with her, and enjoying being out and about in her more human form, Shiromizu looked around the deserted school grounds. Eventually, she cleared her throat. "So... Haru-San mentioned that your Onii-San was having trouble with something?"

With a blink, Natsumi turned to her and frowned. "Taichi? Yeah... you could say that?" Scratching her chin, she hummed a bit. "He was exploring one of those old, abandoned towns with a school when he came across some tsukumogami. There was a Biwa, two Shamisen, and a Koto. Don't know how, but they somehow managed to convince him to help them play for crowds again."

Interested, Shiromizu frowned some. "How is that going then?"

Sighing, Natsumi shook her head. "Not so well." Then she grimaced a bit. "Don't get me wrong, Onii-Chan's done great work with them as their 'Manager'. Gotten a few gigs here and there since they have human forms... But nothing really noteworthy. He's trying to mix more modern music with them, and some of the older yokai like the original tunes, but... People don't pay much attention to it."

All Shiromizu did was frown at that. "That's something of a shame. My Onee-Sama can play the Biwa pretty well and I liked some of her songs. Anything that can be done?"

Much to Shiromizu's surprise, Natsumi came to a stop and then leaned foward. "Actually... once Naka-San comes back from her current mission, she's willing to meet with them when I asked her since she wants to expand away from shipgirls for music and get some groups under her label. Harder-San said she might show up as well since she's helped Naka with underwater concerts done by Submarines and stuff. And Onii-San is a pretty huge fan of Naka-San, so..."

Crossing her arms, Shiromizu smirked a bit. "Huh. Does he know about that?"

Natsumi just grinned in reply before answering. "Not at all, I can't wait to see his face as Naka-San stated she would have one of her fairies take a picture. But she already liked some of the music I forwarded her, so..."

Extremely amused, Shiromizu chuckled. "That will be hilarious. Make sure that I get a picture too, okay?" At Natsumi's nod, the two resumed their walk only for the kitsune to stop and stare at something. "Uh, what are you looking at?"

Her eyebrows furrowing, Natsumi pointed at the window. "There's lights on in the library."

For several moments, nothing was said as Shiromizu came up beside her and then narrowed her eyes. "Those radios like in the washroom, they only have a short range, right?"

Slowly, the two turned toward each other and began to grin as they also noticed one of the windows slightly ajar.

Inside the library in front of a computer, a little girl in a school uniform with a red skirt. Beside her, there was a walkie talkie as she clicked on another site. "The internet is amazing..." Glancing at the radio, she sighed a bit and smiled. "And with this, I don't need to worry about anything bigger then me coming to my stall! All the while I am safe and sound in here."

Unseen by her, behind her both Natsumi and Shiromizu rose up and silently looked down at the small yokai. Blinking, Shiromizu pointed at her at which Natsumi shrugged with a confused expression on her face. Sadly for them, it was then that Hanako noticed their reflections in the computer screen and froze. The sight of the fox ears on Natsumi's head and Shiromizu's red eyes caused her eyes to widen. Coughing, Natsumi gave her a raised eyebrow. "So..."

Before she could get much further though, a scream ripped it's way out of Hanako's mouth. "KYAAAAAAA! HIGH LEVEL YOKAI IN MY HOME!"

And then she dove under the desk and huddled in place as both Natsumi and Shiromizu stared. Eventually, Shiromizu blinked and pointed at her. "Um..."

Then Natsumi did the only thing that she could in such a situation.... Facepalm.

 

[darthcourt10]

Harry Leferts

Almost a full minute passed as both Shiromizu and Natsumi stood there in utter silence. Eventually, Shiromizu pointed at the shaking desk with one finger. "Um... did that actually happen?"

With a sigh, Natsumi slowly nodded before separating the two lovers that were her hand and her face from each other. "Yes, it did." Crouching down, she took in the curled up form of the Hanako who seemed to be trying to make herself disappear. "So... you're the Hanako who has been causing trouble in this school, huh?"

Shaking her head extremely rapidly, the Hanako had a frightened look as she looked from Natsumi to Shiromizu. "O-of course not! I wouldn't cause any trouble!"

Only raising an eyebrow, Natsumi tilted her head to the side. "Uh-huh. And the whole thing about scaring elementary school female students? You don't think that's causing trouble?"

For a moment, Hanako froze in place before shaking her head. "N-no! I have to as it's my duty as a Hanako!"

That caused Shiromizu to bend down with an interested expression on her face. "Your duty?"

Quickly nodding, Hanako swallowed. "Yes! Hanakos are a test of courage for children! Sure, some out there might take it too far, but that's all we are! And I would never harm a student! Pleasedon'tbreakmeinhalforeatme!"

It took a few moments for both Natsumi and Shiromizu to understand the last sentence. Slowly blinking, Natsumi gave her a look. "We're not going to hurt you unless you're a threat. And as for eating you... I'm not that sort of Yokai."

Behind her, Shiromizu nodded some before shrugging. "Besides, you're way too bony."

Looking over her shoulder, Natsumi gave her a friend a look. "Not. Helping." Only getting a shrug, she turned back to Hanako. "Anyways, I heard a rumor of a Hanako scaring girls here and had to investigate. Because not only am I a Kitsune, I am also a Miko who-"

Helpfully, Shiromizu raised a finger and smiled. "Miko in training, actually. You got some ways to go before becoming an actual Miko."

As her eyebrow twitched, Natsumi took a deep breath. "As a Miko who is at the local shrine, it is my duty to help protect against hostile yokai and spirits. And since not all Hanako are benevolent..."

Wincing, Hanako nodded some. "Um, I guess that some Hanako take things too far... So maybe it makes sense to check? But, uh, I'm not a danger! And I was invited here!"

Eyebrows raising in surprise, Natsumi shared a look with Shiromizu before turning back to Hanako. "You were invited here? To this school?" When Hanako nodded, Natsumi frowned as she became deep in thought. "But who invited you here?"

Now biting her lip, Hanako shifted a little bit. "Her name is Tenryuu-San... And she's a shipgirl?"

Freezing, Natsumi stared at her before Shiromizu blinked in confusion. "Wait, Tenryuu-San invited you here? To this school? When and how?" Then she shook her head and extended a hand out. "Right, before we go any further, I am Shiromizu."

With a glance at Shiromizu, and getting a nod, Natsumi let out a breath. "And I am Ono Natsumi." Not noticing the interested looks that Shiromizu was giving her, Natsumi moved back some. "How about you come out a bit? We're not going to hurt you unless you are hostile, I promise upon my tail."

Eyes widening a bit, Hanako slowly crawled out from beneath the desk. The whole time, she kept one eye on the nearby book shelves. Something that Natsumi and Shiromizu noted though they did not do much more then that. "I'm Hanako, just Hanako."

Gesturing at the seat, Natsumi nodded. "It's nice to meet you, Hanako-San. Now perhaps we can clear this whole thing up? After all, I am interested in how you know Tenryuu-San in the first place."

Still keeping one eye on the shelves in case she needed to run for it, Hanako sat down. "Well... I met her up near Fukushima in an old school there..." Pausing, she twiddled her fingers a bit. "I-I'm sure that you understand some of the problems, especially as the school had been replaced by a new one..."

Only nodding, Shiromizu nodded some with a frown on her face. "Because of the earthquake and tsunami, right? What were you even doing in an abandoned school in the first place though?"

Looking down, Hanako sighed. "I... my old school was destroyed by the tsunami and I barely escaped with my life..." For a moment, Hanako was reliving that moment as she watched the massive wall of debris filled water heading for her school. The students having evacuated for higher ground while she was left behind.

And then the windows shattered as she ran for the higher stories of the school, the wave smashing into her and knocking her from her feet as it tore through the school. Thankfully, she managed to grab a fire hose and wrap it around her arm for long enough that she could swim for the nearby stairs. Every second, the cold, Pacific water, choked with mud and debris tried to tear her away to her death before she could reach safety.

Not to mention the sight of a Nure Onna being swept past, a chunk of rebar impaled through her chest as Hanako climbed out of the water and onto the stairs. Running upwards toward safety as the waters continued to rise behind her...

Then Hanako snapped herself out even as she shivered, only to blink as Shiromizu placed a coat on her shoulders. "There, there. Your safe now."

Slowly nodding, Hanako looked down at the floor. "Y-yeah, I guess that I am. But it was so scary at the time and... nearly dying stays with you, you know?" At their nods, she swallowed. "W-well, anyways, with my old school destroyed, I just barely managed to find a nearby one close enough to stay in. But it was abandoned and the new school was too far away for me to make it to. Especially with how there was a large number of displaced yokai in the area and... I'm a Hanako, compared to most I am so very small and weak. Then a few weeks ago, Tenryuu-San, Tatsuta-San, as well as Tenryuu-San's daughters were staying in my school."

As it came together in her head, Natsumi nodded. "And Tenryuu-San discovered you in the washroom?"

Only giving the barest of nods, Hanako sniffled a bit. "H-Hai. She found me when she was using my washroom that I was in at the time. I was so scared, because sh-she's a shipgirl. A kami and here I was, just a small yokai." Then her expression brightened some. "But then, Tenryuu-San offered me some of her hot chocolate! And we got to talking and she asked me all sorts of questions about Hanakos like I am as well as myself. I sort of was wondering why and asked her and then she offered me a place here. Because I really like reading in libraries you know and... she wanted me to keep a watch out."

Perking up, Shiromizu began to chuckle much to the confusion of Natsumi and Hanako. "I see now, she asked you to come here to make sure that more... hostile... yokai don't threaten the students. Right?"

With a blink, Hanako nodded. "That's right. I get a nice, clean school with a lot of students and a library to read from... And protection from more nasty yokai. All I have to do is just keep an eye out and warn Tenryuu-San if something happened and she would let others know like someone named Haru." To Hanako's confusion, Natsumi's eyebrow began to twitch as she muttered about old, senile vixens. "Um, is something wrong?"

Softly snickering, Shiromizu shook her head. "No, nothing is wrong, Hanako-San. Natsumi-San here just realized something."

Calming down, Natsumi then frowned as she pointed at the radio. "But if you're haunting the stall on the third floor... why are you using a radio to do it?"

Much to their amusement, Hanako flushed and played with her skirt. "Well... There's so many shipgirls around, and I heard there was an Abyssal Princess here too as well as other Abyssals who showed up. I placed the radio there just in case one of them came by so I wouldn't need to be in my stall. Meanwhile, I'm in here and can hear someone coming through the doors so I can hide." Confusion then crossed her face as she looked between them. "But I don't know how you got in here without me hearing the door..."

Now it was Natsumi's turn to look embarrassed as she pointed off to the side. "One of the windows was left open. It's too small for a human, but..." To make her point, she transformed into her fox form and then back. "Not so much a problem for us."

All Hanako did was blink at that. "Oh. Um, I guess that I'll need to check on that every night then." Waving her hands in the air, she looked a bit panicked. "Please don't tell Tenryuu-San that I was doing this though! She's really nice and trusts me and I don't want her to be disappointed in me because I'm scared... I'm still keeping an eye out like she asked!"

Natsumi shared a look with Shiromizu and shook her head. "Our lips are sealed. And I don't think that Tenryuu-San would be disappointed in you in the least."

There was silence for a bit before Hanako looked away as she played with her skirt. "So, uh, what happens now?"

Humming, Natsumi only shrugged. "Well... we've discovered what was going on, and you seem to be non-hostile. So... pretty much we leave you alone as long as you don't hurt any of the students here."

Suddenly relaxing, all the tension left Hanako. "Oh... that's good."

Hanako then became confused as Shiromizu chuckled. "Of course, this means that we need to talk with some people. After all, we didn't know anything about this."

Beside her, Natsumi softly growled which made Hanako lean back. "And Oba-Chan is right at the top of that list. Because somehow I just know that she knew this was going to happen."

Meanwhile, back at the base, Haru blinked and looked up from her game. "Hmm... I feel a great amount of amusement." Letting out a barking laugh, she shook her head. "I think that Natsumi-Chan is angry at me for some reason."