Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

Fon knelt next to a grave. His eyes red with fury and pain. Standing next to him were the others. Verde, his Lightning. Colonnello and Lal Mirch, his Rain’s. Reborn, his Sun. Viper, his Mist.

It was the first time they had managed to come. His fingers brushed over the letterings on the tomb stone. Skull De Mort He who was hated by death. There was no date because none of them had ever managed to get the Cloud to tell them when he was born. No death date because how do you even begin to explain it? He had died during the future that wasn’t and when they had all come back, Skull… they had found him dead in his bed. His face contorted in pain.

“Skull…” He paused unsure of what to say. “Reborn’s student found a way to break the curse.” He settled on. “We’ve all re-grown. You missed seeing everyone stumbling around as we grew back up. I think you would have enjoyed the sight.”

“You would have laughed Lackey.” Reborn grunted as he sat down, ignoring the stains that would be on his suit.

“It’s not fair Kora. You should have been there with us.” Colonnello said as he slumped next to the Sun. A look of devastation on his face.  “Verde made a wicked serum to help us age back up. I would have loved seeing you as a kid. Bet you were a cute, chubby cheeked little chibi that could get away with murder and every grandmother would want to dote on.”

“We miss you, Skull.” Lal said as she placed a purple flower on the grave.

“Mu, you always were the best of us idiot.” Viper agreed as they placed another one. Their heart ached, had been aching since Skull had died.

“I am going to find a way to bring you back.” Verde stated as he placed his own flower and sat down.

“Don’t be too angry at us Lackey when we drag your sorry ass out of the grave. You know your board there by yourself. You know you need us to help you cause mischief.” Reborn snorted with a half tilt of his lips.

There was no hesitation. No thought of them not being able to do it. If anyone could revive the dead, it would be them. Nobody was as strong as they were. If they decided on something then it would happen, end of discussion. Anyone who tried to stop them would end up very dead.

“If we can’t bring you back, then we’ll find a way to come to you.” Fon promised with a decisive nod. “We miss you. It’s not the same without you little one.”

“We’ll force time itself to take us to you Kora.” Colonnello snorted with a smile on his face. If it was strained, well no one was going to mention it.

“Time, death, its all the same. They don’t get to take you from us.” Verde agreed and his eyes were alight with his Flames as determination filled him.

They would not be giving up. Skull was theirs and if they had to rearrange time itself to get him back, then time would bend to him.

“Get some rest Lackey.” Reborn said as he stood from his spot. “You won’t be getting much once you come home to us. We still have to settle that prank war you started. You and I were still in the lead, and I won’t be losing to the likes of Colonnello because you wanted to be lazy.”

Fon watched fondly as Colonnello and Reborn argued as they headed to their car. “There like big children.” He murmured as the others dispersed. Leaving him alone at the grave. He was thankful none of them asked him to leave. He wasn’t done talking to Skull.

“You know you were the only one capable of reining them in. Our most beloved Cloud. Our Sky. Yuni still has no clue that we were bonded to you. At one point I might have felt sorry for her, but you are dead and it's her fault. I would kill her, slowly and painfully given the opportunity. You should prepare yourself. When you wake up. We have agreed to each make a plan, and the best plan gets implemented. Reborn will want you to judge it.”

He paused as he pursed his lips together. “I know you may like it where you are. You may not wish to return to us, but…we really do need you. None of us have been the same since we found you. Verde spends more and more time in his labs. Viper has charged for even the slightest thing, such as breathing all of their clean air. Lal and Colonnello have fought more often than not. Reborn, well you know how he gets. He needs you here to help him cause chaos. I haven’t seen him smile an actual smile in so very long. And I… you know I need you.”

He closed his eyes for a moment. “You’re the warmth on our skin. The smile behind our masks. You’re the softness and the tender touch we crave. You were our Sky. Our Cloud. We need you.” He grew silent as he staired at the gravestone, as if looking long enough would warp reality and bring the Cloud back to life.

…One Year later…

It had been a year. A year since they had first visited their Cloud’s grave. A year without him to lean on. A year without his warmth. They were all feeling the separation keenly.

“Verde, Kora. We were going to visit the Lackey. Why did you call us down here?” Colonnello demanded with annoyance.

“I have made a breakthrough. While bringing him back to life might be beyond my capabilities,” He paused because he did not like to admit anything was beyond him. “I have devised a way to send our minds back.” He smirked darkly as he nodded to the two trussed up Skies he had acquired.

Yuni and Byakuran staired almost fearfully as they looked at the deranged scientist. “They have gracefully agreed to help right a wrong they committed.” He stated and enjoyed the wide-eyed look the others were giving him.

“What the fuck are we waiting for Kora? Let’s go get our Lackey! He’s probably causing all sorts of chaos without us!”

Chapter Text

Reborn awoke in a familiar little safe house. A smirk crawled over his face. He remembered this place and if he remembered this place, a place he had not seen for a number of decades, then it must have worked. Now all he had to do was locate the others and find his Cloudy little Sky.

He stood up and headed to the closet. A single suit sat pristinely in it. It was his first suit; one he had purchased and had only just been able to afford it. It had been worth it. After which he headed back to the bed and pried up a loose floorboard. “Just where I left you.” He muttered as he took out a twig.

It had been years since he had cast magic. Magic was useless. Where was the thrill of the kill if all one had to do was cast a spell? He much preferred his gun and getting by on his own merits than relying on something like magic. Still, it would be useful this once to finding the others and finding his beloved little menace.

He was just about to cast a spell when a loud crack echoed in the room and standing in front of him was Fon, dressed in his Triad attire.  “Here I thought you had no use for magic.” Fon stated with a smile getting a snort from the Hitman.

“I never said it didn’t have its uses. I don’t feel like wasting the time to try and figure out where everyone is.” He grunted as a familiar portal opened and out stepped the cloaked form of his Mist.

“Mu, I am charging you for making me come find you.” They grumbled as they folded their arms. Their stance daring him to argue.

“You can charge me double if you find Verde.” Reborn acknowledged and Fon raised a hand to hide his smile behind his sleeve.

“I too would be willing to pay if you bring Colonnello and Lal here as well. It would not do to find our Cloud without all of his elements present.

“Pure-blood?” Viper asked eyeing the stick in the Hitman’s hand.

“Half.” Reborn smirked and Viper grunted.

“I should have guessed you were from a magical enclave.” They groused and Reborn shrugged.

“Magical or in the know?” Fon asked curiously.

“Hedge wizard. Not enough magic for their precious schools but too much to be a proper squib.”

“That does explain some things.” Reborn muttered with an amused look on his face. He half wondered just how many of them had magic or came from a magical background. He wondered if his missing menace was going to be found in the magical district.

“Pure blood by your standards. The Chinese do not usually differentiate by blood. Magic is magic. Not that I use it often. After I finished my schooling, I concentrated on Martial Arts.” Fon said in answer to the demanding look on Vipers half hidden face.

They all turned as the door rattled and in walked the slumped and tired looking form of their Lightning. He eyed the stick in Reborn’s hand with a look of distaste.

“Mu, I was coming to find you.” Viper pouted. They had wanted the money promised to them. Deciding to not lose any more money they took out a map and began scrying. Easily locating the two Rain’s and bringing them in with the use of a Mist portal.

“What the fuck Kora! Warn someone next time!” Colonnello shouted in outrage. He hated those fucking portals. It always made his indies feel like he was being turned inside out.

“Mu, you will pay me.” Viper stated looking at Fon who smirked and nodded.

“If we’re all here, then we should be looking to find our baby.” Verde said dryly.

“Bastard.” Colonnello grunted as he looked at the polished stick in the Hitman’s hand. Of course, Reborn would be one of those people. He should have seen it.

 “Idiot.” Reborn greeted with a chaotic smirk twisting his lips.

“Just to be clear how many have active magic and how many are in the know, and how many of us have no clue what is going on?” Viper demanded. They did not like not knowing what was going on.

“Lal and I don’t have magic.” Colonnello stated after sharing a look with the other Rain. “We met a few people with it over the years. Kind of hard to go forty plus years in the Mafia and not run into it at some point.”

“So, Two muggles. Two wizards, a hedge witch and…” Reborn trailed off looking at Verde who was still glaring. A smirk twitched his lips. He did always enjoy riling up the Scientist.

“Squib.” Was the short answer and he nodded.

“You think Skull was a squid, Kora?” Colonnello asked and Verde turned his glare to the man.

“Squib you uneducated baboon! Not squid!”

“Um, yea, Squib…” Colonnello rubbed the back of his neck with one hand.

“Only one way to find out.” Reborn smirked as he cast a spell, feeling his magic well up as the magic engulfed Vipers map. He would need to buy the Mist another one. The map fell away into ashes and distorted until a single address danced in the wind.

Number 4 Privet Drive, Little Whinging, Surrey, England.

“Magical.” Verde groused petulantly. That particular spell would have fizzled out before touching the map had Skull been anything other than magical.

“Interesting.” Reborn said with narrowed eyes. “I was hoping to avoid the UK for a while. This is the year that megalomaniac was brought back, and you know Skull’s soft heart. He would want to help Potter deal with the fucker.”

“We’ll just have to distract him. I am not losing him again because he wants to help a boy who gets himself into trouble.” Lal snaped at them with a dark look, and they all had to agree. Skull might be from the UK but that didn’t mean he needed to help the Potter kid. That kid was nothing but trouble.

Chapter Text

The Suburbs had never seen the likes of the owners of number five. One woman and four men and a person who you could neither make heads nor tails of had moved in. At first Petunia Dursley had thought they were with a firm of some sort, but she knew trouble when she spied it. They were an unnatural lot. She knew it.

“Boy!” She shouted bringing in the freak of a boy, his wild hair stood on end, and he looked dead on his feet. Not that she cared, of course.

“Go paint the fence and pull the weeds. I will not have Mrs. Hendel of number six beating me in the best lawn contest!” She shrieked at him.

“Yes, Aunt Petunia.” The boy stated as his fist clenched. He was very careful not to allow the woman to see she was getting to him. Not that she would care even if she knew.

He made his way to the shed, ignoring the rusty red color splattering the floor and walls. One day, he promised himself. One day the Dursleys were going to pay for the horrors of his childhood. They were at the top of his list, but by no means were they the only ones on it.

His so-called friends had managed to make it there as well. You would think that after the shit show of last year they would have put in more effort to write to him. He had just lost Sirius. They didn’t and he had warned them. He had forgiven them on multiple occasions. It was their own fault if they thought he would be doing it again, because he sure as fuck wasn’t.

“This looks like someone was murdered in here.” A smooth dark voice flowed over him. It was soft, but with a hardness in it that had his instincts screaming that the person was dangerous.

He slowly turned around to see the fedora wearing nice clothes guy and the long-haired man of Asian descent standing on either side of the opened door. Both men were frowning as they took in the dried blood.

“I wouldn’t be surprised if Vernon did actually kill someone and was stupid enough to leave the evidence of it behind.” He shrugged. He really didn’t care anymore. When he was younger, he kept quiet because of fear and when he joined the Magical World, he had told Dumbledore, but the man wore rose tinted glasses. He had been beaten bloody when he got home because Dumblefuck decided to tell his relatives that he was ‘spreading lies’ about them.

The fedora wearing man snorted as if amused by his words, but he was sure the man knew exactly what he was thinking. He silently cursed Snape. The bastard hadn’t even really tried to teach him to shield his mind.

“Reborn.” The man greeted as he held out a hand and Harry sighed as he reached for it, noticing how much larger the man’s hands were compared to his own smaller ones. He flinched when his hand was roughly turned over and wanted to curse himself. Why in the hell hadn’t he ignored the hand or offered the one without the scars?

“Harry Potter.” He said ignoring the two sets of burning eyes that were taking in the raised skin and letters. One day he was going to buy himself a pair of gloves to cover those ghastly scars.

There was only the briefest pause as the two men shared a look before the other one spoke. “I am Fon, it is a pleasure to meet you.” He said with a half bow and Harry sighed.

“Nice, really nice and all but I have work to do. I would rather more of my blood didn’t end up in here.” He said as he pulled his hand away from the man. He felt those long fingers grasp his hand in a tighter hold for a brief moment and glared at him as if to demand release.

“We will leave it to you.” Fon stated with a tight smile as they turned, and he didn’t know why he did it, but he felt an absolute need to, so he called out to them.

“Hey!” They turned around, but there wasn’t the annoyance he was expecting. Instead, there was an intense look on their faces that he didn’t care to put a name to it. “My god-brother has this girlfriend. She’s a bit strange but I love her to bits. She calls me Skull. Skull De Mort, actually. If you really want to give the residence around here a heart attack you can call me by that. They all think I’m in a gang anyways.” He said with a small grin and the fedora wearing man who went by Reborn laughed.

“Of course, Skull.” Fon said with a smile that spread up to his eyes.

“I prefer Lackey.” Reborn said and Harry couldn’t help it. He knew he could be a shit when he wanted to.

“Lackey, it suits you, Lackey.” He drawled and both men blinked before soft peals of laughter left them.

“I was meaning you Lackey. You can call me Sempai.” He chuckled and Harry snorted.

“I knew what you meant.”

Chapter Text

Reborn wanted to snarl as he stomped around the house they had bought. Skull, his patient, and kind Lackey was Harry Potter. That…actually he really should have guessed as much. The scars on Skull’s hand explained his gloves. The ever-present makeup, it did wonders to cover noticeable features. He really should have guessed. He had always thought the kid brought himself trouble, but he knew Skull. He might not have known him before he became the Sky and Cloud of the Arcobaleno’s, but he knew him.

Skull wouldn’t have willingly fought in a war. He wouldn’t have put himself into danger for no other reason than fame and fortune. Skull only put himself in danger if he had no other choice.

That meant someone else was pulling the strings and the look of rage in Skull’s eyes showed he knew it. He was caged by it.

“So…” Colonnello sighed as he gazed at the pacing hitman. “What are we going to do?”

“He’s still Skull.” Fon stated gently as he took a sip of his tea. “The first time around he had no one to rely upon. Can you imagine what he could accomplish with us? We are, or will soon enough be, the most feared people in the world. The English enclaves I think deserve to know the horrors we can and will visit upon them for one of our own.”

A dark grin slowly lifted the other’s lips.

“Can we kidnap him?” Verde asked from where he was scribbling in a notebook. “You said the shed was covered in blood. I will need a sample to confirm it’s Skull’s. It would be best to have fresh blood to match it with.

“I don’t think we’ll need to kidnap him.” Reborn frowned as he stopped and looked at his Lightning. “I think they will be more than happy to allow us to take him.”

“What do you think the old man would say if he can’t find Skull before the start of term? We can start training him in combat.” Lal said as she looked up from where she was cleaning her gun.

“Mu, Skull would enjoy the chaos.” Viper had a dark smile in their voice.

“If were taking him then we can’t stay here.” Verde frowned before a smirk stole across his face. “Fon, how’s the weather in China?” He asked and the Martial Artist eyed him for a moment before smirking.

“I would love to see them try to find the Lackey in China. Should be fun.” Reborn muttered as his eyes gleamed.

“I think it would be even more fun if we took him traveling. China, Milan, Paris, Rome…” Lal stated and Reborn nodded.

“The Lackey did say he had wanted to travel the world when he was younger.” Reborn agreed as he looked at the others. Having Skull so close was exhilarating. Stealing him from the English enclaves and causing chaos amongst the sheep was going to be beautiful.

It only took a few days to have things ready. They might not yet have the fear and connections they once had, but they were still the best and soon enough both the sheeple and the Underworld would come to understand it.

“Hey Lackey.” Reborn called over the fence and watched Skull turn to him with a raised eyebrow. His green eyes danced with a hint of amusement.

“Sempai. Haven’t seen any of you lot in a while. I thought the Giraffe might have scared you all off.” Skull said with a nod towards the house and Reborn snorted.

“What do you say about causing some chaos for the bastards watching you?” He asked nodding his own head to the badly concealed wizard standing by the tree. Idiot was using an invisibility cloak but had not done anything else to conceal himself.

“Merlin Yes.” Skull said with a gleam in his eyes. It said something about how trapped his Cloudy-Sky was that he didn’t even care to ask about just who they were and didn’t care that they might be an enemy.

“Colonnello. Skull wants to cause chaos.” He called into an earpiece and a moment later the body of the wizard by the tree slumped to the ground.

“Did you kill him?” Skull asked with his head tilted. There was no condemnation, or fear. Only curiosity.

“If we did?” Reborn asked with a raised eyebrow.

Skull didn’t respond, only shrugged his shoulders as he moved over to lift the cloak and started chuckling. “He’s not dead.” Skull said looking back over towards them.

“No, but he will wish he was Kora.” Colonnello stated as he came over, his tranquilizer gun lugged over a shoulder.

“Oh, he’s going to be pissed.” Skull stated with a large smile on his lips.

“You know him, Lackey?” Lal asked as she came over.

“You could say that. This is the dick head responsible for me living here. Severus Snape. I spent last year getting my mind torn into by him.” Skull stated and Reborn had a gun up and aimed at the unconscious man. Fury radiated in his veins.

“Don’t.” Skull stated looking at him. “You don’t steal someone’s kill Sempai. That’s not nice.”

Fon, for his part, couldn’t help but to smile at the blood thirsty look on Skull’s face. Most of the Mafia assumed the Cloud had been a push over. They were wrong. Skull was always a bit blood thirsty. Something he didn’t often indulge in. He preferred to make someone wish for death instead. The fact that Skull was willing to indulge in his more sadistic nature said just how much he hated the man.

“We were thinking of kidnapping you. Want to go on an adventure with a bunch of strangers Lackey?” Verde asked with a smirk from where he stood, and Skull turned to look at them all.

“Yes.” There wasn’t any hesitancy. No fear, only the sound of someone desperate to get out of a cage that had been built around them.

“Boy!” A large whale of a man shouted as he stormed out of the house only to stop dead at the gun being aimed at him.

“Skull is going to be with us for the rest of the Summer. If you’re lucky we won’t, see you again. If you’re not lucky I can’t promise your death will be quick.” Fon said with a patent smile on his lips.

“Come along Lackey. Time is money and your wasting mine.” Viper stated coming up to them. Their hand reached out to grab Skull who just shrugged.

“Bye Uncle!” He chirped almost cheerfully.

“You do know Fumbles and his band of chickens are going to come looking for me, right?” He asked and got a snort from Reborn.

“That’s why we’re going to run Lackey. We won’t stay in the same place for more than a couple of days. They can chase us all they want but they won’t catch us.”

Chapter Text

Do you ever get the feeling that you know someone that you have never met? Yea, Harry, or Skull as he preferred to be called by those he liked, currently felt that away.

But it was more than just a feeling as he looked at the group, he found himself with. There was a look of desperate grief in their eyes. He knew that look; he had seen that look in mirrors on more than one occasion.

That was, most probably why when they asked to spring him from his prison he agreed. Even after seeing the very real, and very much loaded gun in Reborn’s hands. Still, his instincts told him that these people wouldn’t hurt him, and he trusted his instincts. They had never led him astray. The only time bad things happened was when he ignored them, like with Ron and Hermione.

How often had his instincts told him to pull back? How often had they warned him he would only be left disillusioned and disappointed with them? But these people? These people his very being was demanding he trust them. That he needed them, where he had never needed anyone.

He could almost parrot the words from some of them, their voices ringing in his head like a toll bell. He could see flashes, not quite prophetic but like… faded memories. He found himself speaking before he could stop himself on more than one occasion and watched as grief and surprise wared within them.

At night they clung to him. He found himself often sandwiched in the middle of a large bed, so much so that after the first few times they had stopped even pretending to get separate rooms in the hotels they stayed at.

Still, Skull didn’t think he had ever enjoyed his summer more. He went swimming in Bora Bora. Mountain climbing in Nepal. Sky diving in America. He learned the ins and out of guns, cleaning them, taking them apart and putting them back together.

He learned several basic stances of Martial Arts and saw a warring pride on Fon’s face. What was he warring with? Skull didn’t know but he thought it was probably the same thing all of them were warring with.

Something at some point had happened, and he knew in the depths of his bones that he was at the center of it. He didn’t know how. He didn’t know when. He didn’t even know why. He just knew it had.

The night that was supposed to be his last night before school started back up and he faced the hell of his sixth year he fell asleep surrounded by a bunch of idiots that made his heart melt.

Reborn was the first one up at the sound of distress coming from Skull’s small form. The way that small body thrashed around soon had the others awake as they tried in vain to wake him. He settled on holding him to himself, whispering soothingly into the menaces ear until those pretty green eyes opened and a look of loss and incomprehension were in them.

“Sempai?” Skull asked but there was something familiar about it. It wasn’t the same tone that they had gotten to know from Harry. His pained filled eyes looked around the room, counting the others before coming back to him.

“I died.” Skull stated and the room froze. “I died, but I’m not dead.”

“You remember?” Fon demanded, pulling Skull from Reborn’s hold and the smaller male buried his head into the Triad Enforcers chest.

“Everything. Yuni, she betrayed us. She joined forces with Byakuran. I died. So how am I here?”

“Don’t ask stupid questions Lackey!” Lal snapped at him with a glare.

“Mu, you act as if we would not make death bend to us.” Viper stated. “I should charge you for doubting us.”

Skull let out a half-sob, half-laugh as he lifted his head to see all of his family around him.

“I…” He paused as a frown covered his face and he went deathly pale. “You know who I am…was, before I was Skull.” He breathed the words out with a look of fear on his face that none of them were happy to see.

“Why didn’t you ever tell us Skull?” Fon asked into his hair as he gently tugged his Cloudy-Sky back into his chest. Those small hands clutched at his shirt as if afraid he was going to leave him. The silly Cloud. They were never going to allow him to leave them, much less would he willingly leave him.

“During that first meeting, I didn’t go in right away. I thought it might be someone from the Order setting a trap to try and drag me back. I heard you and Reborn talking about magic and how you hoped that ‘attention seeking British brat wasn’t going to show up as one of the strongest elements.’ I… After we all bonded, I couldn’t bring myself to tell you all. I knew how you felt about me. I have always been good at sneaking around, and I had heard all of you mumble about the ‘entitled British bastard with more gold than brains. Always getting himself into trouble’.” Skull sighed softly. “I’m surprised you guys didn’t head for the hills after learning who I was.”

The Arcobaleno’s shared a dark look. They had in fact had a very unfavorable opinion of Harry Potter up until the moment they had moved into Number five and discovered their Cloud was the ‘spoiled’ boy. Although spoiled was not the words they would use in conjunction with him.

Skull… Harry, had not been spoiled. He was an underfed abused child. Neglected, bullied, and caged. They had not known any of that. They only knew what the tabloids had said, and their own prejudiced thoughts on the kid. Having their words being tossed back at them? It made their hearts ache in a way they didn’t think they could.

Skull was their baby. Their Cloud. Their Sky. He was unmitigated chaos mixed with gentleness. He could be a blood thirst bastard when he wanted. Simply put, he was theirs. Having him doubt it? That was not something any of them liked.

“You were right to be weary when we first met.” Reborn admitted as Fon reluctantly passed the smaller form to the hitman who cradled him gently in his arms. “We did have an unfavorable opinion.” He sighed as he gently held Skull out so that the smaller male could look into his eyes. “You know us, Skull. How often had you called us arrogant bastards with preconceived notions that will bite us in the ass one day? You warned us about basing opinions on things we don’t know anything about. You were right. We didn’t know anything about Potter…about you. We are a bunch of arrogant bastards. I just never thought we would be so wrong about one of our own.”

Skull couldn’t stop the tears from sliding down his face as the Hitman wiped them off with his thumb. “I can’t imagine how much we must have hurt you, but we’ll make it up to you.” Fon stated with a sad look on his face as he pulled his cloudy Sky from Reborn’s arms and hugged him tightly.

“So.” Skull said after a moment, gently pulling himself from his Storm’s embrace. “Chaos?”

A ruckus laughter left the others. “Are you asking for help causing it Lackey?” Reborn asked with a gentleness in his voice that he only reserved for his Lackey.

“Last time around the magical enclaves decided I was a weapon for them to use. This time around I’m more interested in screwing them all over. I always did mourn the fact I didn’t get to kill Snape or Dumble.”

A wicked grin slid across the others faces. Setting a bored Skull loose on the masses was always great fun. They were going to enjoy watching the English enclaves pay for trying to cage their Sky.

Chapter Text

Skull couldn’t believe he was going back to school. He eyed the bushy haired brunet who was trying to flay him alive with her screeching, and the red-haired idiot who sat with an angry scowl on his face. Quite honestly, he had tuned out her tirade not long after she had started.

“Well! What do you have to say for yourself?” She demanded from her high horse and a slow smirk crossed his lips. He was so very glad his Lightning was nothing like this arrogant child with a superiority complex. His lightning had earned his arrogance.

“I’m sorry, I wasn’t listening.” He stated innocently making her face go red and her eyes wide with fury. “Honestly I wasn’t aware you were my guardian.” He shrugged.

“What are you talking about Harry? Of course, I’m not your guardian the headmas….” She wasn’t allowed to finish as he cut her off.

“Isn’t my guardian either?” He questioned helpfully. “I know. That’s why I didn’t ask him. I mean who ever heard of asking a headmaster for permission to visit friends over the summer?”

“The headmaster,” she spat angrily at being cut off. “Has your best interest at heart. He had the order watching your house. How can you be so irresponsible?” She snarled at him.

He couldn’t help it as he laughed uproariously. “Thanks, Hermione! I needed that!” He pretended to wipe a tear away. “The headmaster having people stalk a student. How creepy is that?” He chortled and watched with amusement as she got so angry, she couldn’t even speak.

He sat forward in his seat, time in the Mafia and with his elements had showed him just how brainwashed the magical enclaves were. They worship the old fucker, and he soaked it up, inflating his ego until he had actually started to believe that he was a god.

“Albus Dumbledore is a headmaster of a school. Not even a good school. It is not ranked number one, it’s not even in the top ten schools of magic. He has no say on where I spend my Summer. No say on who I go with. He has no business placing spies on my house. You are not my mother. You are not my master to demand I tell you where I decide to go. You chose not to write to me this summer. You can blame the old man, but the choice was yours.” He paused as she gapped at him.

“You chose not to write to me. You chose to lock Hedwig up when I sent her to you. “You chose to listen to a headmaster who has absolutely no say over our lives. You can hardly be upset that I chose not to.” He shrugged as he sat back and waited for the explosion. He wasn’t disappointed.

He was very much enjoying riling the stupid chit up. She was in for a rude awakening because he was not going to sit back and toe the old fucker’s line like a good little soldier.

 He was the Cloud Arcobaleno. The Sky of the World’s strongest Flame users. The Don of the Carcassa.

 He was the Strongest Sky, the Strongest Cloud. He was not a little boy who was trying so very hard to be what was expected and always coming up short. He wasn’t after a pat on the head from some old man with dreams of grandeur. He would not submit to their whims. Not now, and not ever again.

“You’re not even listening to me!” The child snarled as she stood up, her hands balled into fists. She looked every bit like the child she was.

“That makes us even then, doesn’t it?” He asked, raising a single eyebrow. A trick he stole from Reborn. “You don’t ever listen to me.” He gave her a grin, completely unmoved by the frustrated tears that swam in her eyes.

“How dare you! I always listen to you!” She shrieked at him, and he hummed.

“I’m sorry, what did you say?” He asked blinking at her.

“I sai…” He cut her off with a snort.

“Oh, I heard you, I just didn’t think you would be stupid enough to utter the same lie twice in one sitting.” He shrugged and the compartment went quiet.

“Let’s break it down, yea? I’ll even skip the first couple of years because I’m feeling generous. Let’s start with fourth year. Who did you side with over the cup? It wasn’t me. You came running to me with Ron wanted me to tell you and when I said well you can tell Ron you snaped at me. Knowing he wasn’t talking to me. That he chose not to believe me. Knowing that he was part of the group of people making that year unbearable instead of telling him no, you chose to tell me what he said and would not allow for a rebuttal. You chose to berate me on putting my name in the cup. You chose not to listen to me.”

He paused and widened his eyes for effect. “Do you see a reoccurring theme?” He gasped as if he had just noticed something. “Choices!” He sang in his most annoying voice. The voice he employed in the Mafia to make people underestimate him.

“You made your choices, but somehow think my choices should be made for me. That’s not very nice of you Hermione. It’s no wonder you’re not a Hufflepuff.” He sighed dramatically. “When you choose to tell the headmaster about our talk tell him I found it rather enlightening, yea? Seeing just where my friend’s loyalty lies, is always a pleasure.”

“Where do you think you’re going?” Hermione snarled as he got to his feet and put his hand on the doorknob.

“To see Luna and Neville of course. They, unlike you, chose to write me this summer and they, unlike you, didn’t demand I tell them where I was. Instead, they chose to have faith that I was with people I knew and wished me a good summer. It gave me the warm and fuzzies.” He winked at her before walking out.

Chapter Text

Skull spent a rather enjoyable time with Neville and Luna and was not at all surprised when McGonagall came to get him off the train with a “The headmaster wishes to speak to you Mr. Potter.” For all of the old cat’s failures, and there were a lot of them he remembered her for the sheer terror she had caused in Voldemort’s forces. She was great as a teacher, he just always believed she had stretched herself too thin with both Gryffindor head of house and deputy headmistress. Not to worry, though, Micky G wasn’t going to hold all three positions for long. He had Viper stirring up chaos soon enough. Poor bastards had all ended up on the Arcobaleno’s shit list and they all were tearing at the bits to cause some chaos.

“The password is…” She began but he cut her off.

“As my head of house, madam.” He began with a tilt of his head. It was a move he copied from Fon when the man wanted to be an utter bastard and leave people reeling because they weren’t quite sure if he had threatened them or if he was being friendly. “You are duty bound to go with me to any meeting with the headmaster. He is not allowed to have any student in his office without a proper chaperone. He is also not allowed to talk about anything other than school things. It's improper." He widened his eyes almost comically. "Is... is he changing my electives? Is that why he’s calling me up?” He fake gasped before grinning.

“I knew it! I knew he would relent and allow me to drop Divination for something more useful! I can’t wait to tell everyone he is finally going to allow me to take Ancient Runes! I’ve only been trying to convince him to allow it since third year!” He cheered and spun around joyfully. Plying on the bullshit. He was surprised the students hadn’t come out of the great hall to see what had caused the smell.

“I’m so excited!” He cheered and watched amusedly as the woman stared at him with wide eyes. Unprepared for this. Of course, he didn’t think even the Twins could prepare the poor old bean for the sheer chaos he could willingly and knowingly cause.

“I don’t think he’s going to allow you to change electives.” She said after a moment, her voice cracked slightly, and he idly wondered if he could break the teachers. How much fun would that be? Maybe he should make a list. Snape would be at the top of teachers he wanted to break and professors like Flitwick would be on the do not touch list. He did, after all, like them.

“What do you mean? Why else would he call us to his office? The year has just started, I haven’t gotten detention and the bylaws state he’s not allowed to call me into his office unless it’s a serious offence, regular detentions don’t count. I haven’t had classes yet, so I couldn’t have forgotten to turn in my homework, and even if I did that goes through the Deputy Head, not the Headmaster. The only thing he could possibly wish to see me for is my petition to change classes and if he was going to deny it, he would have done it through Owl post, the way the bylaws state it should be done. Only accepting my request would require me to come to his office?”

He sighed dreamily and smiled. “I knew he would see reason.” He nodded happily. “Still. It’s rather odd that he didn’t ask us to come up to see him after the feast. I know the firsties are looking forward to being sorted, and tradition dictates that he be there.” He shrugged after a moment. “Ah well, I’m sure it will just be a minute and then we can go to the sorting feast!” He let out another cheer and inside he cackled at the wide-eyed look on her face.

After the war he had desperately wanted to know just how badly he had been screwed over. He had read the bylaws and rules and memorized them. Determined that he would never again go into something blind and rely on others to help him get through it all. Apparently, it was going to come in handy.

Albus Dumbledore did not know the hornets’ nest he had stirred, but he would learn very quickly how fast the opinion of the masses could change. He was rather looking forward to this school year.

As for Minerva McGonagall she wasn’t at all sure what to do. She knew the Headmaster was at the feast. He had wanted Potter in his office during the sorting Feast. A feast that could not take place until the deputy head, which was her, called each new student forth and had them sorted.

She had planned to let the boy go up and wait while she did her duty to the school. She saw no reason to go up with him. The bylaw might still be an active rule, but she was a busy person. She should not have to coddle a student who was rightfully in trouble. The way the boy had left his relatives home without permission had her fuming. Precious resources wasted trying to locate him. Precious time best spent on something else. It made her blood boil.

“You may go up Mr. Potter. I do have other things that need my time.” She stated after a moment and the boy looked at her with that head tilt and blinked.

“Oh no ma’am. I wouldn’t dare put your job at risk by ignoring the bylaws. As my head of house, you have to be present to represent my best interest. Not coming with me is…well it’s as good as turning in a resignation.  I would never want to be the cause of you getting fired because I didn’t allow you to do your job!” He gasped.

She paused because it almost sounded like a threat, but it was said so innocently that she knew it wasn’t. She felt like she was between a rock and a hard place. A sigh left her lips as she looked at the innocently smiling boy.

“Very well Mr. Potter. I’ll tell the Headmaster we will go up after the feast.” She nodded as she turned and headed away towards the great hall. She could hear him following behind her.

Chapter Text

Skull mentally cackled. Oh, this was priceless. While he did respect the woman it was only to a degree. She had earned plenty of scorn. He would have to decided just what he should do about her in the long run.

On one hand, she was a good teacher. A strong fighter, and a true lioness. On the other hand, she was blinded by the old fucker and his bullshit. She disobeyed the contract she had signed, seeing no need to follow it because of her own misguided trust in the old fucker. She allowed her students to be bullied by the old fucker’s spy. She did nothing about Um-bitch because she didn’t want to make waves. Allowing the toad to abuse students in her care. She did nothing about the rampant bullying, most likely because of the old fucker. So, yea.

Most of her inadequacies could be blamed on the old man. However, and it had taken him some time to come to terms with a single detail. She chose to follow him. She chose to do as he said. She didn’t have to. She had a signed contract stating her position and duties. She was not obligated to do his bidding. She chose to do it.

Unlike him, she had choices. She made hers. Professor Flitwick had choices, he stepped in where he could. Helped his student. Wasn’t biased and didn’t allow for bullying. He could still remember the heartbreak on the tiny man’s face when he come to ask him why he had allowed Luna to be bullied. Quite frankly, he hadn’t known about it, or he would have put a stop to it.

This time, he would be speaking to Flitwick a lot sooner than the last time around. Cho and her cohorts would rue the day they decided that they could make a target out of Luna. Maybe he could even convince the professor to turn his head while he dealt with them. A sly smirk curled the corner of his lips for a moment.

He walked into the Great Hall with a pep in his step and put on his best cheerful annoying bastard persona and took a seat right next to Luna. The hall went dead quiet.

“Mr. Potter!” The deputy head shouted with her face contorted into a scowl.

“Yes professor?” He inquired as he turned his head slightly.

“To your table! Now!” She pointed to the Gryffindor table, and he blinked at her as if she were insane.

“Why? I wanted to sit next to Luna.” He said as if it explained everything.

“You must sit at your table! You know this!” She snarled at him as her nose flared and her eyes bulged with anger at being questioned. Oh, this was going to be fun. He mentally rubbed his hands together in glee.

“No, you don’t.” He shrugged as he smiled and turned to Luna. He could see amusement dancing in her eyes.

“Mr. Potter!” The professor called out and he turned once more to face her.

“Detention! Now move!”

“Professor,” he called to her slowly as if about to talk to someone particularly dense. It was the same tone of voice he had always used on the Giglio Nero Donna’s. “The bylaws and very clear on what you can and cannot give detention for. Students are allowed to sit at any table regardless of house affiliation at any time. It promotes unity and friendship. The staff can not and shall not infringe or try to promote house strife by disallowing the students to sit where they wish to. It’s part of the teacher’s contract. That means.” He slowed his voice as if talking to a young child. “That you can not tell me where to sit, who to sit with or give me detention for sitting here. I am not causing a scene; you are which means it is within my rights to sit here.” He turned to grin at Neville. “You can join us to if you want Nev!” He called into the silence of the room.

He couldn’t help but to mentally cackle. Who knew knowing the rules and bylaws could be so much fun? Could cause such chaos. He smiled even wider when Neville stood from his seat and shuffled past the old cat. He could see the flush of embarrassment on the other boy’s face, but Neville had truly found his backbone.

“Um, professor? The first years are waiting.” He heard Neville speak up as the old woman’s fist clenched. He did wonder just when the old fucker was going to put his nose into business that wasn’t his. He had seen the way the man’s eyes had narrowed as he entered the room.

As if reading his thoughts, the old man stood from his gilded throne. “Mr. potter, Mr. Longbottom.” He called with a twinkle in his eye and Skull could see right through it. The man might look like he was the worlds friendliest grandfather, but he could see the cold and callus calculation that hid behind that twinkle.

“You are disrupting the start of term feast. I must ask you to return to your rightful table and we will discuss your week of detention after.” He stated and Skull gave a large, exaggerated sigh as he looked over at the man.

“Did any of you read your contracts before signing them?” He demanded with a frown as he looked over at each of the professors. “You cannot ‘discuss’ detention with a student. That is for the deputy head. Unless the offense is large enough to cause expulsion or suspension you have no say in it. As it is nether Nev, nor I are doing anything wrong. We are allowed to sit where we choose. It’s in the rules and regulations. You, sir, are causing the disruption, trying to force us to sit where you wish is also a breach of contract. You really should read things before you sign it!” He chided the old man.

“Or,” he said slyly as he eyed the angry man whose jaw was clenched with fury. “Are you trying to say that you do not have to follow the rules? As you remind us children often, the rules are set for our protection.

The old man opened his mouth when the Charms professor spoke up, a frown on his face. “Mr. Potter is correct headmaster. Please leave the boys alone so we can get on with the feast. I think it’s marvelous that they wish to sit with their friend.” Skull looked at the man and smiled, he had just cemented himself as the all-time favorite professor.

“Minerva, please do get on with it.” Professor Sprout stated from her own seat. She had a fondness for both boys and did not like the two trying to force their whims on her favorite students.

Both the Headmaster and Deputy head shared a dark look. There was absolutely nothing they could do about it, and they knew it. Skull smiled as he turned to face the first years. He loved having the old fucker by the balls and couldn’t wait to write to his elements. They would enjoy this.

He was not at all surprised when the deputy head and headmaster did not call him back to the man’s office at the end of the feast. He really wished they had. How much fun he would have had if they did.

Chapter Text

Skull was anticipating the explosive first Potions class. He knew Colonnello had tranquilized the man, and he knew better than anyone how the old bat could hold a grudge. Even if the one he was holding it against had not done it.

“You look like your about to start cackling while you rub your hands together.” Neville stated from where they were currently sitting at the Hufflepuff table. Luna had been such a sweet dear and saved them a spot with the Puffs.

“I don’t want to know.” One of the older years muttered as he eyed the two lone lions sitting with them.

“We have Snape this morning.” Skull chirped happily after he swallowed a bite of eggs. “I wasn’t joking when I said there is an actual list of offenses a professor can and cannot give detention for, there is also one for things we can lose points for. Funnily enough breathing loudly is not one of them. It was written to force the teachers to act professionally. There is a set number of points allotted to be taken for each infraction. A set number allowed to be given and things that a teacher cannot give points for. Snape gets away with his biased and abuse because students don’t question it. The headmaster and deputy head have not stepped in so were told it’s the way it is.” He paused as a devilish smirk stole across his face.

“Unfortunately for him, the deputy, and the old fucker I do know it.” He got wide eyed looks from the others and turned to look at Neville. “You remember first year? When we were caught out after hours and each lost twenty-five points?” He asked and got a slow nod. “The most a teacher is allotted for breaking curfew is five points apiece with two nights of detention, each one hour long, where the child is to write lines for the first infraction. The second infraction is ten points, one night writing lines and another night doing manual labor for no longer than two hours at any given span of time. The teachers are not allowed to take more than twenty points for it at any given time, and twenty points is for the fourth time a student is caught outside after curfew.”

He got wide eyed looks from those sitting close to him. “There are a lot of rules and regulations that the teachers must swear to uphold and abide by. It was to help keep the staff from abusing their power over the students. In essence we have no parental figure here to represent us. This was a way to make sure that the students could feel safe while away and get a proper education without the parents having to worry about their child being bullied by the staff because of a problem they may have with each other.”

“Fuck!” The elder Hufflepuff breathed the word out, his eyes wide as he looked at Skull who gave his best, I’m innocent look. “How much trouble are you planning to cause?” He demanded.

“Why? Are you going to try to stop me?” He asked showing far more teeth than was considered appropriate. It was Verde’s ‘you’re about to be my test subject’ smile.

“Hell, no Potter. I want a front row seat to your bloody chaos. Why weren’t you this interesting before?” He demanded and Skull snorted.

“Dumb and dumber.” He stated in thew way of explanation as he pointed to Ron and Hermione who both looked exceedingly angry and were marching over towards them.

“Hadrian James Potter!” Hermione called and he turned to face her with an innocent smile painting his lips. The fool should run while she still could.

“I didn’t know your name was Hadrian Potter, Harry Potter.” Luna stated looking up from the Quibbler.

“It’s not. I don’t know why she insists on calling me by it when she’s angry.” He pretended to frown before turning to the wide-eyed Puff that wanted front row seats to his special brand of chaos. Well, he asked for it.

“Do you think…do you think she doesn’t know my name?” He asked making his voice go small and sound almost hurt.

“Maybe she thinks it makes her sound impressive?” The older boy stated without missing a beat as he gently reached over and patted Skull’s shoulder with a ‘it’s going to be okay,’ look on his face.

“So, which is it?” Skull asked turning to the red-faced girl. He would feel bad for putting her in this position, but there was no love lost between them. She had chosen her side it was time for her to reap her ‘rewards’.

“What?” She demanded with her hands on her hips, and he barely suppressed a grin. She had wanted to cause a scene. Knowing how much he hated attention she was hoping that he would fall in line as to avoid it. Unfortunately for her he was not the boy she had bullied into doing what she wanted at every opportunity. He was Skull De Mort.

“Do you really not know my name, or are you trying to sound impressive by anointing me with a name that isn’t mine?” He asked still looking upset and she spluttered.

“Harry, mate.” Ron called with his own frown and his eyes shown with anger even as he tried to paint a smile on his face. “Come sit with us at our table. You caused a stir yesterday by sitting with the Claws. You don’t need to sit with the Puff’s today. We haven’t seen you all summer.” The red head gave a dismissive sneer towards the Hufflepuffs.

“Nah, I’m good.” He shrugged as he turned back to the older puff.

“Do not ignore me!” Hermione called and he sighed as he turned back to face her.

“I’m sorry? Did you say something?” He asked before looking at his bare wrist. “Oh! It’s time to go! Bye!” He chirped as he grabbed Neville and hauled the larger boy up so they could take off at a run out of the room.

“You’re going to drag me into whatever this is, aren’t you?” Neville asked once they stopped outside of the Potions classroom. He had a look of amusement on his face, and he was very glad he wasn’t the only one to come back with his elements.

Neville was a very good Earth or would be once they found the time to sit down and awaken his Flames properly and Luna would make an excellent Desert.

“This is my chance to do things over. I’m not going to waste it. I’m too much of a bastard to let things play out. If I get to screw with the English enclaves and make Dumble wish, he had never been born than its just a bonus.” He shrugged with an unhinged smile on his lips.

“I think it says something with how much I think I’m going to enjoy watching you cause chaos.” Neville said with a snort as he eyed the other with amusement and Skull grinned unrepentantly.

“That’s the spirit. Just wait until I get to properly introduce you and Luna to my bastards.”

Chapter Text

Severus Snape was in a very good mood. He had been glaring at the Potter spawn all though breakfast with a sneer on his lips. The headmaster and his head of house might have allowed him to get away with blatant disrespect last night, but the brat would pay dearly.

A slow menacing grin crossed his lips. Last night he had been given permission to make the child come to heel. The little brat was going to wish he had toed Albus’s line. He was looking forward to his first class. Showing the dim wit just how little, he mattered always made his day. Spoiled arrogant brat, just like his father. He still had a score to settle for the brat’s trick over the Summer.

He smirked when he found the brat and the incompetent near squib standing by the door to his classroom. “Potter!” He drawled and those green eyes turned to him, filling him with hatred. Potter had no right to have her eyes. “Twenty points for loitering.” He sneered at him and smirked. It wasn’t every day he was allowed to drop Gryffindor into the negatives. His eyes glided over the students beginning to pile up in the hallway. He was going to enjoy the flush of humiliation and anger that would spark a reason to take even more points.

“This is why people should read their contracts.” Potter sighed before Lily’s eyes lifted to meet his own but there was an unfamiliar hardness in them. “You cannot take points for ‘loitering’. The school is essentially the home of the students during the school year. That means we are allowed to stand around in the hallways so long as we do not impede others getting to class and make it to our own before class begins. It’s in the contract. You know, the one you signed. I’m thinking none of you read it.”

“You foolish in…” Skull cut the fool off before he could finish his no doubt impressive insult. Well, maybe it might have been impressive if he didn’t know the likes of Verde.

“I wouldn’t finish that if I were you professor.” He said with a smirk curling his lips and Snape felt a shudder of fear that not even the Dark Lord could inspire. He ruthlessly pushed it down. The boy was just that an insignificant child who was spoiled and pampered and trying to make everyone else bend to his will.

“Ho…” He was cut off again as the bell rang and Potter looked at him, but they were not the green familiar eyes but rather they had turned purple rimmed with orange.

“Look! We don’t have class today!” He chirped happily. “Are you coming outside with me Nev?” He asked happily.

“Get in! Now!” Snape snarled as he thrust his door open only for those eyes to turn back to him.

“You really need to read your contract. If you did you would realize that it states, the Professor must be in their room by the time the bell rings. If the teacher is not present in the class, the class for that day is canceled. It was deemed as unfair that the students had to be in class before the bell and the teachers did not. The only exception to the rule is if the teacher posted a note on their door. There is no note. So that means, by you not being in the classroom but out here trying to take points for an infraction that does not exist in a form of, what I am sure is a power play, you have essentially canceled class.”

He was going to pay Viper a premium to get the rules published in every major newspaper. He couldn’t wait to see parents’ reactions to the staff not following a contract they signed. Contracts were held in the highest esteem and not following one was seen as being worse than a murderer in the enclaves. Having proof that their ‘beloved’ leader of all things good was no better than scum was going to be glorious.

“You can check if you want. I don’t mind waiting for my free period.” He chirped happily as the man snapped his fingers; a dark death glare aimed at Skull as a house elf appeared. One that was not hired by Hogwarts. What do you know, another breach of contract. This was getting better by the moment.

“What can Minty be doings for the professor?” The she-elf asked with a low bow.

“Bring me my contract for Hogwarts!” He demanded and the she-elf vanished and reappeared with a large book.

“Page one hundred and eight.” Skull chirped helpfully only to get a sneer by the man as he turned it to the correct page. Skull watched as the man paled. Ah, so he saw what else failure to be in the classroom entailed. The founders had thought it unfair that students were punished for failure to be in class on time, but the staff were not. Or more so Helga Hufflepuff had found it unfair, and the others had been forced to comply to her demands.

“Do have fun spending this period cleaning the walls of your classroom with a toothbrush.” He grinned as he turned and began to walk away. Whistling as he went with a stunned Neville walking behind him.

It was good to be him.

Chapter Text

Reborn howled with laughter as he read the letter his menace of a Sky had sent. Skull had only been at school a day. Really, he was so very proud.

He wished he could be over there and would be soon enough. Him and Fon were both currently setting themselves up as the best and most feared men in the world. It wouldn’t do to not be seen as the predators they were.

Besides, he enjoyed bathing the streets in blood. He had plans after all. After this year they were going to spend the Summer helping their favorite little Cloudy-Sky track down and kill the Death Eaters. A dark smile light his lips. It was going to be a fun bonding experience for all of them.

He ignored the fact that while Fon and him were making a name for themselves Verde had caught several Death Eaters and were using them for his experiments. Fucking mad scientist. He had no patience to wait for them.

 “Reborn.” A seductive woman called from the bed. Her lips painted red and her hair a bleached blond that was coarse to the touch. One of the many assassins he had dealt with in the last few days. She wasn’t nearly as good in bed as he had remembered. She crocked her finger and beckoned him with that sinful smile that promised another round of fun. He wanted to snort.

He wasn’t that desperate. Besides he wanted to read over the havoc Skull was causing again. He was sure he would find it just as delightful as he had the first time. Instead of going over to her he turned around, gun in hand and watched as her eyes widened and pulled the trigger.

He whistled as he dressed. Unbothered by the murder he had just committed. It wasn’t like it was his first kill, and it wasn’t going to be his last one. In fact, if memory served him right the woman came from a low tier famiglia that he had whipped out after she had tried to assassinate him.

He was looking forward to doing it again. Killing off entire famiglia’s was something he only rarely got a chance to do. He pulled the blanket up around the woman and removed his presence from the room. It wouldn’t do to leave any way for the cop’s to even suspect him. Instead, he pulled out a few fibers of hair and a cup with Don Marino’s fingerprints. Everyone who mattered would know it was his kill, but when you have the chance to frame a thorn in your side, well he wasn’t about to pass it up.

Even a rooky cop should be able to find the fingerprints and hair’s he left on the pillow next to the woman. He gave a dark smile as he looked at his handywork for a moment before leaving. Locking the door behind him.

The nights cool breeze as he walked down the road had him grinning. The letter from Skull was tucked in his pocket. Life in that moment was good.

He would soon be known as the World’s Greatest Hitman. Skull was at school. Skull was alive and at school…Skull was alive and at school causing chaos and remembered them.

As if one of his bond mates could read his mind his phone began to buzz in his pocket. “Chaos,” he greeted without taking the time to check the caller id. Only six people had this number.

“Did Skull send you a letter?” His Storms smooth voice asked over the receiver.

“The lovely piece of chaos?” He questioned as his Storm let out a soft trill of laughter.

“I blame your influence.” Fon said sounding every bit amused.

“Please. We all know Skull was a menace long before he met me.”

“Perhaps.” Fon conceded. “How do you think Skull would react to me showing up at his School?”

“I take it the separation is getting hard for you?” Reborn asked, he wasn’t really concerned. Fon had taken Skull’s death the hardest. While they had all been upset and would have delved into the pits of hell itself to get Skull back Fon had…well it wasn’t unusual for the man to be found sleeping in Skull’s room and if he was missing, he could usually be found sitting at Skull’s grave.

“By this time around I was already seen as the most feared Triad Enforcer. The higher ups are rather twitchy, and I grow tired of their Skies trying to entice me. I had forgotten how annoying their incessant pulling was. As it would not do to kill them all I was thinking of joining Skull.”

“Viper setting you up with an identity?” He asked with a hum. He would be considering it himself, but unlike the Triad’s where Fon could easily slip out for months on end without worrying about someone trying to take his place, the Mafia was a bit different. The Mafia required constant monitoring, and someone was always looking to try and take his place.

Fon, as long as he popped up every once in a while, would be fine.

“Verde created a device to allow me to pass as sixteen. Viper has agreed to create an identity as a foreign exchange student. None of us liked the idea of Skull being there without any backup knowing what those…creatures, would try.

“It would ease me mind if the Lackey had someone other than school kids to rely on.” He agreed after a moment. “Skull would enjoy the sheer chaos of it. Let me know what house you get sorted into.”

He could hear Fon’s soft laughter over the phone.

Chapter Text

The old man was a latent corrupt Sky, and that explained a lot. Fon wanted to sigh as the man droned on and on about the school, its prestige, and a host of other useless things. Viper and Verde sat across from the man, swathed in illusions that made them appear as an older couple from Asia who had moved to Europe recently and needed to send their heir to school.

He could see the look of boredom on the faces of his Lighting and Mist. Nothing the old man said made any difference to any of them. “Well, my dear boy!” The old man called with a twinkle in his eyes that made Fon want to burn him alive. “Let’s get you sorted!”

He picked an old hat from a shelf behind his desk and plopped it onto Fon’s hair. Maybe he could strangle the man with his own beard?

“You are not the first one to wonder that.” The hat chuckled into his head.

“If you would be so kind as to sort me into Gryffindor, please.” He thought to the hat and could feel the things surprise.

“You don’t have the attributes of a Gryffindor but rather a very fine Slytherin. It has been a long time since I have seen one with such a surplus of Slytherin attributes. However, you are far too old to be attending school.” He could hear the frown in the hat’s voice. “I see, you really would burn this school down for chaining your Sky, wouldn’t you? Very well. As you are not really young enough to be a student, I see no harm in placing you where you are most needed. At least now Mr. Potter will not be the only snake in the Lion’s den. I suspect I will be hearing a great deal about both of you this year.” The hat was definitely amused, and Fon would have inclined his head towards it had it not been sitting on said head.

“It better be; GRYFFINDORE!” The hat roared and he gently removed it from his head and handed it back to the old barmy fool who was going to die, painfully for the hell he placed Skull in.

“Ah! Let me call your new head of house.” The man said jovially as he pulled out his wand and cast a Patronus, no doubt trying to show off. He looked over and could see Verde’s eyes tick with annoyance at the superfluous movement. The man could have just as easily called the woman through the Floo.

Less than ten minutes later he was leaving the eyesore of an office with the strict woman who led him up to the tower he would be spending the majority of the next year or two in. Not that he minded. Skull was here.

He still couldn’t get over that very real fact. Skull. His Cloud. His Sky. His menace. Was here. He was alive and here. He was determined to keep him this away even if he had to burn down the world to do it.

This time around he would not be losing his beautiful little menace.

.....

“And this is Gryffindor tower. The password is Abstinence.” The old woman stated, drawing his attention to a voluptuous woman in a painting who looked at them before swinging open and he wanted to roll his eyes. He should have taken Skull to Weylin’s School of magic. It wasn’t nearly as ostentatious as this place. It also did not require its students to spend the majority of the year in it. It was a place of learning, much like the muggle schools you went for a few hours a day and then returned home. They also had a broader selection of classes. The list Viper, Verde, and he had looked over last night was…well it had Verde swearing up a storm and muttering about fixing the gaps in Skull’s education.

In fact, he had a specially made assessment quiz for Skull to complete to see just where the insufficient teaching needed to be repaired. He had another one sent by Reborn upon hearing about the lack of education they suspected from the school. One assessment was completely muggle and the other one magical.

Viper may have also slipped in a paper giving the access to Skull’s vaults for the other to sign. The Miser wanted to go over his assets with a fine-tooth comb and invest where they saw a profit. The funds would then be used to fund their own famiglia.

Preferably a famiglia without the stain of the Carcassa’s reputation. Even after Skull had taken it over the Mafia had continued to sneer at the famiglia. Unwilling to see that it was no longer what it had been. He was sure Colonnello and Skull’s war game using Mafia Land may have had something to do with it.

Thinking of his Rain’s also had him thinking of the other packet he had found amongst his things, and when they had found the time to slip it into his stuff, he had no idea. The Rain’s had made up an exam about guns. Part’s, scopes, and what gun was better to kill people in what situation.

 His mind was brought back to the present as his name was called and standing in front of him was his adorable little menace and…Enma? It couldn’t be, could it? Enma was a kid decades after they were cursed. So how was he standing in front of him now? Oh, his hair and eyes were different, but there was no doubt that this was Enma Kozato.

“Noticed it hu?” Skull chirped with a happy grin.

“Will you explain?” He asked after a moment and Skull’s grin widened.

“Sure, come on and I’ll take us somewhere we won’t be disturbed. Should grab Luna while I’m at it.” A sly smile that spelled chaos slid across the others face. Fon smiled when the smaller hand slid into his to pull him after and he quickly changed it to where their fingers were intertwined.

Skull practically beamed at him.

Chapter Text

Fon wanted to sigh even as he held Skull’s hand in a tight grip. He should have guessed it. Really, he should have. Standing in front of him was the quirky blond that Skull was fond of. He had never known her Flame type, all he had known was how irritatingly close Skull was to her. She had taken over as his second in command in the Carcassa. Allowing the rest of the Arcobaleno’s to go about as they willed.

“Luna Love, meet Fon. Fon meet Luna Lovegood, I think you would remember her best as Stâncă. Luna meet Fon.” Skull introduced them and the blond gave him a familiar smile that made her look as if she was not all there.

“Did you need me, Skull De Mort?” Luna asked after a brief moment.

“Yea. Fon showed up out of the blue. I figured one of them would sooner or later. I was betting it would be Reborn, but…” He shrugged with a lopsided grin. “You want to come with?”

The blond gave his Cloudy-Sky a dreamy smile and Skull pulled his hand free to wrap both arms around the girl.

Did he mention how much he didn’t like her?

Neville snorted in amusement at the dark look on the man’s face. “Should we…” He was cut off by the dark voice of the Potion’s Master.

“What’s this? Trying to get into another’s common room? I should have known you would be up to no good. And dragging a new student into your…mischief.” The man sneered the last word as he briefly looked at Fon. “Thirty points will be taken from Gryffindor.”

Neville wanted to sigh. If there was one thing he had learned and learned well since term began it was that Harry, Skull, knew the rules and regulations by heart. Shouldn’t the professor have learned that by now. His eyes went from the man he used to fear to the Storm standing next to him to Skull himself.

A wicked grin flashed across Skull’s face for only a brief moment.

“Professor.” Skull said as if he was about to talk to someone, he found exceedingly dense. Oh, this was going to be good. “There is no rule that states a student cannot go into another common room. In fact, before the headmaster took over there wasn’t a password protecting any of the common rooms. It was considered open territory to promote house unity. When Professor Dumbledore took the position, he thought it would be a good idea to no longer allow students that privilege. When he was informed that he could not, in fact, change it and add a rule to keep students from other houses he instead went to great links to make it harder and after a few years students forgot that it was in fact open territory.”

He shook his head. “That being said it is not curfew it is not after curfew, and I can in fact stand here all day if I wanted to. I could even go into the Ravenclaw’s roost and there would be nothing you could do. As for being up to mischief I will ask you to prove it. The rules are very clear. You cannot simply accuse someone of something without solid proof.”

“I don’t need to prove it, Potter!” Snape snarled, his spit flying from his mouth and Skull looked at him with a calm expression even as Fon wanted to introduce the man to his Flames. He would look much better as a pile of ashes on the ground. “Your always up to something!”

“That is true. I didn’t say I wasn’t. I said to prove it. You could follow us around all day and watch as I create havoc but unless you can find proof I did it there would still be nothing you could do. Why, for all you know I’m still in my own common room and this is someone using Polyjuice.” He opened his eyes and gave a conspiratorial wink before grabbing Fon’s hand in his own.

“Let’s be off minions of chaos!” He crowed before walking away leaving a steaming mad potions professor behind.

He heard Fon amusedly muttering “Minions of chaos? I am not Reborn.”

“Err… Do they really need proof even if they see you do it?” Neville asked once they were out of ear shot and Skull turned to him with a wicked smirk.

“Not at all. The rest of it was true so he really can’t take points, but he doesn’t have to have solid proof if he actually sees something, and if he read his contract, he would, in fact, know this but seeing as he wants to be ignorant and allow others to take advantage of him, well I would be doing him a disservice not to do it.” Skull said and Fon couldn’t help but to snort.

“We are going to have fun, no?” Fon asked with his own wicked smirk.

“I am glad you came back Skull.” Luna stated with a smile and Fon turned to level her with a look only to see her firmly in Enma…Neville’s? Arms. He blinked for a brief moment as she gave him a knowing smile.

He turned to look at his Cloudy-Sky who had come to a stop outside of a picture of what looked like a man trying to teach trolls to dance. Skull walked past it three times before a door appeared. A familiar door.

He was only slightly surprised to see the living room of the Arcobaleno’s manor. “Welcome Sempai to the Come and Go room, also known as the room of requirements!” Skull chirped happily as he sat himself into a large fluffy overstuffed armchair. His feet dangled over the side of it. Fon smiled at the welcomed familiar sight. A sight he had feared he would never again get the privilege of seeing. He ignored the other two as he removed Verde’s device.

To those who were not flame active, like Dumbledore who was latent, it would look as if he had suddenly grown several feet and his hair grew at a rapid pace as well as darkening from a dark brown to an inky black. To those like Skull and himself they would see nothing changing.

“Enma?” He prompted nodding over to Neville. He noticed the way the male had pulled the tiny blond into his lap.

“Enma.” Skull agreed with a nod. “The best I could figure it was Nev and I are tied together. He is the Earth to my Sky and vis versa. I am the Sky to his Earth. When I left the Wizarding World, he left with me and with him came his Desert.” He nodded to Luna who smiled dreamily.

“When I was dragged into the Mafia they stood beside me, and when I was cursed it had a side effect on them. You noticed the differences, I am sure?” Skull only half asked, and Fon nodded.

“The curse caused me to transform into a toddler, but it acted differently for them.” He shrugged almost helplessly. “Neville is the last in the Simon Family, so him becoming the tenth boss made sense. Luna is like my little sister, so she chose to join the Carcassa once I took over as the Don. Whatever ties us together surpassed even death so when I remembered, so did they. I can’t really explain it.”

Fon could see the lines around his Cloudy-Sky’s eyes. He thought Fon would be angry. Perhaps he would have been, but as it was now? No, he wasn’t angry. Skull was entitled to his secrets. Well…secrets that the others didn’t sniff out. That he had been able to hide these secrets for so long just showed how delightfully devious he was.

He stood from his seat and easily maneuvered Skull into his arms as he sat himself in the large chair.

Chapter Text

Life was good. Skull thought to himself from where he sat on Fon’s lap in the common room. The man was having a staring contest with a fuming Ginny. His smile firmly in place as one hand moved to caress Skull’s sides and the Cloudy-Sky pretended like he didn’t see the way her eyes twitched, and her nose flared in anger as he let out an exaggerated pleased sigh and snuggled into the man’s hold.

Inside he was cackling like mad. He shared an amused look with Neville who had a small smirk curving his lips. “Harry.” The red-haired pest purred in what he assumed was supposed to be a seductive tone. She tried to discreetly pull her top lower to show her cleavage.

Unfortunately for her he had spent decades with some of the most devious bastards the world had ever produced and most of them could do discreet in their sleep so her ‘discreet’ display was just about as discreet as wearing a neon sign that read ‘I want to get into your pants’.

“Can I help you?” He asked with an innocent look as she licked her bottom lip.

“Oh! Do you need a napkin? I told Fon you must not realize how bad red lipstick looks on you! You could have asked for a napkin rather than trying to lick it off!” He chirped and he could hear Neville snickering from behind the book as he rummaged around in his bag only for Fon to hand him a napkin.

He wasn’t even going to question why his Storm had one on hand.

“Wh….I’m not trying to lick it off!” Ginny snaped at him as her face flushed with anger and embarrassment and Fon pressed his face into the Cloudy-Sky’s hair. Skull could feel the larger male shaking but didn’t bother to try and quell his amusement. It served his own purpose after all.

“Then… you didn’t realize you looked like a clown?” He questioned and to any who didn’t know him he sounded almost sad. To those like Fon and Neville they could hear the tremble of suppressed laughter from the man. “I told you she didn’t know.” He ‘muttered’ loud enough for everyone to hear as he glanced behind himself at Fon whose eyes were alight with pure mischief.

“Perhaps she was licking her lips because she’s still hungry?” Fon said innocently. His eyes on Skull because if he looked at the clown trying to seduce Skull, he may kill her. As it was, he had a dozen accidents planed for her already.

“Should Fon and I go get you some food from the kitchen?” He asked looking at her. He knew from the first time around that Ginny was on one of her diets. She was barely pecking at her food. In another week her magazine would come out with a new fad, and she would be over it.

“I am not hungry!” She snarled with her fists on her hips as she glared at Fon who smiled back at her. “Why are you even sitting in his lap?” She growled at him as she crossed her arms over her chest and looked at Skull who blinked.

“Er…He looked lonely?” Skull shrugged but made it sound like a question. “He’s rather comfortable. I would have sat on Nev, but he complains about my boney ass. So...” He shrugged again as he trailed off.

“I looked lonely little one?” Fon asked with a smile as his eyes gleamed while he still looked at the female trying to take Skull’s attention off of him.

“Definitely.” Skull nodded with a superior look on his face.

“Does that mean you’re going to sleep with him again?” Neville chirped with a sigh as he pulled his book lower, and the room grew quiet, and Skull wanted to cackle. He could have kissed Neville for this bit of gold.

“Sleep…again?” Ginny chocked out sounding horrified and Neville nodded with a sigh.

“I don’t know how anyone else managed to sleep with Harry moaning last night.”

“Oh, we didn’t.” Seamus spoke up as his own eyes gleamed from where he sat.

“Not a wink.” Dean agreed.

“Fon! Yes! Please! Give it to me!” Seamus mimicked and Ginny turned a look of fury on her face as she ran from the room in a rage.

“It was the loudest card game I ever heard. Next time I don’t want to watch. You’re going to teach it to us mate.” Dean stated with a nod.

“It’s a mixture of a card game and a board game.” Skull nodded sagely. He couldn’t wait to see Dumble’s call him and Fon up for acting inappropriate. The old man truly thought he could force Skull to marry his pawn.

“You have minions?” Fon muttered into his ear, and he grinned as he looked towards his Storm. “Seamus and Dean. There not bad once you get to know them. I always thought Verde would enjoy meeting Seamus and Viper would get along with Dean. He doesn’t look it, but he is actually fairly gifted at ferreting out people’s secrets.” He shrugged as the brainless duo headed over after coming in from the portal.

“Hadrian James Potter! Get off of his lap this instant! What type of example are you trying to set for the younger years?” Hermione screeched at him with a look of fury. “You need to go and apologize to Ginny! Now!” She barked as she pointed to the door and the room once again grew silent.

“Um…no?” Skull said after a moment. “Why should I?” Really having her call, him by a name that wasn’t his was annoying.

“She just ran from here crying! Seeing the man, she’s in love with sitting on another man’s lap. Hearing him make fun of her makeup that she put on for you? You don’t think that is hurtful?” She snarled at him.

Skull couldn’t help it as he burst out laughing. Tears coming out of the corner of his eyes. “In love!” He guffawed after a moment. “If I worried about every girl who thinks she’s in love with me I would never go out with anyone. I can’t cater to the feelings of every person who thinks themselves in love with me. Nor should I have to. Fon is comfortable so I’ll be staying here.” He turned to face the Storm. “I’m not moving.” He said as if daring the Storm to argue.

“I wouldn’t dream of moving you.” Fon agreed amusedly.

“See. He doesn’t care so why should anyone else? As for her makeup. Why should I care about anybody’s makeup? She put it on. It’s not my fault she looks like a clown with it. I thought for sure she knew it when she licked her lips. I was trying to be nice. Unlike you, I care about how others feel. Imagine how much her feelings would be hurt had she walked out of here with no idea she looks like a clown? I didn’t know that was the look she was aiming for!”

He scowled at her before turning to look at Fon. “Come on! I want to go play upstairs!” He chirped and let out a very real shriek when the Martial Arts Master stood with him in his arms and headed upstairs.

Chapter Text

“Mr. Potter! Mr. Fēng bào. The headmaster would like to speak to you! Now!” Deputy Headmistress Minerva McGonagall snarled upon coming across them the next morning and Skull looked at the vastly amused storm.

Neither said much of anything as the woman led them to the staircase and snapped out the password. When it looked like she was about to refuse to go with them Skull let out a dramatic sigh.

“Professor.” He said in the same tone he talked to Verde when the mad scientist refused to sleep or eat like he should. “The bylaws…” He was cut off by an irritated hiss from the woman who followed them.

She struck her knuckles on the door and the old man’s jovial voice bade them to enter. Upon seeing only two seats he did what he would have done even if there were a dozen seats and placed himself on the Storm’s laps. The man’s arms coming up to wrap around his waist as he sat back in apparent comfort. Unconcerned with the old fool sitting across from them.

“Mr. Potter. Please sit in the empty seat. That will be all Minerva.” He said as he gave the woman a smile and her nostrils flared in anger.

“As Mr. Potter has repeatedly reminded me, I have to be here.” She snapped and the headmaster frowned.

“Then please take a seat.” He said after a moment as he sat forward. His fingers stappled together and a hard glint in his eyes as his magic swelled in the room. A show of his own anger. Fon was tempted to show the man what true power really was.

It was the sturdy hand on his leg that made him sit back. Over the last few days several things had become apparent to the man. Skull… Harry had been in desperate need of a protector the first time around and if he said the word, he would have the others here to wreak unholy vengeance on these…creatures. As it was, he was taking his que from his Sky… At least for the moment.

Come Christmas break there was going to be a rash of grisly murders across Europe. He had his fellow elements taking turns to scope out those of interest. However, should Skull actually leave his lap because of the old man he may end up strangling him with his own beard long before Viper had a chance to publish the information they had found.

“Mr. Potter.” The old man’s voice was firm and commanding as he conjured another seat.

“No thanks. I’m comfortable right here.” Skull chirped with a grin. “This shouldn’t take long after all. What can Fon and I do for you headmaster?” He asked with a faux innocence that told Fon his menace was ready to shred the old man apart.

“Ten points from Gryffindor for being defiant. Now I will ask you one more time to move yourself before I give both of you detention and take another twenty points.” The man called out and Skull blinked at him before sighing.

“Headmaster.” He scolded as if talking to a child. “There is no rule saying that I cannot sit in Fon’s lap. We are not in class, and it is the weekend. Meaning that I can sit on him if I want and there is nothing you can do about it. Now was there a reason you interrupted our morning, or shall Fon and I go and enjoy the rest of our day? We were about to go to Hogsmeade when Professor McGonagall called us.”

Skull watched the anger forming behind the old man’s façade. It was always worth the trouble to get under the skin of idiots with ideas that they were greater than god.

“I have had a report of the utmost shameful behavior.” The old man said sternly. His teeth clenched and his eyes twitched in a way that had Skull wondering if the man was trying to set them on fire. Or more to the point, Fon on fire. He saw the way the man was looking at his Storm as if his attitude was all the Storm’s fault.

The old man was about to be in for a rude awakening.

“You called us in here.” He said slowly as if sounding out the words and they still weren’t making any sense. “Because someone came to you with a complaint?”

“Having intercourse in the dorms is not a little matter Mr. Potter!” He thundered. “Your parents would be appalled at your behavior! They would be disappointed in the attitude you have had this year and angered at how you acted this summer. It stops now!”

Skull laughed. Oh, he knew just who was complaining to the old fool. “My parents, sir.” He said once he got his giggles under control. “are dead. They have been dead for well over a decade. That your trying to use them in order to make me… well I don’t even know why you're bringing them into any of this. As for intercourse. There are alarms set in all of the dormitories that would alert the head of house if someone was having intercourse with another. My first time is not going to be in a room surrounded by other boys.” He frowned at the old man for a moment more before taking a deep calming breath.

“The problem you seem to have with my attitude is that I keep calling you and your staff out for breach of contract. The rules are there for a reason. I’m not exploiting them. I’m simply making it clear that I will not allow myself to be punished for every imagined infraction.”

“You have never been punished for an imagined infraction!” Professor McGonagall snarled at him.

“Ten points from Gryffindor for breathing too loudly Mr. Potter.” Skull stated in his best mocking expression of Snape. “Imagine my surprise when I learned he could not take points for such a thing.” Skull shrugged. “Now, as I am sure you are aware unless we are here to discuss my schooling you have no right to keep either Fon or myself here. We do have plans.” He stated as he stood up and Fon followed suit.

“Fēng bào?” Skull questioned once they were out of hearing. His eyes danced with his mirth and Fon wanted to sigh.

“Skull.” He warned the menace.

“Your name literally means Storm. Really? You chose Storm?” He cackled madly. Had it been anyone else Fon would have put the man through the wall. As it was, he simply sighed in defeat.

“Reborn picked the name. Didn’t he?” Skull crowed delightedly.

“It is a fine name.” He argued for the sake of it.

“The only person worse than Reborn at naming people is Verde.” Skull shook his head. “You would have ended up being called hóng sè fēng bào.”

“We did discuss that for a name.” He conceded and couldn’t help but to feel amused.

“Then I agree. Fon Storm is better than Fon Red Storm.” He laughed and Fon idly wondered if he kissed the menace if it would shut him up or encourage him. With Skull it was hard to tell. He sighed as the smaller male cackled a small grin on his face. It was good to see his precious one so happy, even if it was at his own expense.

Chapter Text

Skull’s smile widened even further as they made their way over to the cave, they were supposed to meet the others in. Verde was writing in a familiar tablet. Reborn was leaning against the wall with a feral smile on his lips as he read over Vipers notes. Lal and Colonnello were sitting on the floor, taking apart, and putting back together several guns. Fon handed each the assessments they had Skull complete as Skull took a seat against the wall across from Reborn.

“Your late lackey.” Reborn called out and Skull snorted.

“The head of the Flaming chickens thought it was time to try and personally manipulate me. His little pets told him Fon and I were having sex in the dorms.” He said flippantly and a gunshot rang out as Fon dodged an onslaught of bullets.

“We weren’t.” He said with amusement as he watched Lal and Colonnello join in on trying to shoot the Storm.

“You better not be Kora.” Colonnello called out with a scowl on his face as he lowered the gun. A few more shots from Lal and Reborn sounded before the other two lowered their weapons with a dark glare aimed at the man.

“I do have more class than to allow my first time ever to be in a dorm filled with other boys. I am not an exhibitionist. Thank you.” He sighed as he made give me hands at Reborn who still held Vipers notes. The Sun handed them over and ruffled his mop of black hair.

“This one first!” He cheered after looking them all over. “Let’s start unraveling him from the beginning. I think a reminder that the all-knowing Albus Dumbledore failed to pass his sixth year and had to re-take the exam later that summer should do very nicely. We’ll build up to his utter incompetence. Then go to how he has unlawfully implemented rules that do not exist giving himself more power over the school than he is supposed to have as a political figurehead. We won’t even have to slant it. The facts speak for themselves.”

Viper smirked in amusement as they planned the beginning of the old man’s downfall. “Mu, Here.” They said they created a portal and Hedwig flew out. After getting her back from the know-it-all book worm he had sent his precious owl to Viper. He didn’t trust the headmaster nor the man’s peons not to try something. Besides, this way she was safe. “She misses you.”

“Thanks Viper.” Skull said as he gently hugged his familiar who trilled and fussed over him. He missed the way his old friend would treat him as if he were one of her chicks. She was beautiful.

The Arco’s soon found themselves in conversations, their eyes only occasionally trailing over to their Cloudy-Sky who was talking to his familiar with silent tears slipping down his face. Verde, upon seeing Fon about to head over to offer comfort to the small menace had jerked the man around and sat on his back. Soon joined by the others in an effort to afford Skull some peace away from the Storm.

“Watch out for her please?” Skull questioned as he gently handed his old friend back to his Mist who gave a firm nod. Skull smiled at them. He would have to do something special for his Mist who didn’t even charge him. “Fon and I have to be getting back to school. When can we expect the first article?”

“Later this week at the latest. Tomorrow if I can arrange it.” Viper said after a moment’s thought. And Skull nodded.

“Lackey, we’re sending you some homework through Fon. Make sure you do it.” Reborn said as he pulled Skull into a tight hug. Skull smiled as he returned the man’s embrace. This was a side to his bastards that very few were ever privileged to see. “We’ll see you at Christmas.”

“Don’t take all of my fun Sempai.” Skull called out as Reborn released him and Verde took his place.

“I don’t know what you’re talking about.” Verde stated with a look of amusement.

“Ah hu. I saw the article about several key members going missing. I know your handy work when I see it.”

“It is hardly my fault I needed to test some experiments and they were begging to be of use.”

Skull snorted as Colonnello pulled him from the scientist’s arms and around and around he went. Giving his family hugs and saying his goodbyes. “Why are you hugging him, Kora?” Colonnello demanded of the Storm. “You get to go back to school with him.”

“Don’t pout.” Fon stated with amusement, as he lifted his head to smile at the male Rain before he swept Skull into his arms and began the trek down towards Hogsmeade with Skull carried bridal style in his arms. He faintly heard the Rain whine about shooting him and had to snigger.

He had missed this. Skull had brought a bunch of hard criminals together and turned them into family. He would not give up his Sky for all the power in the world. Skull was everything to him, and if he had too, he would kill Luce before she was allowed to give birth to the mother of the girl responsible for Skull’s death.

Chapter Text

It took two days for Vipers article to hit the school and Skull cackled as he read it. It was beautifully done.

Albus Dumbledore a bully who failed to pass sixth year exams:

You heard it right readers. Albus Dumbledore, known for his brilliance failed to pass his sixth-year exams. Imagine my surprise when an owl flew into my office with the beloved headmaster’s exam scores. Not a single O in any of them and those that he did not outright fail came very close to it.

Thinking that perhaps this was a hoax I went digging for information. I hunted down his reports from his school years and his professors did not have any complementary things to say.

One such was: Mr. Dumbledore is very bright, when he wishes to exert himself. Unfortunately, he rarely wishes to. He never turns his homework in on time and trying to talk to his mother is like pulling teeth from a werewolf. I fear just where he is going with such a lazy attitude.

Another professor noted this: Mr. Dumbledore is a bully. He often bullies the other children and tries to scare them into doing as he says. Yesterday he placed his younger brother in the Hospital wing when the young man stood up against him trying to force a first year into being his dog. The headmaster has threatened expulsion if Mr. Dumbledore does not shape up.

Seeing these notes, I went to dig further. Albus Dumbledore has the largest number of detentions and point deductions for bullying and failure to turn in work that was ever recorded. I went to hunt down several old classmates to try and get to the bottom of this. I was sure there was a mistake.

I found several classmates more than willing to talk to me. Most wished to be anonymous.

One classmate had this to say:

“There is a reason most adults from Slytherin have no love for the man. I remember going to school with him. He was a cruel boy. He once pushed a first-year girl down the second-floor stairs because she was in his way. Broke the girl’s arm in three places and laughed about it with his cronies after. He was seventeen at the time.

Horrified and sure that there was some misunderstanding I went in search of the truth.

I had this confirmed by no less than five people dear readers. I tried to hunt down the young miss but only found her grandson. A nice young half-blood who lives in Italy. The man asked to go by his pseudo name because he likes his anonymity. So, for the sake of keeping his identity secret we will refer to him as R.

“Albus Dumbledore. Yes, I remember hearing about him from my mother. Her mother, my Nonna went to Hogwarts for her first year where Mr. Dumbledore pushed her down a flight of stairs. The professors claimed it was an accident but there were a few people who saw it. It was no accident but nothing other than a single detention ever came of it and Nonna was so distraught every time she saw him that her parents pulled her from that school and enrolled her in Marcellus institute of Magic right here in Rome.” The young man gave a wistful sigh and shook his head.

“Did you go to Hogwarts?” I asked him and he shook his head and gave me a smile. The brave dear looked so very sad at that.

“No ma’am. My Nonna’s family have been Slytherin’s for centuries before that incident and it is not lost on us that the headmaster has no love for those in the Snake Pit. If he, a seventh year would push a first year down a flight of steps what would he do with power over the rest of us?” He asked me with a wistful sigh, and he obviously had something bothering him. It took some gentle prodding to get the young man to open up.

“My Nonna, ma’am. Before she passed, she would mutter about how Dumbledore was ruining the school. How some of the things she saw in the papers was against the laws and bylaws of the school. A magical contract he was sworn to uphold.” The young man paused before giving me a sheepish smile. “I am sure it’s not true. I mean why would he do such a thing as break a binding contract like that?” The young man asked.

Unfortunately, I had to leave soon after but make no mistake dear readers I will be looking into just what kind of man is around our children.

V. Nickolas,

Special correspondence for the Daily Prophet

“Remind me to stock up on strawberry milk and those chocolates Viper loves so much.” Skull said in between gasps for air. He didn’t know if Reborn was actually related to the girl, but this was priceless. He was only mildly surprised the others had not made their way into an interview but seeing as this was only the first of many articles, he didn’t doubt they would end up being ‘interviewed.’

Skull felt Fon laughing into his hair. Those long arms firmly holding him in a position that offered the man a sense of peace. Skull could still see the tightness around the man’s eyes when they weren’t touching. The way the man acted as if he was going to vanish without an anchor holding him down. His heart ached for the pain he had unwillingly caused to his Storm.

“Shall we go to breakfast and see the stir their article has caused?” Fon inquired and Skull chirped as he stood from the man’s lap and allowed him to put an arm around his waist, pulling Skulls smaller form into his side before walking to the great hall.

Chapter Text

“Mr. Potter, I would like a word with you.” The squeaky voice of the Charms professor called as he and Fon got ready to leave the classroom. The article had made waves over the last few days and Skull was enjoying the utter chaos.

“Sure professor.” Skull agreed with a smile and tried to pull his hand from where Fon had it intertwined with his own. Only the Storm wasn’t budging. He wanted to roll his eyes and had opened his mouth to talk Fon into allowing his to talk to his all-time favorite professor when the small male laughed.

“You as well. I wouldn’t dream of taking Mr. potter from you. It is rather good to see one taking such interest in their Sky.” Professor Flitwick stated and Fon’s eyes flared red as he pulled Skull tighter into his embrace and followed the man to his office. If he was going to be a problem, well Fon knew how to deal with those. A small, unmarked grave in the conveniently close Forest would work wonderfully.

The professor indicated for them to take a seat across from the nearby desk and took out his wand, putting up a number of privacy wards and a ward to alert them if someone came within a set distance. He then took a seat at the large mahogany desk and looked completely unconcerned with the Storm sitting across from him. He smiled as he lifted a hand and indigo fire flared to life for only a brief moment before he put his hand down.

“Your Flame Active.” Skull said with a tilt of his head and the man grinned as he dropped the Mist illusion, he had interwoven around himself to reveal a more goblin like appearance. His teeth became a bit more pointed, his ears longer.

“Most people assume I have Goblin ancestry somewhere down my line. My father, like myself is Flame active and hides his full blood Goblin status with Mist illusions.” The man agreed with a nod, “but that is not what I wanted to talk to you about.” He gave them a smile as he handed over a stack of folders and curious as to what it was Skull opened it and a large shark like grin spread across his lips.

“I have never agreed with the way Albus, and Minerva run this school. Before he took over as a teacher there was a number of us students who didn’t have complete human parents. He has worked diligently to bar the door to us. This is a list of the many infractions I have seen over the years.”

“Why?” Fon asked as he tilted his head to the side as inspected the man.

“As you know Sky Flames run in families. I had not had a Sky for a very many years until this first-year girl came here. Her name was Lily Even’s, and she was my Sky.” The man sounded so proud as Skull’s head jerked up to look at him. His mouth hung wide.

“My mother….” He paused not even able to finish and the small male nodded.

“She was a Sky. My Sky. It is a terrible thing for an element to lose their Sky, but I swore I would see you safe from the likes of Albus and Voldemort, but when you came here, I knew I had failed before I even had a chance to try. You were so caught up in Albus’s greater good I didn’t see any way to pull you away from him, but I swore if I couldn’t save you, I would make sure Albus, and his cronies were exposed for what they truly are. When you came here this year I knew. I knew you were Flame Active. I could feel the Sky Flames coming off of you with the same warmth and all-consuming love as your mother. I could also see you were well and truly bonded. The bonds are too strong to be only just activated.”

There wasn’t anything accusing in the man’s voice. Just a soft and gentle acknowledgement. “That being said, I have some ties to both the Mafia and the Triads, so imagine my surprise when the Triads most feared enforcer showed up and was claiming to be a sixteen-year-old student.” He grinned a devilish smirk and Skull couldn’t stop the small giggle from escaping as he looked at the man.

“Professor Flitwick, please allow me to formally introduce you to the World’s strongest Storm and the only neutral enforcer of the Triads. Fon.” Skull held such pride as he looked at the Storm that Fon couldn’t stop himself from moving, scooping the smaller male up into his arms before sitting back down.

“World’s strongest…” The professor said with his lips pursed and a look of worry in his eyes. “That is not a title I would brandish about. Nor indeed one I would wish for.”

Skull snuggled back into the hold if his Storm and let out a sigh. The Professor was his mother’s Mist. That made them family as far as he was concerned. “In a couple of years my elements and I will be called by the man in the iron hat and cursed into the forms of toddlers.” He stated and the small male’s eyes widened with a look of horror.

“The Arcobaleno’s curse. The Curse of the strongest seven Flame users. Luce Giglio Nero will take the Sky pacifier which she will pass to her daughter Aria, who will pass it to her daughter Yuni who will betray us to our deaths. Hitman Reborn, the World’s strongest Sun and Greatest Hitman will hold the Sun Pacifier. Verde the Lightning. Viper the Mist. Colonnello and Lal Mirch the Rain’s. Fon the Storm and finally myself for the Cloud.”

A thunderous look took over the professor’s face. “She used up the position of the actual Sky of the set?” He hissed in fury.

“Dumbledors granddaughter is much like the man himself. All about the ‘Greater good’ without a care for those she hurts in the process.” Skull agreed and watched the man’s eyes widen as he whipped his head up to stare at him.

“Dumble….” He couldn’t finish and Skull nodded.

“The seer blood was fading. They needed a way to strengthen it and Dumbledore was considered the strongest of his time. He agreed to father the child so long as a few concessions were made. It gave him an in too the Underworld and a number of assassins should he have need of them. Did you never think it odd that those who tried to expose the old man ended up dead?”

The small man opened his mouth only to close it and gulp. “If you had tried to bring these grievances to light, he would have had you killed. Had you tried to step in and cause his pawn to turn from him, well you would end up dead.” Skull stated matter-of-factly as he looked into the other man’s eyes. “He has assassins and there not all wizards.” He paused for only a moment before looking at the folders sitting innocently.

“You’re not afraid he will come after you?” The Professor asked and Fon tensed even as Skull gave a wicked grin.

“Oh, he was planning for my death long before now.” Skull said with a twisted smile on his face. “He needs me alive more than he wants me dead at the moment and he knows it, but yea. Eventually he does have my death planed. In fact, he expects me to walk willingly to it like a good martyr.”

Chapter Text

Fon was furious. He had lost his Sky once; he was not going to lose him again. He was tempted to put the old man in his grave before he could make a move to hurt his precious one. The flippant way Skull had talked about it…he needed to contact the others. Now. Before Skull could get some idea into his head. He cornered Enma and Stâncă.

“I need to contact the others. You will not allow Skull out of your sight.” He more ordered than asked and they nodded in agreement. Their instinct screamed that if something happened while the man was gone, they would wish he had killed them.

Fon did not bother issuing a threat. If anything happened to Skull, there would be no place for the Earth to hide. He could see the knowledge of this in the man’s eyes.

“I can stay with Skull. Enma should go with you. Your set will want answers and Skull will be reluctant to give them.” Stâncă stated dreamily as she flounced off. Fon eyed the Earth for a brief moment. He would prefer it if Skull had someone capable left here while he was gone but was reminded after a moment that the girl was his second in command and he would not be gone long. As it was his instincts were demanding he hide his Sky away and deal with those who dared to think themselves a threat to him.

“Luna won’t allow anything to happen to him.” Enma sighed after a moment and Fon let a not so nice smile slide across his face.

“She had better not.” He said as he took out a Mist made beacon from under his shirt. He pushed his Flames into it for a moment before feeling it click and a Mist portal opened. He held out a hand towards it while eyeing the Earth.

Neville barely stopped himself from rolling his eyes at the paranoid man before he stepped through. “Mu, you’re not Fon.” A cloaked figured stated and he felt like he was being inspected.

“Skull was keeping secrets.” Fon stated amusedly as he came into the room a moment later. “Enma Kozato, meet Skull’s Mist Viper. Viper you remember the Earth?” He smiled at the Mist and could feel their glare.

“I am going to charge Skull for this.” They hissed in agitation and Fon gave a smile that he knew would infuriate the Mist. He was not disappointed.

“Why are you here?” They demanded icily and Fon’s ever-present smile faded as he was reminded of why he used the emergency portal to take him to Viper.

“The old man is trying to get Skull killed.” He stated and watched the rage burn through his Mist. “Enma is an old school friend of Skull’s who has answers that we need in order to deal with the threat. I thought it prudent to bring him for some answers.”

Viper snarled as they created a portal and forcefully brought the others to them. Fon motioned the Earth to sit on the nearby couch and gazed around the room.

He was not at all surprised to find it sparsely decorated. Viper was not one to spend frivolously. There was a simple leather couch against the far wall. A coffee table and a television. A single overstuffed lazy boy chair sat cattycorner from the couch. A chair he knew was purchased with Skull in mind. A new laptop was sitting on the coffee table and Fon knew it was one of Verde’s newest creations. A smirk slid across his lips.

It would be just like his Lightning and Mist to use their knowledge of the future to capitalize on things that would one day belong in every household. He wouldn’t be surprised at all to start seeing things being sold well before they should have been.

“We are not draining the Lackey’s accounts.” Viper stated as if the Storm had said something judgmental and Fon snorted.

“I didn’t say we were going to.” He said and idly he wondered how they had not killed each other when Skull had… when Skull died.

“What’s with the Kozato look alike?” Reborn asked as he tossed himself into the large purple chair. His eyes gleaming as they took Enma in, and the Earth let out a sigh of annoyance.

How Skull could tolerate these assholes he didn’t know. “Neville Longbottom but you would know me better as Enma Kozato. Tenth boss of the Simon Famiglia. Currently sixth year Gryffindor.” He introduced himself. “Skull was looking forward to introducing us properly.”

The look of mild amusement turned into interest as the man shot forward, his fedora pushed up and his eyes burned yellow with his Flames. “There is no need for me to ask any of your names. I know who all of you are.” He said as his gaze flickered over the World’s strongest Sky set.

“As interesting as this is.” Verde stated coldly as he eyed Fon and Viper. “Why are we here and why is Skull left alone?”

“Apparently Enma’s Desert is Skulls second in command Stâncă. She is with Skull. As for why we are here….” He trailed off as fury shot through him.

“Skull let it slip that the old man is planning his death.”

The room was filled with the wrath of the Elements and Neville, for once in his life could see just how strong these people were. Logically he had known of course. One did not get as far as these people had by being week. But the feelings of their Flames? They would have brought him to his knees had he been standing.

“Skull said the old man was planning for him to sacrifice himself. For him to willingly walk to his death.” Fon stated softly.

“That explains why you brought him.” Reborn stated after a moment of silence. “You are going to tell us every detail you remember from the first time around.” His yellow eyes flickered to the enraged Mist and Lightning. “How close are you to creating a device that would make the wearer seem to have magic?” He questioned and the lightning paused for only a brief moment while he thought it over.

Verde had spent the better part of his life creating the device but coming back and having Skull in a school away from them had brought the idle hobby into a full-blown need. Viper had not even charged him when he asked for their help with it.

 “It won’t hold up to close scrutiny, but I doubt any of the fools will be looking that closely.” He stated finally.

“Mu, I have the papers to make the transfers from the magical schools in Rome, America, Germany, and France. I will charge you for them.” They warned and Reborn inclined his head in agreement.

“Now, Kozato. Why don’t you tell us about Skull’s sixth and seventh years, hum?” He questioned and Neville wished Luna had not told these bastards he would go. They were a scary lot.

Chapter Text

Reborn frowned as he eyed the Earth who fiddled with his fingers. He was tempted to make the man repeat himself because surely, he had heard wrong. He could feel the Flames of the others licking at his own. Feeding the inferno of pure chaotic fury.

“The old fucker set Skull up to die.” He stated and the man nodded jerkily.

“Viper.” He snarled without looking away from the Earth. “You are going to tear apart every book on soul magic you can find. I want a way to get that parasite out of our Sky.”

The Earth fidgeted before a sigh left his lips and he lowered his head even further, making himself as small a target as possible before speaking. “Skull wanted to know, after everything if there had been a better way. It’s why we joined the Circus. It was much easier to slip into other countries. There was. We found it in Scandinavia. There’s a text in the Alexandria Library that talks about Soul magic and removing parasitic soul’s from living organisms. At first, we didn’t think anything about it, because it was only a single copy but after coming back to read it one of the librarians told us that the goblin’s have the original copy and for a small fee, they would lend it to us.” He paused and took a deep breath. “When we asked the Goblin’s about it, they placed us in a room and had us sign a log. Dumbledore’s name was on it.”

Reborn snarled as he pulled his gun and shot it several times, destroying the television in his fury. “I am going to put a fucking bullet through the eye socket of that fucker Kora.” Colonnello snarled from where he sat his own fingers twitching to pull his gun out and kill something. Or preferably to kill the fucker targeting his Sky.

“Stand in line.” Reborn snarked with a sneer as he looked at the male Rain. He inhaled and exhaled as he pondered just what needed to happen.

He should be making a name for himself. Keeping himself as the top dog of the Mafia, but he could easily take back his spot once his Sky was safe and kill any foolish enough to try and take his title. He breathed deeply as he thought his way through the different scenarios and weighed the pros and cons before settling back into his seat.

“Here is what we are going to do.” He stated after a moment as he looked at the others sitting, waiting for him. “Lal and Colonnello you two are going to start hunting down the soul pieces. Once we have them all together, we’ll see just how they hold up when facing Storm Flames.”

The two didn’t even argue they nodded in acceptance of their given mission.

“Viper I need you to monitor the Mafia and print those articles. Skull wants the man to lose everything before he dies, and I don’t want him breathing any longer than he has to be.

“I will do it for Skull.” Viper stated after a moment. They didn’t like working for free, but for Skull? They would give up all of the wealth they had ever accumulated. Reborn nodded, he could accept that.

“Verde. You and I will be joining Fon and the Lackey. I hope your invention can stand up to the likes of these idiots.”

He turned to look at Fon. To those who didn’t know the man they would see nothing different about him, but to Reborn? The man had a look of utmost relief on his face.

“The bat Kora? We leaving him for the Lackey or can we gut him?”

“I am going to break him.” Verde stated. His voice dark with his fury and his eyes glinted dangerously behind his glasses. “He thinks himself so smart? Let’s see how he fares against the likes of me.”

“I thought Skull wanted to kill the fucker.” Lal stated with amusement and Verde snorted.

“I’m not nearly as kind as Skull. If he wishes to kill the man after I’m done with him than so, be it. No. I want the man to spend an eternity in a living nightmare. I won’t be satisfied until he is nothing but a drooling broken man begging for me to end his miserable pathetic existence.”  

A dark blood thirsty grin twisted the multitude of faces and Neville felt a chill go down his spine.

On one hand he pitied the man.

On the other hand, he had brought this on himself.

Chapter Text

Albus Dumbledore sat behind his desk and rubbed his head. He had received no less than fifty-two howlers over the last few days from parents. An agitated sigh left his lips as he glared darkly at the wall with the former headmaster’s portraits.

These stupid sheep needed to be reminded of their place. So, what if he had pushed a filthy little snake down the stairs. It wasn’t as if he had killed her. Besides it had been decades ago. Why should it matter now when no one had cared then?

His eyes trailed over to the newspaper article sitting innocently on his desk. He had his beloved granddaughter searching for the author of it. Her men were set to kill the blasted idiot before they could cause him any more headaches. V. Nickolas. He sneered at it as a knock sounded on his door. With a heavy sigh he schooled his face and put on his benign smile.

“Enter.” He called out with a cheerful smile.

“Albus Dumbledore, the headmaster.” Minerva stated as she entered with two young men. The new transfers. He barely withheld a sigh. He had tried to deny the entrance, but the school board had gotten involved. They did not want a scandal of handling things inappropriately after the article and had demanded that he accept them.

“Fernando Vincenzo.” She nodded to a young man with dark brown hair and sharp nearly black eyes who smiled in a way that screamed the man was a born Slytherin.

“Andreas Gerhard.” She indicated the other boy. He wore the common school robes with a white coat over the top. Spikey brown hair and cold grey eyes that hid behind a pair of spectacles.

He wanted to swear and curse the idiots in the Ministry. He did not need any more of those slimy snakes in his castle.  Instead, he gave the two sixteen-year old’s his best grandfatherly look. “Thank you, Minerva. Mr. Vincenzo, Mr. Gerhard it’s a pleasure to host you in my school. Please come and take a seat and we will get you soared into your houses.” He chuckled jovially and indicated for the German boy to take the first seat.

“How interesting. I don’t think I have ever been asked to sort a squib. Ah, you’re not to fond of that word. No, no. I don’t think you should be either. It was created to scorn those who were born without the gift. Perhaps you would like the original word better. Utan.”

Verde thought the word over for a moment before mentally nodding. He did find Utan a better alternative than squib.

“Sort me into the house of the Lackey.” He ordered after a moment.

“You are not Gryffindor material. You would do well as a Ravenclaw.”

Verde snorted at the absurdity of the hat arguing with him. “As you have already pointed out, Hat. I am not a Wizard. I am a Utan. I have no need for silly things like wand waving and incantations. I am here to deal with that blasted bat and the old man who thinks attacking my Sky is a good idea.”

“I see. They have made themselves some powerful enemies. I could sort you into Slytherin. It would make your mission easier. Wouldn’t it?” The hat cajoled and Verde gave it a mental unimpressed look that had the thing chuckling into his head.

“Where is the fun in making things easy? Besides I don’t trust the other two bastards to properly protect the Lackey. Nor do I trust them to see to his education.”

The hat let out a laugh inside of his head. “In that case…. It better be: GRYFFINDORE!”

Verde smirked as he handed the hat over to Reborn who gave him a cool smirk.

“I am not even surprised.” The Hat stated and Reborn could feel the things amusement. “Are you going to argue with me as well about placing you in Slytherin?”

“Don’t ask stupid questions Hat. It’s beneath you. Place me with the Lackey and I’ll ensure your school year will be infinitely more interesting.”

“I don’t think I have ever missorted such a large group of people. Young Harry, his Storm, Lightning, and Sun. What’s next? His hedge and muggles?” The hat asked and Reborn could feel the thing mentally shaking its non-existent head. “I expect absolute chaos and pain for the old man. Hogwarts is very fond of Mr. Potter and wants its share of revenge on the young Sky’s behalf.

“Absolute chaos.” Reborn agreed as it once more yelled for Gryffindor. He saw the look of surprise in the old man’s eyes as he handed the hat back over.

“Minerva, if you could see our new young Lions to their common room, please?” Albus beamed at the woman who had her lips pursed and was eyeing the hat like she knew it must have malfunctioned. He happened to agree with the thought.

He had never been wrong about houses before. He had been positive these two were Snakes. There could be no doubt about it. He had seen the cunning look in their eyes. The cold and calculated way they had stood there. No, there was no two thoughts about it. They were Slytherin to the core. Much the same as the newest pain in his ass was.

Which reminded him. He was going to need to deal with Mr. Fēng bào. The poor boy’s unfortunate death would put Potter back where he belonged. Young love, what a tragedy it would be to lose one such as theirs.  As it were the poor boy would need comforting, and he knew the perfect girl to give the boy what he so desperately needed. Perhaps, it was fortuitous that these two mis-sorted boys had come. He could easily blame the deaths on them. He smirked to himself. The thought had merit.

…..

Minerva McGonagall had better things to do then to show the two newest members of her house around so when she spied her favorite student not far from the headmaster’s office, she called out to her. “Miss. Granger!”

“Can I help you professor?” Hermione asked as she eyed the two boys standing next to her head of house with interest. One wore the traditional attire, the other looked like a muggle doctor.

“These are Mr. Vincenzo, and Mr. Gerhard. I want you to show them to the common room and I trust you to fill them in on the rules.”

“Of course, professor.” Hermione stated with a look of pride as her head of house turned to the two new transfer students.

“Gentlemen this is Miss. Hermione Granger. A sixth-year prefect. She will show you to the dormitory. I expect you to listen to her.” She ordered and didn’t wait for any questions as she headed towards her office.

Verde and Reborn shared a dark grin as the girl turned on her heels with a look of superiority. This was the bitch who decided Skull was nothing more than a child for her to order around. The one who became angry and accused the Lackey of cheating if he dared to do better than her? It was nice to have a face to go with the title.

They didn’t pay any attention to the words the girl spewed. The poor thing really did think she was better than everyone else. They saw the few people they got close to scatter once they saw her, looks of pity on their faces as they eyed the two, she was leading.

Reborn shared a devious look with his Lightning. They were going to enjoy teaching the little bitch humility. They might walk around as if they were superior, but they had earned it. With sweat, tears, blood, and heartache. They had killed their way into being the best. This child had nothing on them. Nothing on the softness of their Sky.

It was about time someone taught her how insignificant she truly was.

Chapter Text

Skull wanted to laugh as he eyed the two new transfer students standing with Hermione who looked beyond angry as she argued with them about why she was right. He wasn’t even sure what they were arguing about, seeing as they had only just entered the Dorm together. He could see the satisfied look on Reborn’s face as Verde finally had enough of whatever crap Hermione was spewing.

“You are an uneducated, idiotic child. Whatever brain you may have had in your head has vanished beyond the pillar of self-righteousness. The only limit to magic is the limit you place on it. Dark magic.” He scoffed at her. “There is no such thing as Light and Dark magic. It is intent. A banishing spell is considered light, but it would not take anyone very long to banish your rib cage and kill you. Grow a brain.” He snarled as he turned and stalked over to where Skull sat in Fon’s lap.

He didn’t waste any time plucking Skull up and sitting next to the Storm while cuddling his Sky. “If these are the type of idiots you had to deal with then I wonder just how you managed to survive to make it to us.” He grumbled into Skull’s ear.

“You didn’t tell me you and Reborn were coming to Hogwarts.” Skull said with a small smile towards the man who scoffed at him.

“As if I would leave your education in their dubious hands.”

“You can give him back.” Fon stated and got a dark look from the Lightning who had stolen his Sky from him.

“Or you can hand him over to me.” Reborn’s sly voice stated, and Skull was plucked from the Lightning and tucked into Reborn’s arms.

“Lackey.” He greeted right before a screech sounded and Skull let out a sigh as he looked to where Ginny stood with hands on her hips. Her face flushed with pure undiluted anger. Her eyes wide with fury.

“Get your hands off of him!” She snarled at Reborn. Spittle flew from her mouth and Hermione stood next to her. A dark look in the brunet’s eyes as she looked from Skull to Fon to Verde and finally to Reborn who smirked as he tightened his hold.

“Do you know these pests, Harry?” She demanded with clear distaste as her eyes swept back towards Verde and a look of loathing covered her visage.

“We’ve known each other for a while.” Skull stated with a half shrug but didn’t bother to try and make Reborn let him go.

“I said!” Ginny snarled, “for you to get your hands off of him!”

Reborn’s eyes flashed as he looked at the red-haired pain in the ass. “Who’s the banshee?” He asked looking at Fon who smirked from his seat.

“An insignificant pest who is deluded into thinking Harry is interested in her. Her shrill voice and her delusional attitude remind me of Bianchi.” Fon shrugged watching in amusement as the girl’s face flared as red as her hair in anger. He idly wondered if she knew she looked like a large swollen balloon.

“Lackey?” Reborn mumbled into Skull’s ear with a pleading tone that told the Cloudy-Sky his Sun wanted to cause some chaos.

“You can’t kill her.” He muttered too low for anyone else to hear. “Not while were in school.” He amended at the pout he could see forming on the hitman’s face.

Reborn grinned an unholy look in his eyes as he swept Skull off his feet and the smaller male let out a startled shriek.

“Harry!” The banshee called; her voice shook with her fury. “I know you are trying to make me jealous. It’s sweet but I broke up with Terry already. I am more than willing to give you a chance with me. So, tell that barbarian that you’re in a relationship and come over to me. We can go talk to the headmaster about them manhandling you. Afterwards I will let you take me on a date to Hogsmeade. You can properly make it up to me that you allowed that…thing,” she sneered looking at Fon. “To take so much of your time. I know he convinced you it was a good idea in order to make me see how much I still wanted you, but I never stopped wanting you. I love you.”

Reborn felt fury burn through him. She was going to ‘let’ Skull take her out? He would ‘take her out’. Right to a shallow grave. He gently placed the Lackey into the Storms arms. Seeing the man’s eyes flash red with utter fury. They locked eyes for only a brief moment, and he smirked as he pressed a kiss to Skull’s lips. Hearing the furious hiss from the little pest who was gearing up to make a tirade.

He turned around and the stupid chit’s mouth snapped shut as her eyes widened and she took a step back. Right into the know-it-all. He briefly entertained the idea of painting the room with their blood. Unfortunately, it would have to wait.

“How kind of you.” He stated with a smile that never boded anyone any good. His eyes swept around the room for only a moment before coming back to land on the two idiots. “How…egotistical of you.” He purred as he took a step forward and the idiot stepped back as his grin stretched dangerously. “Harry can’t possibly be interested in anyone else, can he? He’s only doing it to get your attention. You’re going to ‘give him a chance?’ as if you haven’t been flinging yourself at him.” He sneered at her.

“Tell me.” He said seductively as he came to a stop in front of her. His large hand reached out to trail over her cheek. “Are you hoping he will take you out to the more lucrative and expensive restaurant? Buy you all the jewels your heart desires. Proudly show you off and buy you all the things your heart desires?” He questioned and wanted to sneer at the way her eyes dilated. He pulled back as the idiot nodded.

“Yes. That’s what I want.” She breathed the words out almost pleadingly and he smirked dangerously.

“Of course, it is. You deserve the best. Yes?” He asked “Harry will give it to you. He owes it to you, doesn’t he?” He asked and again the girl nodded. Forgetting the others watching her.

“You poor thing.” He muttered with a sad head shake. “Harry cannot give you what you want. He’s the type to be taken out. Dressed up and left hanging on the arm of a real man. He’s beautiful in a way you could never hope to compare. But I do thank you for telling everyone just what it is you truly want.” He stated as the girl shook her head and her eyes widened.

Somedays being a Legilimens was a wonderful thing. A true Legilimens could delve into the mind and force the person to tell the truth. He turned and whistled as he walked away, plucking his Sky up and heading towards the shared dorm.

He could hear the sheer chaos from the rest of the Lion’s den as they angrily tore into the red-haired bitch. He wasn’t done with her, of course. She wanted Skull for all of the wrong reasons, and he was going to destroy her for it. He would leave the brunet to Verde to deal with.

“Fuck! Sempai!” Skull called as he dumped his Sky onto his bed and got a laugh from the smaller form. “That was priceless! I thought she was going to faint when you kissed me!”

“That wasn’t a kiss, Lackey.” Reborn snorted cheerfully. “That was barely a peck on your lips. I’ll leave actually kissing your smart mouth to someone else.” He said as he looked around the room and began to rearrange the beds. There was no way in hell he was leaving Skull’s bed beside Fon’s. He moved it in between his own and Verde. At least the Lightning would not try to take advantage of the Lackey’s innocence.

Chapter Text

Fon looked at his bed, pushed as far away from Skull’s as Reborn could get it while Verde grinned at him and Reborn reclined in his own bed, right where Fon’s had been. Skull, his lovely little menace of a Sky, was bent over one of Reborn’s assignments. His quill pressed in between his teeth and a look of concentration on his lovely face.

Did the Sun really think that was going to keep him away? He wondered to himself in amusement as he dressed for bed. He did not particularly enjoy sleeping in a dorm room. It was too open, and too many unknowns. He was however very glad Verde and Reborn had joined them. At least with two others who could help protect Skull he might be able to get some sleep.

Even better. He thought to himself as a wicked idea came to mind. He didn’t pay any attention to the other boys piling into the room or the pathetic red head who was steaming mad and stomping his foot like a child.

He smirked as he climbed onto Skull’s bed, reaching out to pull the smaller form against him and look over his shoulder at the assignment. It was Runes. Leave it to Reborn, he mentally snorted as he looked at the different arrangements Skull was supposed to identify and group.

“This one is wrong.” He pointed to a symbol and watched Skull cutely scrunch his nose as he eyed it.

“Harry.” Fon heard the red-haired idiot number two call out and looked up to see the child scowling from the side of the bed. His long-freckled arms crossed over his chest and a mean look on his face. He watched the moron who tried and failed to school his face into a mask.

“I get your upset mate. We should have written to you, but Hermione and I were talking, and we agree your acting childish. So, what, we didn’t write for a couple of months. The headmaster told us not to and you know my folks would have been angry if I went against him. He’s the headmaster.” The boy stressed as if headmaster was just another word for god.

Fon noticed the way both Reborn and Verde looked like they wanted to introduce the child to a volatile experiment and Skull had looked up, his face blank as the moron continued talking.

“But you haven’t talked to us since the train ride. Were your best mates and you're acting like we haven’t stood beside you for years.” He stressed as his nostrils flared and Fon thought the boy was plying on the would-be guilt trip a bit thickly.

“You let that…that freak talk to Ginny like that. You know she loves you. Mums always wanted you in the family. If you and her marry you would truly be my brother. Imagine it, Harry. We could finally be real family.”

The whole speech sounded constructed to make Skull bend to the will of the idiot and his cohorts.

“Family?” Skull asked in a small voice and Fon watched as the red head’s eyes gleamed with the knowledge of winning. “We could be family?” He asked and blinked while look down at his hands and Fon worried for a brief moment that he would let the old pain rear up and would leave him and the others for those who wanted him to be their tool.

That thought passed as Skull laughed gaily. A grin stole across his face and when he looked up his eyes were alight with his Flames. “Best mates? Who stood beside me during everything?” He questioned with a head shake.

“You mean like in second year when you went to the ‘Potter watchers’ to report on me? I know all about that. You were there to ‘make sure I didn’t do anything evil.’ Or fourth year when you were angry about me putting my name in the Goblet and helped make that year hell? Or do you mean fifth year when you didn’t write to me during the Summer? Are you talking about those times?” He asked with a smile on his face that was contradicted by the fury in his eyes. Skull stood from the bed and walked around to the idiot who did not seem to notice the danger he was in as he glared daggers at Skull.

He opened his mouth and Skull struck. Three well placed hits had the boy on the ground, his nose broken and bleeding and coughing for air.

“You know better than most how much I despise the word freak.” Skull said as he crouched down, pulling the red head’s hair and forcing him to look into his eyes. “The next time you use that word you will not like what I will do to you. I am not going to marry little Gin-Gin. I am not marrying into your fickle family. Now I am going to warn you, once and only once because we are such good friends. If I ever hear you call any of mine a Freak, it will be the last thing you ever do.”

Skull gave him a terrifying smile as the boy stood up and bolted, holding his nose as blood dripped down his chin.

“Did you just…. defend Reborn?” Verde asked with a look of amusement as Skull sat back on his bed. The Sun was looking at him in disbelief and a bit starry eyed.

“I hate the word freak.” Skull stated with a pout as the door slammed open and in strode a furious professor McGonagall who pinned Skull with a dark look.

“Mr. potter! How dare you attack another student?” She snarled at him. “Fifty points from Gryffindor for such brutish behavior!”

“Attack? Professor Harry’s been in here with us working on those papers for the past hour.” Neville stated looking at the woman as if she had grown a second head.

“Who did Harry attack?” Seamus asked as he blinked at the woman in stunned disbelief.

“Mr. Weasley! He informed me that you all witnessed Mr. Potter attack him and break his nose for no reason!” She snapped at the Irish boy.

“Err…” Professor.” Dean said bringing the woman’s attention to him. “Do you mean when Ron came in here and interrupted us doing our homework and started insulting the new kids before informing Harry that he had better start towing the line or else. When Harry told him to leave him alone Ron ran headfirst into the door. Next thing we know you’re coming in here and deducting points.”

“Yea. Harry didn’t attack anyone. Even when Ron starts ranting about how he is going to pummel Harry into the ground Harry just ignores him.” Seamus said and rubbed the back of his neck giving the woman a smile. “He won’t even let me hit Ron.” He grumbled.

…

Fon, Verde, and Reborn looked at the two boys sitting innocently after setting a furious woman loose on the red head. The two didn’t even blink while being under such scrutiny.

“Lackey.” Reborn stated after a moment. His dark eyes darted to his Sky who looked far too innocent, and he took a deep breath. Why wasn’t he surprised. “What are their names? I take it they are yours?” He asked looking at Enma who snorted before a grin took over his face.

“Bosque.” Skull stated with a grin as the Irish male raised a hand and waved. "He is Nev’s Forest guardian. Vuori” Dean raised his hand with a grin. “Nev’s Mountain.”

Fon almost felt like banging his head against the nearest wall.

“You have been keeping secrets Lackey.” Reborn snorted. “Finish your work.”

Skull couldn’t help but to giggle as he returned his attention to the papers in front of him.

Chapter Text

The first day of classes for Reborn and Verde coincided with Potions class. Much to the amusement and glee of the Lightning. Skull shared a look with his Earth before smiling wryly. He was, surprisingly, looking forward to what his Lightning had up his sleeves.

The look on the other boy’s faces said they were looking forward to it as well.

They purposely chose seats in the front. Verde sat with Skull, forcing Reborn and Fon to sit together. He was anticipating the bat like male to start in on his Sky and was prepared to take the man down a peg or two.

He wasn’t disappointed when Skull, amused and knowing exactly what his Lightning was up to started following the instructions, exactly as they were written. Verde knew just by looking at them that the Potion was missing a number of things to make it viable. Not to mention it had several ingredients that did not belong in it. No doubt a way for the man to humiliate his students.

“Mr. Potter!” The man bellowed as the potion turned a mustard color instead of the vibrant purple it is supposed to be. He seemed to completely ignore the fact that Skull and Verde were working as a team. Focusing on the orphaned ‘child.’

“Is this purple?” The man spat as the Snakes smirked and jeered. “So, incompetent you cannot even follow simple directions.” The man sneered with a look of loathing on his face.

“So incompetent that you cannot write directions correctly.” Verde spoke up and smirked as the man’s nose flared and anger sparked in his eyes. “Not that I was expecting anything from a failure of a man such as you. Picking on children you are responsible for making orphans. How despicable.”

“How dare you.” The man snarled and opened his mouth to say more but Verde gave the man a cool look and watched as a sliver of fear reached his eyes. His instincts screaming that Verde was far more dangerous than a mere child.

“Tell me. Do you feel like a big man when you choose to teach so abhorrently. Why I think even that idiot could teach better than you.” A smirk twisted is lips as he pointed to Reborn who crossed his arms as a smirk curled his mouth.

“Who heard of slapping directions on a board and ordering the students to create a potion? Worse still is the incorrect instructions. So, incompetent you can’t even do that right.” Verde could see a vein pulsing in the man’s neck and could practically taste his anger, but he wasn’t done. Not even close.

“Tell me, are you really such a simpleton that you can’t explain the ingredients and why they interact with other ingredients in a way that students can understand, or are you purposely sabotaging your students? Giving out outdated and useless instructions that are only half formed. How have none of your students been killed by your incompetence?”

He watched amusedly as the man’s fingers twitched as if to go for his wand only to barely hold onto his restraint. Really Verde was impressed, he was positive the bird-brained idiot would try something. It looked like he owed Reborn a new fedora.

“Have I said something inaccurate?” He asked with a cool smile. “Anyone who has ever been properly taught potion ingredients knows that you do not mix armadillo bile in a restorative potion such as this. Yet that is one of the first ingredients you have on the board.” He paused as a sly smile twisted his mouth. “Perhaps you should go back to school if you made such a novice mistake.”

Skull looked around to the wide-eyed look of most of his classmates. His eyes landing on the furious burning eyes of Hermione and the warring blue of Ron’s.

Skull’s attention was brought back to his Lightning who moved an arm around his shoulders. Pulling him into the man’s side as if to protect him from the fuming small, minded male in front of them. Warmth spread through him as the man’s flames slipped out to caress his own, as if to make sure he was fine.

The first time around no one had bothered to try and protect him from Snapes vile hatred. This time he didn’t need protecting. Verde and the others knew this, but it was nice that he was trying to regardless of the need. It made him feel cherished. He couldn’t help but to bask in that feeling even as the bell sounded.

“How do you think the Potions Guild would react to an anonymous letter with Snape’s instructions on the restorative drought?” Skull asked once they were out of ear shot from busy bodies who might try and curtail their fun.

Reborn had a smile on his lips that spelled disaster for the death-eater.

Chapter Text

Skull was not at all surprised when later that day him and the others were summoned to the headmaster’s office. He also was not surprised to see the man’s pet looking triumphant with a gleam in his eyes and the deputy headmistress sitting with a disapproving frown on her lips. Really these people seemed incapable of learning.

He sat there thinking of Vipers next article, the one that was promising to come out in the morning and wondered just how much devastation it was going to cause for the idiot and his flaming chickens. He was looking forward to it.

“Well!” The old man snapped, dragging him kicking and screaming from his thoughts.

“Sorry. What did you say? I wasn’t listening.” He smiled at them and watched the man’s eyes bulge with rage even as Reborn let out a low chuckle.

“This is serious Mr. Potter!” Professor McGonagall snarled. Her anger tangible in the air.

“I completely agree.” Reborn stated sagely with a nod of his head. “So that leaves the question of what are you going to do about it? There is nothing worse than a teacher who doesn’t even know his own subject.” He said in false sympathy. “Why just think of what the parents will say when this gets out.”

Skull had to bite the inside of his cheek so that he didn’t laugh at the taken aback looks on the headmaster and deputy’s faces.

“Death-Eater at large. Trying to kill off the children of those who dared to defy his lord.” Fon stated amusedly from his seat. While he did not care if the man was trying to kill off large sums of people with incompetence, he did care that his menace was targeted.

Reborn and Verde, however, were a different matter. Reborn was…will be….is? the tutor from hell. Had earned his title and took his teaching seriously. Both Tsuna and Dino had come to love the man in the end. He was their teacher and father figure mixed in with a crazed uncle.

Verde was a scientist. He did not take misinformation lightly. That a teacher was giving the misinformation out? It did not sit well with him. That he had a chance to protect his beloved Sky from the absurdity coming from the incompetent was just a bonus.

“Exactly. Why just imagine what will happen to the school’s reputation. The board will have to go back over the past fifteen years to see just how many students he screwed over.” Reborn gave a dramatic sigh but one glance told Skull the man was enjoying himself.

“Professor Snape has my explicit trust!” Dumbledore thundered with a crazed look in his eyes and Fon, Reborn, and Verde raised an eyebrow. It couldn’t have been better timed even if it had been planned.

“What does trust have to do with incompetence?” Fon asked with a tilt of his head and a serene smile painted on his lips. “Since this year has started your professor has shown an inaptitude to both teach and, going by his instructions, to actually make a viable potion.”

“My uncle is a key member in the Potion’s Guild. The rules of the Guild are very straightforward and must be followed to the letter. I am not sure how someone who does not know that armadillo bile is not to be mixed into a restorative potion got into the guild. But rest assured the moment he hears about it, it will no longer be a problem.” He paused for a brief moment and checked his watch before nodding. “Which will be in precisely three minutes and forty seconds. Taking in the time for the Owl to land and rest for a few moments.”

A look of horror flashed across Snapes face and Skull wanted to cackle gleefully. Oh, this was spectacular. A look at his elements said they completely agreed.

“You would ruin the life of the youngest Potions master over an attention seeking child’s whining?” Dumbledore demanded and Skull could feel the amusement from his elements evaporate into air at the man’s words. Their own guilt over believing it had their anger intensified.

Verde sat forward, a hard look on his face as he faced the man responsible for making Skull’s childhood a misery. “I am doing nothing.” He stated, annunciating each word careful as if talking to someone who was extremely dense. “I take education seriously. If your potion’s master reputation and life is ruined it is his own fault for not properly teaching his students. This is a school. A place for learning. Not a place to try and redeem men who are better off left in a shallow grave.” He spat and the headmaster reeled back, his eyes wide.

Verde carefully stood up from his seat and bent down just long enough to scoop Skull into his arm’s before storming from the room.

The moment they were back into the dorm Verde laid him on the bed but didn’t remove himself from Skull’s body. Laying down with the smaller frame shielded in his arms.

“Verde.” He called gently but the man didn’t move. Even when the dorm room door opened and Fon and Reborn entered. Their own anger bleeding into their eyes. He sighed as Reborn climbed in on the other side and found himself smushed between the two forms. A large hand ran soothing circles on his leg, and he looked to see Fon’s red eyes looking at him.

“His words don’t mean anything to me.” Skull tried to reassure them after moments pause. “I’m okay.”

“Skull.” Verde’s voice was raspy and soft.

“You lot shouldn’t feel guilty. You didn’t know better, and I don’t blame you so get whatever your about to say out of your head. You're my family. The old man is nothing but a shriveled up has been that is going to rue the day he decided to turn a school into his own personal campgrounds.”

“You’re too kind Lackey.” Verde muttered into his hair as Reborn’s fingers trailed circles over his back. Fon’s own hand was clutching his leg in a vise like grip.

“I’m a menace and you know it.” Skull snorted with a half-smile on his lips but allowed the two men to continue cuddling him. He wasn’t at all surprised when Verde left the bed to change that Fon stole his spot.

He was brought out of his thoughts to the sound of scrapping and turned to see Neville, Seamus and Dean pushing his, Fon’s, and Verde’s beds until they aligned with Skull’s.

“Might be more comfortable to have more room to stretch out in.” Enma said with a small smile on his lips. Fon felt a sliver of fondness for Skull’s minions.

Chapter Text

Gregory Vincent Allegro, the premier potions master and head of the Potions Guild looked in bemusement at his nephew’s owl. Unlike most pureblood families The Allegro’s did not cast out their squib born children. Squib’s still held magic in their vein’s. They just couldn’t reach it. As such when his brother and sister-in-law had died in the British Blood war’s he had taken in his brothers only son, Nathaniel Allegro. He was there when his nephew graduated muggle school and went to college. He was there when his beloved nephew awoken his Soul-fire. He was there when Nathaniel chose the name Verde in an effort to protect himself and his daughter from the Mafia who might target them if they made a connection.

Still, he found it humorous that the nearly thirty-year-old would send him an owl rather than ‘kidnapping’ him or sneaking into the manor as he had been doing for years. His nephew was most definitely his brother’s son. He took after the man with the same quirkiness.

With a shake of his head, he tore the letter open and read it, a frown crossed his face before he careful re-read it.

Gregory Allegro ,

Lord of the Ancient and Noble house of Allegro,

Potion’s master and head of the Potion’s Guild:

It has been a long time Uncle and I have quite a tale for you. I will start at the beginning. In a few years’ time I will be cursed into toddler form as will my most cherished Sky and the idiots we associate with. Not long after you and Maria will die. Your deaths will look like an accident, but it wasn’t. I was never able to prove it, but I suspect you were targeted because of our connection.

I will live under the curse for thirty years before it is broken. In that time, I lost my Sky. He was taken from me. It was unacceptable. My fellow Elements and I devised a way to go back. I already know what you will say, but I assure you it was the only option. While most elements can live without their Sky without going into Discord we could not.

I know I was teetering on the edge of insanity. I could feel it dragging me down each day that passed. As the Worlds Strongest Flame Users there would have been no one able to stop us should we have lost our footing and slipped down the slope we teetered on. The world would have paid for taking him from us. Going back in time was the only option.

My Sky is a very gentle soul who enjoys chaos. You may have heard of him, Harry Potter, although he prefers the name Skull De Mort. Currently I am deploying a device that makes it seem like I have magic and another that distorts my image so that people see a sixteen-year-old in place of my twenty-eight-year-old self.

Uncle, the articles about Skull are nothing but lies. They abuse him, or they had abused him. They break their own rules and the Potions Master they have on staff is not someone I would allow within a hundred feet of any child.

Normally I would dissect any who even thought of harming Skull, but Skull wants to be the one to end the man responsible for him being an orphan. I have not yet asked him just what the man did to warrant that title, and I am not sure I will. That being said at the end of this letter is a list of the ingredients he placed on the blackboard before telling the children to begin brewing. There was nothing about how the ingredients interact. Nothing about how to properly handle them.

My menace followed the instructions to the letter and the giant bat came over and started in on him. As you can image that did not set well with me. So, as the head of the guild he represents himself as belonging to I was wondering if you would like to make an example out of one, who, by all appearances, does not know his own craft?

Just so that you are aware of just whom this irresponsible asinine swine is and to be completely thorough in making you aware of the breach he has conducted by teaching like this it is the self-proclaimed youngest Potions Master. Severus Snape. Of course, the British enclaves completely disregard the fact that my father was a certified genius and had earned his mastery at sixteen.

Your nephew:

Nathanial Allegro,

Verde,

 Andreas Gerhard

As promised the instructions that, he did not doubt for a moment were written word for word in an exact replica from the board, sat on another sheet of parchment. Attached to the letter.

He was tempted to think it all a joke. Severus Snape was seen as a prodigy. Only, he knew his nephew. Knew him better than he knew just about anyone else in the world save his daughter Kitara. Verde would never joke about something like this. He also did not doubt for a moment that this was his nephew.

The use of the name Mira told him as much. Any who did not know Verde would have used her rightful name. He was the only person in the world who called Kitara Mira and only in letters he found to be important. He sighed as he skimmed the letter for a third time before trailing his fingers over the name at the bottom.

Andreas, his little and most beloved brother. Gerhard, the Abagail Allegro nee Gerhard. The most beloved wife. His brother had worshiped her. The only condolence he had when they passed was that his brother would not have to spend an eternity without her.

“Papa. What has that look on your face?” Mira asked from the doorway as his princess held his beloved grandson in her arms. A smile twisting her lips and he grinned at her as he passed her the letter he had received, and in return had the small bundle passed to himself. Nathanial Andreas Allegro, named after the closest thing his daughter had to a brother.

“Verde never could stand bad teachers.” His daughter scoffed with a look of mischief on her face. “It would seem like the leader of the Potions Guild should make his way to the school to relieve Potions Master Snape of his title. It would not do to have the Potions Guild represented by an idiot.” She stated with a wink at him. “Do remind my little cousin that I have not seen him for many months and his name’s sake is getting big. He should know his uncle.”

“Is there anything else you would like me to pass along?” He asked with a chuckle.

“Yes. Tell his Skull I want to meet him. It’s rare for Verde to find someone he genuinely likes.”

“I look forward to meeting him as well.” Gregory stated after a moment.

Chapter Text

Albus Dumbledore was fuming. Another one of those reprehensible articles had been posted. This one went over his relationship with Grindelwald. The title was, The Greater Good. Things that had never been public knowledge were now written in an article with a picture of him and Gellert. A picture he had been unaware existed, but it showed the two of them sitting side by side at a table. The younger Albus in the picture would turn point to a work on a page in a book and smile at the blooming dark lord. Worse yet was it was after Gellert had begun his reign of terror.

He wanted to snarl in pure rage as he eyed the article.

The Greater Good

Dear readers after hearing about the horrid way our headmaster treated a young first year. His deplorable behavior in school, and his marks I went digging into our esteemed headmasters past. What I found was not pretty nor is it for the faint of heart.

I could go into the headmaster’s family. How his father tortured a couple of muggle boys. How his mother was a muggle born who preached pure blood supremacy. However, as we all know, one should never judge someone by their parents.

So instead, I tried to keep away from the alluring articles of the headmaster’s fathers arrest and imprisonment. How no one really knows who killed the only daughter of the Dumbledore family, nor how it looked like our headmaster had in fact been the one to the deed because she held him back from following his lover.

No, I preferred to dig into the man’s past.  Into just whom our esteemed headmaster is. What I found…well we shall let you see for yourself. Shouldn’t we.

Albus Dumbledore the first-born son of Percival and Kindra Dumbledore was one of three children. His younger brother Aberforth had this to say. “If my brother ever says he cares about you run. Run far and run fast. He always hurts those he proclaims to love.”

I asked him about the photo I had found, and the old man looked both sad and enraged. It took him a moment before he could speak. “I remember a time when Arianna was alive. Albus was supposed to come home and look after her while I was in school. He resented it. He had plans. Him and Gellert were going to rule the world and the muggles would be ‘in their proper places.’ Wizards would rule over them. We argued. I told him he needed to stop gallivanting off with the no good Gellert. I never liked him. We fought. Spells were fired and Arianna, my sweet little sister who never done anyone any harm was killed.” I had to stop to allow the man a respite as he showed me a picture of a beautiful young woman with such an innocent look and sweetness about her. A real beauty my dears. She would have been a heart breaker.

After a time, Abe, as he prefers to be called, came back and pointed to the picture I had brought to ask about and he gave a heavy sigh before looking at me. “Albus and Gellert were closer than you think. They weren’t just cohorts out for ‘the greater good.’ Partners in crime as it were. They were lovers. Now I couldn’t care less if my brother wanted to be with another man. Not my business, but at the time it was heavily frowned upon. Both in the Muggle world and in our world so they kept their relationship discreet. This is one of the few photos ever taken. After Ari…After the funeral Albus went to great lengths to bury his past. The few photos of them together were destroyed. He won’t be happy that any of them survived.”

I asked Abe just what he meant by great lengths and a grave demeanor covered his face. He was very reluctant to talk about it but after some prodding he quietly told me “There’s a reason Albus gets away with so much. I’m an old man and I have many regrets, but I look forward to the day someone pokes and finds the monster lurking behind my brother’s face. Those who oppose him usually end up dead. I regret never being able to expose him for the miserable sod that he is. There’s no love lost between us, haven’t been for more decades than I care to remember. I only hope I’m still alive to see it when the world he thinks he controls turns on him.”

Soon after our meeting came to an end but make no mistakes dear readers. I will hunt for the truth. We the people deserve answers from someone who is proving to be a criminal. A terrorist.

V. Nickolas-

Special correspondence for the Daily Prophet

Worse yet, when he had his granddaughter send one of her own to deal with his treacherous brother it was to find the Hog’s Head under new management. A large and loud blond male who liked the word Kora and a strict woman who would take out an oddly shaped wand and shoot at whoever was annoying her. His brother was nowhere in sight.

He grit his teeth as he looked at the prophet still laying innocently on his desk before looking at the time. He had to do damage control. The sheep would no doubt love a good story and he could and would come up with something.

He was stopped in his tracks by the three forms sitting at the head table wearing recognizable attire, and his nervous Potions Master sitting nearby. The way the man’s eyes darted almost worriedly to the three intimidating figures and then over to the Gryffindor table to scowl at the Lions.

Today, he thought to himself, was going to be a long day.

Chapter Text

Skull De Mort was fuming. He wanted so badly to tear the beard from the old man’s face as he sat across from the man. Verde, Reborn, and Fon sat beside him. Their faces blank. The room they were in were currently occupied by the old man, his pet death eater, Micky G, and the head of the Potions Guild along with two of his aids.

The old man was looking at his beloved Lightning with a disapproving look in his twinkling blue eyes as he tried and failed to intimidate the man. He had been going on for the last ten minutes about how irresponsible Verde was for pulling a childish prank in order to get a staff member in trouble because he failed his Potions work.

Now if the old man had tried that with him, he would have brushed it off. Would have scoffed and insulted and even pulled a rule they were currently breaking out of his hat. But the very real fact was, the old fucker wasn’t pulling it with him. He was trying to pull it with Verde.

“You are delusional.” He snarled lowly once the old man had paused to take a breath. “If you think for one moment that the idiot you are so staunchly defending can teach then you obviously have lost track of reality.” The old man opened his mouth to no doubt reprimand him, but he was beyond caring. The old fucker crossed a line when he decided to berate his Lightning.

“In the course of his teaching career the number of competent brewers has been reduced to less than a tenth of any of his predecessors. His seventh-year class consists of Slytherins and even then, it is only a couple. Sometimes there may be a Ravenclaw or even on an occasion a Gryffindor but they are usually dropping the class after the first couple of months. The auror department has started taking people on potential rather than actual skill and spends the first year teaching them things they should have already learned. Those who wish to become an auror then retake their Owls and Newts before being accepted into the academy. The number of healers has been reduced down to less than half of what it was before he began teaching, and they don’t have the time to go and teach those who wish to become healers the art they should have learned while paying a high tuition to a school incapable of teaching it.” He let a cold smile twist his lips as he reached into his bag and placed one of the files Professor Flitwick had given him on the table.

The tall, thin male with slicked back black hair and greyish green eyes that seemed to peer into them swished his wand and copies appeared. He handed one to each of the men he had come with and flipped through a third one.

“He is a substandard teacher. Maybe he fears losing his title of youngest Potions Master, but that title is fake anyways so…” He trailed off and Verde looked at his small adorable little Sky sitting with his eyes bright with fury. He could make out just a tinge of orange and purple on the outside of his eyes. He could see Skull was trying so very hard to suppress his flames.

“Mr. Potter!” The deputy head snapped with her nostrils flared and Skull turned to her.

“You may be unaware but the youngest Potions Master to gain their mastery was Mr. Andreas Allegro who earned his Potions Mastery when he was sixteen. He was renowned as the youngest Potions Master in the World and has held that title even after his death. That Snape wants to claim the title is a dishonor to his memory.” He snapped at the woman.

“This is pretty compelling evidence against Mr. Snape. You are aware, I hope, that Hogwarts charter demands the teachers of core classes to have a Mastery, be able to teach the class they are hired for and be accredited by the guild of the classes they are teaching. When you came to the Potion’s Guild with Mr. Snape and said that although he was young, he was an exceptional and competent brewer and teacher we took your word for it and gave him the credentials to allow him to teach. Since then, you have passed us reports saying how well he has maintained his class and how much the students were learning. Apparently, your word is meaningless. Mr. Snape I, as representative head of the guild you poorly represent do now cast you from our presence. You are hear by stripped of your title and stripped of the credentials the guild has seen fit to give you.”

He paused and turned to look at one of the men with him. “Alex please make a note to send a relevant article to the papers.” He turned back with a disgusted look on his face. “Mr. Dumbledore, your word is now meaningless. You have lied to the guild. I will be in contact with the other Guilds to verify that they, too, have not taken your word for any more teachers. That being said, he may no longer be your residential Potions teacher. I recommend finding one, the sooner the better. Hopefully the next one can mitigate the mess you have made of the education system.” He snapped as he handed his file over to one of the men. He could see the others fuming at the proof they had just seen.

“You cannot do this! Over the words of some…some childish ill-mannered fools! I have earned my place!” Snape snarled as he stood, his face twisted in fury, his hand in hand.

“You.” A deep gravelly voice of one of the other males stated in a dead drawl. “Have earned nothing. I remember when you and the headmaster showed up. The Guild was weary about giving you the credentials you needed to teach. We had noted your youth and foul temper, but the headmaster assured us that you were having a tough day with the grizzly business of the dark lord going on. You were given the credentials on the word of a trusted member of society who spoke up for you. You will find that we are well within our rights to revoke it.”

The man paused as his eyes glided over the others present. “Minerva. I am surprised to see you at this spectacle. You once had passion, justice, and a need to see the students under you care taught. That you did not contact the Guild the moment you noticed the mockery being made of the education of the youths is rather concerning. You were and are duty bound to alert any guild of a breach to stop something like this from happening. I find it concerning that you had over a decade and not once did you inform any of us about this.” He held up the folder he had been reading. I will be in touch with your brother. Marius will be most displeased that a trusted member of the Transfiguration guild has failed in their duties that it took children to put to right the wrong committed. I suspect you will face repercussions.”

McGonagall turned to look at the tall slender male and nearly fainted. The air rippled just slightly, and the man’s face changed. Master Gregory Allegro was sitting before her. She had not worried when the men had showed up, because unlike Albus and Severus she knew none of these men were the actual head of the Guild. She had been planning to point this out once the ‘guests’ left. Albus would be angry, but he could then demand to speak to the head of the Guild, not simply a man who was acting in his stead. That hope was now crashing and burning.

Gregory Allegro was the World’s Greatest Potions Master. Head of the Potions Guild. If he was here, then it was over. Severus, the boy she had failed over and over again while he was her student would not be able to stay on. She had failed him again.

As if reading her mind the man snapped at her, “Instead of thinking about the adult you have failed you should be worrying about the hundreds of students that have passed through this school that you have failed. Snape is an adult and has been one for two decades. Your loyalties belong to the students. Children. Not adults who act like children.” He snarled at her before turning to the two others.

“Dumbledore, you will be hearing from us. Snape.” He gave them all a cool look before turning to his companions. “Gentlemen we should be off. Mr. Potter, you, and your friends will see us out.” He ordered and the male nodded as he stood.

Once out of ear shot Verde turned to his Cloudy-Sky. “I was unaware you knew who Andreas Allegro was.” He raised an eyebrow in a way that told Skull it was more of a question and his fluffy little terror smiled sheepishly at him.

“You mumbled about him once. You were furious about something; I don’t even really remember what it was, but you mumbled about others taking the Allegro heritage. I looked them up. If they were important to you, then I wanted to know them.”

“You researched them based on something I mumbled?” He asked after a moment.”

“I…. they were important to you, that means they were important to me. I could see you were grieving, and I didn’t want you to be alone. Even if you didn’t know it, I wanted to be there for you. To grieve with you. I researched everything I could until I knew the Allegro family better than I knew my own.”

“You are something special.” The deep gravelly voice stated, and Skull’s face turned red. He had forgotten they weren’t alone.

“Nephew, Kitara wants you to come visit. Bring your friends.” He stated and much to the surprise of the Arcobaleno’s who rarely saw a smile on their Lightning’s face the man beamed lovingly at the older more defined male.

“Skull, idiots, meet my uncle Potions Master Gregory Allegro. His second, Raphael Denary and their aid Alexis Metter. Uncle it please me to introduce you to Skull De Mort. My most treasured friend and beloved menace. These are the other idiots.”

Chapter Text

Skull felt like he was under a microscope. After seeing his Lightning’s uncle off they had retreated to their dorm. Neville had taken one look and set about securing the dorm, giving Skull and his elements peace away from the rest of the house. Still, he wanted to shift under the three heavy gazes of his friends.

“It seems we have been remiss in our duties.” Fon stated softly and Skull looked up from where he was studying his fingers. A frown on his face.

“You have taken the time to research us, to learn about what matters to us. You researched a family based on Verde’s pain. Something that you didn’t have to do. It had no bearing on you and wasn’t expected of you. You grieved for them Tesoro. You ached for them. Tell me you didn’t do the same for the rest of us.” He nodded at Skulls silence. Skull was so kind, so beautifully sweet that he would have taken any interest in anything he thought pained them. He should have suspected it. He really should have.

“Yet we did not know who you were. We did not try to find out if you had anyone you missed. We failed you.” Verde finished quietly and Skull shook his head in denial.

“Skull.” Fon called and he turned his gaze to the soft look on his Storms face. “You are our Sky. Our Cloud. It took losing you to teach us about your past. That is a rather unacceptable failure. These…” He paused as if to find the right word.

“Heathens. Animals. Uneducated jackals.” Verde input helpfully getting an amused look from the Storm who nodded.

“They hurt you. They repaid your kindness with spite. Repaid your loyalty with betrayal. Your love with hatred. They built you up and tore you down over and over again. We should have seen, should have pressed for information yet even now. Even when we are here to protect you, to shield you from them you still stand in front of us.” Fon’s voice was gentle even if it held a hint of sadness.

“What he’s getting at Lackey.” Reborn grunted as he moved, scooping Skull’s smaller form off of the bed and sitting down to cradle him. “Is that we are your elements. These fuckers have hurt you before and we are not going to allow it to happen again. Next time the old fucker calls us up and starts in on us, let us handle it. Let us take the brunt of the old man’s fury. There isn’t any reason for you to be hurt by him.”

“He doesn’t hurt me.” Skull stated with a scowl and the three men gave him disbelieving looks. “I had years to deal with my past. Just because I didn’t talk about it does not mean I didn’t deal with it. I’m not going to sit back and watch as he tries to hurt you. Any of you. You're my element’s, yea but that is not all that you are. You are my friends. My family. He took so much from me the last time, and I followed him, even to my death. I followed him like a blind little sheep who craved his kindness so much that I didn’t even see the thorns splitting me open.” He paused for a moment as he took in the sad looks from his family.

“I didn’t see, I trusted him, loved him, thought of him like a grandfather even as he snatched away everything I had. I was a kid; I am not a kid now. I know what true warmth is. I know what it is to be loved, to be cherished. I know what it is to have people to rely on who can and will kill for me, the way I would for them. To be loved unconditionally. The old man? He means nothing to me. He doesn’t hurt me; I was disillusioned by him years ago. I don’t have the small ball of hope that something may change him. I know what he is, and who he is.”

He paused and a wicked grin curved his lips. “Besides I enjoy taking the man down a peg. Don’t take away my fun Sempai. It’s not nice.” He put a whine in his voice that had the three chuckling as Fon and Verde sat beside them on the bed.

“So…. Verde. Are we going to visit over the Winter holiday?” He asked with a bright smile that had his Lightning looking at him with amusement.

“Kitara would never forgive me if I didn’t bring you.” He said as he stole the small bundle from Reborn’s arms and gently held him to himself.

“Will…I mean I know about the family but, will you tell me about them? Skull asked softly and for a moment he was afraid he had overstepped.

“My father…” Verde began softly and the other three listened intently as the Lightning spoke. He told them of his parent’s, how his father had been told to cast him out, that a squib was worthless but neither of his parents would do it. They loved him, more than anything else in the world. He told them of his Uncle, who had lost his wife during childbirth, she was always a sickly woman, and had been told by the healers that getting pregnant would kill her, but she wanted a child so badly that she died to have his cousin, Kitara.

He spoke about how, after his parent’s death the pure bloods told his Uncle that he shouldn’t be burdened by a useless squib, but his uncle had made quick word of making sure nobody uttered such a thing again.

He spoke of Kitara. His cousin, how she was sweet And gentle with a hint of mischief that he had often thought could rival Reborn’s. Of her husband Mika who had died while his cousin was pregnant. Nobody ever did find out who was responsible for Mika’s death. He spoke of his cousin’s son. A boy who was named after him, per his fathers wishes. Mika, much like his family had not cared that Verde was a squib. He had often said if he had a son, he would want him named after the Scientist in the hopes he grew up to be just like his uncle.

He quietly spoke of their deaths. How he had found them slaughtered in their home after they were cursed. He spoke of the notes he had found; his uncle and cousin had been working on a cure for the curse. He had never been able to prove it, but he always suspected Luce had a hand in their murder.

He spoke of little Nathanial. A boy, defenseless slaughtered in his bed. He spoke of his grief and fury even as Skull quietly wept in his arms. The small revenant’s arms wound tightly around his neck as if to offer him comfort.

“This time.” Skull stated with a steel in his voice that the Arcobaleno’s knew meant their Sky would allow nothing else than what he wanted as an outcome. “This time you won’t lose them. We will protect them. We already changed a lot of things; one more will just be added to the list.”

His eyes flashed as they turned to Reborn. “Call Lal, and Nello. I want the Allegro’s moved to one of the most secured properties. Have Viper look them over I want them secured and safe.”

Reborn nodded, his own eyes alight with his rage on his Lightning’s behalf. That anyone would target one of his own’s family had the monster that lurked under his skin snarling with pure rage. One look at Fon showed the Storm was just as angry.

“I…Thank you.” Verde stated, he could feel his insides twisting. He didn’t know how he had gotten so lucky as to have Skull as his Sky, but he would slaughter anyone who tried to take him from him. He had already defied both death and time for his menace, he would do anything to make sure he was with them and happy.

Skull opened his mouth to speak as the door burst open and in stepped the angry trio. Ron, Hermione, and Ginny stood in the doorway with looks of anger twisting their features and Skull wanted nothing more than to let his elements loose on the idiots. He really didn’t want to hear whatever propaganda they wanted to spew.

Chapter Text

Reborn’s fingers itched. These infuriating children spewing vitriol at his adorable little Cloudy Sky were walking a thin line. Normally he didn’t kill children, anyone older than eighteen was fair game, but children? They were usually off limits. Had been since he became strong enough that he was able to choose what missions he wanted to take. He wasn’t morally upright, he didn’t look down on those who did target kids, but he himself? He didn’t want the blood of the truly innocent on his hands.

These kids? He was tempted to make an exception for. One look at his Storm and Lightning told him he wasn’t alone in his thoughts. He could feel the fury burning from his Storm’s eyes, his smile brittle as he looked at the three. Skull had reached out to grab Verde’s hand, keeping the Lightning from getting up and distributing his own vengeance on the kids.

“Are you finished?” Skull asked, his voice cool and his eyes burning as he looked at the fools. “That wasn’t an actual question.” He stated when the foolish brunet opened her mouth to talk. “For all of your ‘intelligence’ you really are an idiot.” He said with a head shake. “Albus Dumbledore and his brain-dead idiot’s who think him a god have a lot to learn about the reality of the world. You have a lot to learn about the world if you think following that crazy old man is a good idea.” He sighed looking entirely too done with the whole thing.

“Don’t.” He stated when the fool went to open her mouth again. “Just don’t. Here’s the thing you three don’t seem able to compute. We are not friends. I thought you would get the hint with your vaulted intelligence and all, but you seemed to have missed the memo. We are not now, nor will we ever again be friends. You toe Dumbledore’s line, follow him as if he was some god with a higher power instead of an old man who happens to be the headmaster of a school. He is not now, nor has he ever been anything more. You place him above everything and somehow think him to be above the rules and laws. He’s not.” Skull stated with a heavy sigh and would have raised a hand to run it through his hair if not for the fact that he held Verde’s hand in one of his and Fon had grabbed his other hand not long after the trio had entered. No doubt to stop himself from killing them.

“That being said, do you know the penalty for a girl coming up to the boy's dorms? It’s against the rules.” Skull said as Hermione’s face turned red with rage.

“Hogwarts A History…” She began but Skull cut her off.

“Is a biased piece of crap that was sponsored by Dumbledore and written by one of his sycophants. Girls are no more allowed in the boys dorms than the boys are allowed in the girls dorm’s. I find it very…presumptuous that you would think girls are more trustworthy than boys. Or perhaps sexist is the better word?” He let out a low hum as if thinking about his word choice. “Teenagers are not trustworthy. Its why there are restrictions. That being said I do thank you for reminding me about that oversight.” He stated calmly and snapped his fingers. An old house-elf with gray hair coming out of its ears and hunched back that spoke of years of hard labor appeared. It’s dark eyes bore into the four on the bed and over to the three standing in the still opened doorway.

“Head-elf Kiron. According to the laws and bylaws of Hogwarts girls are not allowed in the boy's dorms. I ask that you fix the structure of the dormitories to what it was before a certain headmaster messed with it.

“Too right you are little lion.” The gravelly voice stated as it glared at the two girls. “Kiron doesn’t know why the wards let misses up, but Kiron will fix.” The elf said and snapped its old, withered fingers. Before Hermione or Ginny could utter a protest, the girls vanished.

“Head elf Kiron, I thank you.” Skull stated with a gentle smile as the elf turned to him and looked at him with approval.

“Kiron has seen many years young lion. Many children come and many go, but Kiron stays. My Master would be proud of the little Lion. Bearded one has nearly ruined master's work, Kiron is glad to see master's work being restored. We elves follow little Lion.” He said before disappearing.

“What the fuck did you just do potter!” Ron bellowed in fury. His eyes wide and his nostrils flared out. His eyes bulged with fury radiating through him. He took a menacing step towards the bed only to find his back being slammed into the wall.

Fon toward over the redhaired idiot a smile curved his lips and a cold look in his eyes as they danced with the power of his Flames. “Harry has been very good at keeping you away from us, but do not let it fool you. Should you persist in harassing him as you have, I will be forced to teach you why such a thing is foolish. I cannot promise that you will survive such a lesson.” He paused and amusement danced in his eyes as the smell of urine reached his nose.

“Disgraceful.” Verde snapped watching the wet spot appear on the idiot's pants.

“Nasty.” Reborn stated as if talking about the weather. “Fon hasn’t even properly threatened you and you're already wetting yourself in terror.” He shook his head as an unholy glee danced in his eyes. “You should watch your back kid, before you go making enemies of people who won’t hesitate to teach you your place.”

“Eew.” Skull cried out before wrapping his arms around Verde and flinging the both of them back, burying his face in the Lightning’s shirt.

“Their, their.” Verde stated rubbing the soft black hair. “You’ve seen nastier things than a nearly grown boy pissing himself.”

“I think some got on my shoe.” Fon stated as he stepped back from the puddle forming on the floor. His eyes still locked on the idiot who had dared to try and threaten his beautiful little one. The kid, he mused, must have a death wish. Was it really murder if he honored what the boy was clearly begging for it would be assisted suicide?

“I would leave before you end up thrown through a window.” Neville’s voice stated calmly from where he was leaning against the door frame.”

“Kozato.” Reborn greeted as the idiot fled from them.

“Do I even want to know?” He asked looking at the obviously wet spot on the floor.

“Do you?” Skull asked as he lifted his head and grinned at his god brother. A snort left the Earth’s lips as he shook his head.

“It’s never boring with you.” He stated affectionately. “I do think it’s time to contact the demon terrors. I’m sure they would have something to use on the idiots who are unable to get a clue.”

Skull’s lips spread into a devious grin and Fon felt himself fall even more in love with the smaller male as he looked at the pure unholy mischief that radiated from him.

Chapter Text

Hermione Granger was furious. Okay she was not furious; she was beyond furious. So far beyond it that she didn’t have an actual word to describe her feelings. Until recently she had two best friends, Ron a boy who was slowly becoming a man. One she loved with the entirety of her being. He was loyal, and kind, and gentle and defended her from their peers who didn’t understand her intellect. The other one had been Harry Potter, a boy she knew needed her. He was lazy, abhorrently lazy with a penchant for getting himself into trouble when she wasn’t there to guide him.

When the headmaster, a man she respected and adored had asked her to steer Harry towards Ginny for his own good, well she was more than happy to oblige. She could see that such a match would do her friend good. He needed a strong woman to steer him, and as she was unwilling to be that woman, well Ginny would do wonderfully. She was smart, with a temper that would cow Harry, and compassion that Harry would respect. She would lead him like the puppy he was.

She had planned it all out, down to the miniscule detail and had even sat down with both Molly and Ginny to talk about what they wanted in the wedding, once they made sure Harry knew Ginny was the best choice for him.

She had worried only for a couple of minutes about how much the wedding would cost when she saw what Ginny wanted but had soon shaken it off, Harry would just have to foot the bill. He wasn’t planning it so the least he could do was accommodate his wife and mother in law and give Ginny the wedding of her dreams. When the Headmaster had told her that he forbade contact with Harry over the Summer she had nodded. It was understandable. He had assured her that Harry would understand given time, besides she knew he didn’t have any other friends than her and Ron, so he would come around.

Only he didn’t. Instead he was acting like that long haired creep was his best friend, hanging on him as if they were involved and ignoring what was best for him. Then along came the other two. They were good looking, she would give them that, but they were nothing in comparison to her Ron. Then Harry started rebelling, acting as if he were king of the castle rather than a boy who didn’t even know what was good for himself.

She found that she hated them. The long-haired creep gave her the chills when his cold eyes locked on her. His smile was forever present making him seem like a happy man, only his eyes told a different story. She was looking into the eyes of a killer. She didn’t have proof, of course but she could see it hidden behind his façade.

The tall dark and good looking one was arrogant, walking around with a strut and a smirk on his face and the other one, the one who wore a lab coat that reminded her of her parent’s had a look in his eyes that called her stupid, as if he were smarter than her. She scoffed. He was nothing compared to her.

She had brought her worries to the headmaster who cautioned her to be warry of them. They were snakes hidden in the Lions den, intent on dragging Harry from his rightful place and seducing the naive boy who was too dim to see through the three men.

She had tried talking to the idiot, tried taking him to task, even Ginny had tried but he was resolute in his idea that the…those monsters were his friends. To have him forcibly kick her out of the boys’ dorms just made her madder than ever. How dare he! How dare he think he knew better than her! She was the only reason he was still alive! If it weren’t for her and Ron he would have been friendless and alone and ended up dead due to his own ignorance! He was nothing without her! Nothing but a simple-minded fool! She gnashed her teeth as she made her way to the headmaster's office. He would put the boy back in his place and Harry would be forced to listen to her!

“Cockroach Clusters!” She snapped at the gargoyles who sprang aside to allow the irate witch up. She rapt her knuckles on the door, three sharp raps before the kindly old voice called her in.

The headmaster looked every bit his age, his head hung low and his ever-present twinkle was missing from his blue eyes and a cold chill swept through her even as he spared her a small smile and offered her a sweet. She wanted to through her arms around him and burry her face into his shoulder and have him tell her it was alright. She craved his praise and acceptance and comfort. Instead, she took a seat across from him.

“Those…those monsters have convinced Harry that I am not his friend. You should have seen him sir. He was not the boy I have known for years. I…. I think they are dark. I think they’re trying to poison him towards the dark arts.”

A deep sad sigh left the old man’s lips and she saw a single tear slip from an eye and down to his beard. “I’m afraid your right my dear girl.” He said gravely as he stood up and walked towards the large window, his hands folded behind his back as he looked over the grounds. She was reminded of a king looking at his kingdom and was awed. Surely the headmaster must have been King Arthur in another life, or perhaps with his strength and wisdom he had been Merlin.

“I fear we are in for a troubled time.” He muttered with a headshake and Hermione could almost imagine a crown on his head, perhaps in another life she had been his knight. A strong warrior to fight back the legion of darkness. Perhaps she would be his Knight again.

“I need your guidance sir. Harry is not thinking clearly and at this rate will be easy food for the dark. Those transfers are killers. I know they are. Their eyes scare me.” She admitted and he nodded from where he stood in acceptance of her words.

“We will have to move quickly child. If Harry sees the monsters lurking behind there demeanor, he will come back to us. Right now, he is hurt and lashing out. I…miscalculated.” He paused and inhaled sharply as if the words pained him. “I am an old man, but I thought he would see it was for the best that you didn’t contact him. I never thought Tom would get some of his followers to try and turn him away.” He shook his head sorrowfully.

“I can draw them out.” Hermione found herself saying with her head held high. “They scare me, but I am a Gryffindor. I can draw them out, make Harry see the true monsters they are trying to hide.” She stated, her voice steady with her conviction as the man turned around to give her an inscrutable look.

“I cannot ask that of you. They are dangerous.” He said as he shook his head and Hermione straightened in her seat.

“You're not asking it sir. I’m offering. I know it's dangerous, but Harry will not let them do anything to me. He’ll see what they truly are and together we can beat them. Afterwards we can deal with him trying to push us all away.”

The headmaster nodded his head slowly as if thinking it over. “Please be careful child. Those boys are far more dangerous than you can imagine and far more cunning then even I suspected. They infiltrated our school and even managed to frame dear Severus in order to make him lose his position.”

“I’ll be careful. I promise.” She said with a wide smile that brought the beloved twinkle back to those blue eyes. She knew she had done good and would do more good. How could she not when she was a knight to such a noble king.

Chapter Text

Minerva McGonagall was sitting in her office with a frown on her face as she staired absentmindedly at the ungraded papers in front of her. If you had asked her last week or even yesterday, she would have told you she knew exactly what she was doing, and she always did the best for her students. Right now, however, she was plagued with doubt. She had just had a meeting with her older brother. A man she had always idolized and loved. He had raised her, taught her, loved her, and doted on her. To see such stark disappointment on his aged face had made her insides clench painfully and her heart feel as if it had been torn from her chest.

When their parents had died, he had raised her, even though he had been quite a bit older than her it had not stopped him from treating her as an equal. When others had laughed at her for her ambition to be a master of her craft her brother had stood beside her. Had helped her with her apprenticeship and had proudly looked at her once she had gained her mastery.

In all of her years he had never looked at her the way he had last night. With disappointment. He had not yelled at her. He had not spoken harshly to her. He had simply shaken his gray head.

“It is times like this that I wish mother and father had been alive to raise you.” Marius McGonagall stated sadly. “I fear I must apologize Minerva, for I have failed you terribly.” He stated and she had skyrocketed to her feet.

“How could you even think that!” She demanded and he shook his head as sad brown eyes locked onto her own.

“What else am I to think little sister?” He asked after a pause. “You stood back and allowed a teacher to bully children under your care, children you swore to protect. Vowed that you would love as if they were your own. You allowed him to demean those children. Allowed him to go around and act like a giant child while the actual children in your care suffered. Tell me sister, how I wronged you. Surely it was my own doing that told you that behavior was acceptable.” He sighed.

“I tried, I did. I knew I was not father material. I knew from a young age that I did not want to marry or have children but when I was handed your care, I swore to do my best by you. Swore that I would see to your needs the way our beloved parents would have. I must have failed you if you thought his way of acting was acceptable. So, I must ask for your forgiveness for failing you so thoroughly. The Guild is demanding a full report on your teaching career sister, I have asked Potion Master Allegro to review your case. I fear I am much to close to the situation not to be blinded. His findings will be brought to the Transfiguration Guild where my second will review his findings and set about correcting anything that may need to be corrected. I will stand behind his decision.” He warned her as he stood from his seat and grabbed his cane. His bowler hat was picked up from where he had placed it on her desk, and he gave her one last, saddened look before walking out the door.

Minerva wanted to say they would find nothing. No favoritism, no coercion. Nothing that she should worry about but worry she did. How could she not? When she had started teaching, she had been hopeful and filled with ideas, she was going to change the world. Her students would be seen as the brightest of their generation. Now…now? She felt a tear roll down her face. She had lost sight of it.

When Severus had first came to be a teacher, she had protested his treatment of her students. Albus had gently and firmly reminded her of her failure to protect him from the Gryffindor’s. Reminded her that if he was in fact harsh it was her fault. She had buried her guilt for the way Severus treated the children with the reminder that she had already failed the young man once, she was not about to do so again.

Only…now she was reminded that it was not Severus she had failed but all of those who had come after. Her mind turned to the large green eyes of Harry Potter, his baggy clothes and stick thin frame that had worried her. She had brushed off her suspicions when Albus had told her he was fine. That he had been to the house and Harry was most beloved and cherished by his family. She had believed him, but now those thoughts and suspicions were plaguing her.

The boy was smaller than his year mates, smaller than even some of the new first years. He stood with steel in his spine and eyes that were so much like his mother's that she feared the retribution he would bring because Minerva had known the fierce witch. Lily Evan’s turned Potter would have happily placed her, Severus and even Albus into a grave if even one tenth of what she now suspected was true. The woman had been a force to be reckoned with.

A shudder went down her spine. Harry Potter may look like his father, but she had begun to rethink her ideas of him because this year… this year he was his mother reincarnated. The steel in his spine and the look in his eyes as he turned the school on its head was all Lily Evan’s.

She knew one thing for a fact, she did not want to be on the end of Lily Evan’s rage, and that rage thrummed through the veins of her only son. That cold calculating rage that she could see just barely suppressed as he protected the new students with a fierceness that only Lily Evan’s had showed.

With a nod she made her decision and took out a parchment and quill. This was to be her last year teaching. Her judgement was no longer sound, her thoughts were too wrapped up with Albus’s ideas of the greater good, and soon it was going to all come crumbling down.

The next day she eyed the child who sat in-between two of her new students. The long-haired young man with a perpetual smile on his lips and the arrogant young man who seemed to look at everyone with a smile that said he was looking to cause trouble.  The third new student sat behind him; his head bowed over a book as he dutifully wrote down things in what appeared to be a muggle book. His eyes would glance up from time to time, but they weren’t to look at her but at Harry and, as if satisfied by what he saw, he would go back to what he was doing.

“Mr. Potter stay behind!” She called as class was let out. Those green eyes turned to lock onto her and a barely there frown marred his face as he retook his seat. She wasn’t even slightly surprised to see the other three sitting back down as if she had called them. A part of her wanted to be annoyed by it but the larger part was warmed by the care they showed to the boy. It was more care than she had ever given him.

“I wanted to apologize.” She began, much the same way her brother had. The young man looked at her and blinked before raising an eyebrow. “It might not mean anything to you, but I owed it to you to do so.” She stated as she took her seat behind the desk. “I allowed myself to be swayed by Albus and my previous failures and did not think on those I was failing. Your uncle,” She turned her eyes to Mr. Allegro. “Was right to take me to task for what I had allowed myself to be blinded to. I wanted to tell you that this will be my last year as a teacher. I have decided to retire.”

She locked eyes with the young man who crossed his arms over his chest and was looking at her with his head tilted in a familiar way. How had she failed to see Lily Evan’s in the boy? This was most assuredly her son.

“Retiring is not going to save your reputation when everything comes out, and it will come out.” The boy stated and she nodded her head.

“I am aware of my mistakes Mr. Evan’s.” She said and watched a taken aback look flash across the boy’s face. “You may look like your father, but you are your mother’s son. I see her staring out of you, and I don’t know how I had failed to see it before.”

A slow laugh left the boy’s lips as a look of actual mirth danced in his eyes. “Thank you, professor.” He stated as he stood up and walked towards the door, stopping with his hand hovering over the handle. “It really doesn’t mean much to me. Your apology. You failed me and the others far too much over the years, but.” He paused as he turned and locked eyes with her. “It does show that you are not beyond redemption. I admire the fact that you can see how wrong you have been over the years. I won’t ever like you, that ship sailed before you ever had a chance to find where it was heading. However, I can respect you.” He pursed his lips in thought for a moment before continuing. “You really have no idea just how much I have in common with my mother. I appreciate you acknowledging the fact that I am not just James Potter’s son. It often seems that people forget I had a mother. A mother I am proud of. I don’t mind being called Mr. Evan’s ma’am.” With that he vanished taking the three others with him.

A small smile curved Minerva McGonagall’s lips and much later she would tell people that it was a turning point in her life.

Chapter Text

The weekend following the talk with McGonagall was a Hogsmeade weekend and Skull was looking forward to it, even as he studiously ignored the trio of idiots that still looked as if they could not take a clue. He had to stop all three of his elements from killing the trio on multiple occasions and was tempted to just allow it. He knew the three could kill them, frame someone and never get caught. They were the best in their fields for a reason. Hell, he could do it just as well but if he killed them, he just knew Dumble’s, and his boy band would point fingers and he did not need the suspicion aimed at him while he was working towards tearing the old man’s power base down.

Still, it would be nice if Viper, Colonnello, and Lal could meet with them. He missed his other idiots. Or in Lal and Viper’s cases the level headedness they represented…. mostly represented. A smile curved his lips, getting him a soft smile from the three watching their adorable little Sky.

“Skull.” Fon called dragging those sparkling eyes towards himself. Skull let out a questioning hum as the Storm stalked over to him and he allowed the man to pull him into his arms, ignoring the muttering from Reborn and Verde about Fon taking advantage of his person. A part of him wondered when they were going to let that stupid joke go.

“You’ve been vibrating with excitement since we got up.” Fon muttered into his ear, and he could feel the warm breath on his neck as the man spoke, a chill ran down his spine and it wasn’t from the cold.

“I miss the others. It’s like a perpetual ache in my chest where they’re supposed to be. I can’t wait for the holidays where we can have more than just a few moments together.” Skull admitted and Fon raised his eyes to lock on the still form of the Sun and Lightning.

“You haven’t mentioned that before.” Verde stated, his voice flat but his eyes sparked with worry and Skull shrugged from within the Storm’s tight embrace.

“It’s not debilitating. Just a low ache like a soar muscle that’s been overly used, and I know why they can’t join us here. I know they all have a job to do so we can get out of here quicker, it’s just…” He trailed off and felt himself shuffled into Reborn’s hold. He could feel the man’s Sun Flames seeping into him and wanted to roll his eyes. There wasn’t anything physically wrong with him that the man could fix.

Reborn shared a worried glance over Skull’s small frame. Not much was actually known about Sky Flames. He knew that the elements often felt the separation, it was something they all knew and had decided to deal with, they had not known a Sky would feel it and the way some Sky’s went through elements made him wonder if it wasn’t just a Skull thing. They had been bound tighter than any Sky/element ever before.

He toyed with the idea of taking his precious Cloudy Sky and leaving. Killing any of the idiotic sheep that came after them, but that wasn’t a great idea. They had already changed so much in this time. If they took Skull and left they would have the Wizarding World and Mafia breathing down their necks. It wasn’t something they couldn’t deal with, but Skull would grumble about wasting resources and that it wasn’t necessary.

That truly left only one option, Lal, Viper, and Colonnello needed to come to Hogwarts. A dark smile curved his lips. The school could barely take having half of them he didn’t think it would be standing if they all came. Besides, while it was easier to do what they needed to do in order to protect Skull from Voldemort outside of the school, he didn’t doubt they could still do so under the old man’s gaze.

He nearly snorted at the image of the old fucker facing one of Vipers illusions. This might be fun. His gaze sharpened as he felt a pair of eyes on them, and he glanced over to see the seething red bimbo fuming as she looked at Skull locked into his embrace.

He wondered how much Viper would charge him to drive the girl to suicide. It could be fun.

“I don’t want to know.” Skull muttered and he glanced down to see the bemused green eyes on him. A small soft smile was on the smaller males’ lips.

“You always did prefer to watch the chaos.” Reborn drawled getting a soft laugh from Skull who pulled himself back only to be pulled into Verde’s hold.

“If we're late Viper is going to charge us a fortune.” He muttered as he began to steer Skull out and away from the fuming gaze of the idiotic child. His eyes flashed as he found a pair of brown eyes watching them with unbridled hatred in it’s gaze. An unhinged possessive Latent corrupt-Lightning who reeked of the corrupt Sky Flames from the old man. A pathetic excuse of a bonded element. He gave a look to Fon and nodded slightly to the shadowed corridor and watched his Storm’s eyes flash when he caught sight of the idiotic girl who thought herself so very smart.

A dark smile curved his lips, he had plans for the idiotic little thing. Fon’s eyes went over to him, and an amused glint touched the man’s eyes. The fact the girl thought herself unnoticed showed just how highly she thought of her own intellect. He was looking forward to playing with her.

Chapter Text

Skull felt like a weight had been removed from his chest at the sight of Lal, Colonnello and Viper sitting in a reserved room in the Hogshead. He found himself in a tight embrace courtesy of his male Rain who gingerly pulled him to sit on the male’s lap, a large rough hand trailing through his hair. His eyes fluttered, closing drowsily as he soaked up the Flames the others had saturated the room in.

“He hasn’t been sleeping well. We thought it was because of the idiots in that school.” Verde stated once it was obvious Skull was asleep. His youthful face smoothed out and angelic looking in his sleep. Colonnello lifted the smaller form to better position him so that he could be comfortable.

“Thought?” Viper snapped the word out, there head turning to stare at them with a hint of fury as if they had failed to do their job and take care of Skull.

“He feels the separation.” Fon hummed with a nod, his gaze boring into Skull’s small form. “It pains him.” He admitted and his lips tugged down into a frown. Skull had always had a high pain tolerance, for him to say it was a dull ache and admit that it bothered him meant it would have been on par to being tortured for any other person.

“He shouldn’t feel the separation.” Viper growled as they folded their arm. Their brain going over every piece of information they had on every Sky they had ever met. Never had there been a documented case of a Sky being pained from a separation. Even Tsuna and Xanxus had not felt any type of discomfort when their bonded elements were away for too long.

“There has never been a case like ours.” Reborn stated with a shrug. “Skull is as much our Cloud as he is our Sky. Our bond is deeper than most peoples. We all know we were going into discord when he died. Most Sky’s don’t bond as deeply as Skull did. Most are passive, the elements are there for the protection of the Sky. Even Tsuna, as much as he loved his elements, they were still his elements first and his friends second. It’s the way it is.” He shrugged and Verde sighed.

“As far as Skull is concerned, we’re his Family first, even without Sky Flames we would be his number one priority.” He said and a small pleased grin curved his lips as he remembered that Skull had taken the time to learn about those he had loved and lost so that he would not be alone in his grief. No-one had ever done anything like that for him before. Skull… He was one of a kind. He was a perfect Sky and Cloud rolled into one small package and he would be damned if anyone would ever be allowed to take him from them again.

“So…” Colonnello stated with a frown on his normally jovial face. His eyes locked on Skull.

“What this idiot is trying to ask is when are we going to join the lot of you. We can easily set things up here to run smoothly without being here and there’s little we can do about the dark moron until Summer break when Skull and Fon are free to join us any way.” Lal stated with an eyeroll.

“Mu, if you think I am not going I will charge you.” Viper snarked and the three who had gone to Hogwarts to be with Skull shared an amused look. “My articles are already written and ready to be released. I am not needed on this side of things, and I can better gather information about the old man from within the castle.”

“I wouldn’t dream of keeping you away from Skull Viper. I might need your help since this idiot keeps sneaking into Skull’s bed.” Reborn grinned as he pointed to Fon who gave him an amused look as the uproar his words caused.

“I am not the only one ‘sneaking’ into Skull’s bed.” Fon said calmly as he took a sip of tea that the others would swear had not been there before. A smile on the Storm’s lips.

“Lal!” Colonnello whined with a puppy dog look at the female Rain. “Can I please shoot them?” He asked pleadingly. “They’re trying to corrupt the Lackey!”

“Nello, you make a bad pillow. Your loud. No shooting.” Skull slurred as he shifted, his eyes remaining closed.

“Go back to sleep Lackey. The idiots not shooting anyone right now.” Lal called with a snort and Skull mumbled unintelligently from his spot before falling back asleep.

“Tell us what kind of chaos the Lackey has been up to.” Lal demanded as she sat back in her seat, her eyes on the three males who shared a devious smile before telling them the things they had left out of the few letters they had been sending.

“The red head is mine.” Viper stated coldly once they had finished. Their eyes flashing with the fury of their Flame.

“Which one?” Verde asked dryly, reminding them that there is in fact two red heads that needed to be dealt with and possibly more.

“All of them.” Viper smirked evilly from under their cowl. “They are responsible for hurting him before we met, its only fair they get to experience some of the humiliation Skull felt.”

“I have plans for Granger.” Verde admitted with a slight incline of his head. “I will leave the red heads to you, but the idiot is mine.”

“Then were all agreed?” Reborn questioned with a look of utter satisfaction on his face. “The world’s strongest set is going to play in Hogwarts?”

“Kora, you’re out of your fucking mind if you think any of us is staying behind. How do you think the staff would respond if we continued Skull’s prank war in their oh so sacred halls?”

“Want to find out?” Reborn questioned with an unholy smile that the others shared.

Chapter Text

Skull was vibrating with excitement as he looked towards the door’s he had seen Viper, Lal, and Colonnello disappear behind, each dressed in a school uniform. It had been just over two weeks since he had seen them, and not once had any of the others mentioned them coming to join them.

“Your adorable.” Fon muttered fondly into his ear. One long arm wrapped possessively around his waist; a textbook sat on the lawn in front of them. Reborn had pushed his fedora up, showing the brightness of his eyes and an unholy grin on his lips.

“Nobody said anything.” Skull defended himself getting a laugh from his elements. Even Verde glanced up from where he was looking over Skull’s work and smirked a gleam of amusement in his eyes.

“It wouldn’t have been a surprise if we had told you. Besides, it wouldn’t have done anyone any good if we got your hopes up and something stopped them from being able to come.” Reborn stated with a shrug lowering the fedora to cover his eyes.

“I thought they were doing other things.” Skull questioned after a moment and Verde snorted.

“There is nothing they can’t do here that they were doing out there. Besides, it would be a shame not to let them have some fun.” Fon muttered into his ear.

“You are all terrible.” Skull grunted with an eyeroll after a moment. A small smile slipping on his lips.

“Love you too.” Reborn said, his voice loud enough to carry and Skull was not at all surprised to turn his head and see Ginny hiding in the shadows. Her face red with fury. Her brown eyes were bulging and beside her was Hermione, holding her arm as if to hold the other girl back. Skull wanted to snort, he wasn’t at all surprised that Reborn knew they were there, and he didn’t doubt for a moment that Reborn knew it.

“Love you more.” He stated happily, raising his voice and batting his lashes at the hitman who raised his fedora and grinned.

“Pass him over, you’ve been hogging him long enough Fon.” Reborn said and Skull could feel the Storms laughter vibrating against his back as the man stood, easily lifting Skull with himself, and depositing him into the Sun’s waiting hold.

“You’re a troll.” Reborn whispered into his ear, and to the women watching it looked like the sun was nibbling on his ear. Skull let out a loud giggle.

“You say the kindest things. I do love the gift you guys gave me. You’re the best a bloke like me could ever dream of having. I’m glad you promised me forever.” He stated and suppressed a cackle.

“Darling, forever with you won’t be long enough.” Reborn stated seriously. “We’d gladly go to hell and back for you.”

“I would rearrange time itself for you.” Verde grunted with a serious look, but his eyes told Skull just how amused his Lightning was. “This is acceptable.” He said as he passed Skull’s work back to him and settled himself against Reborn’s tree, grabbing one of Skull’s hands and holding it against his chest. A wicked smile crossed the man’s face only briefly.

He brought Skull’s hand up and kissed the back of it. “Such beauty should be bottled.” He stated with a sigh and Skull was reminded that all of his elements were trolls on another level who enjoyed toying with stupid people.

Skull nearly let on to their game as Fon came over to sit on the other side and grabbed his free hand. “It is a rare sight.” He agreed with a serious nod to Verde.

“I hate to think of what may have happened had we not come across you by chance. You may have ended up married to a horrid girl. What’s the red heads name…Ninny?” Fon asked with a tilt to his head and his eyebrows scrunched as if in thought.

“Which one? The male or female?” Verde questioned raising an eyebrow as if he truly was unsure.

“There’s a difference? I was sure they were utilizing a spell to make them into two people. The female one maybe?”

“It’s understandable. They do act a lot alike. Their just like their mother. It’s rather a scary thought.” Skull stated with a dramatic sigh as Reborn patted his thigh in mock sympathy.

“Don’t worry precious we won’t allow the Ninny to get you.” Reborn ‘muttered’ his voice carrying and Skull to see the way Ginny was struggling in Hermione’s hold. Her fury a tangible thing in the air and a part of him hoped that Hermione’s vise like grip would slip and the fool would come over. Watching his elements tear the chit to shreds with their words would be a delightful sight.

He watched as the brunet whispered soothingly into the chit’s ear. Soothing the rabid beast who gave them one last dark look before stumping off.

“Here you have something….” Reborn stated smoothly as he gently pushed Skull’s hair away from his ear and bent down. “I rather hoped she would come over to play with us. Although it doesn’t seem like the other one is going to be as much fun to scare off as that one...." He paused and Skull could feet a touch of a smile against the shell of his ear.  "Although Verde does want to play with her.”

Chapter Text

Most people who saw the Arcobaleno’s saw a bunch of irredeemable killers. Monsters who should be put down or thrown into a cell.

Fon, a Martial Art’s prodigy who was the neutral enforcer to the Triad’s, a band of criminals feared all through Asia, and the Triad’s feared him.

Reborn, the Strongest Flame user to have ever existed. A man who used his talents to kill rather than using them the way others said he should, to be a healer. He had made a name and reputation as the World’s Best Hitman. A man it was suicidal to cross.

Verde, the next Da Vinci. A Lightning who refused to be a meat shield for some pampered little prince. A man with loose morals who would kill you just so he could pull you apart to see what was inside.

Colonnello, a mercenary who left the army to join ranks with the scum of the universe. Lal March his commanding officer who had shrugged uncaring as she was told she could no longer be in the forces. They had taken to a life as a merc as if they had been bred and born to it.

Viper, the World’s best information broker. They only sold the best information, and everything had its price. Just like they would sell you information about someone they would sell someone else information about you. Nothing escaped their net.

None of them were the least bit surprised to see the others at that faithful meeting. No, the surprise came from a small little thing with purple hair who dressed like a punk rocker wearing a bike suit. A chagrined smile on his lips and a warmth in his eyes that made the others want.

Skull wasn’t a killer. That much was obvious from day one. Fon had written the little purple kid off as a joke. A very bad joke. The kid didn’t belong in their world, and he didn’t like the way Luce had pushed them into taking the kid with them.

The first time Skull had been kidnapped to get to them he had felt fear clench his heart, because for all that Skull was a pushover who was loud and obnoxious, the kid had a tendency to be sweet without wanting anything in return. He would have been weary of it, no one was kind in their world without wanting something. A friend was an ally that you may one day have to kill. Everyone in their line of work knew this. You didn’t let people get close to you unless you wanted a knife in your back.

So, when he had seen Skull baking Vipers favorite cake, he had wanted to roll his eyes. He had wondered what the kid thought he was doing. Viper was not one who would take baked pastries as payment. They preferred cash. He had smirked but didn’t say anything. The kid would learn in his own time. Only…Only that night Luce had taken credit for the baked treat. Smiling as Viper gave a grudging thank you. Fon had expected the kid to speak up, to be offended that someone was homing in on him trying to make a connection, but Skull had not said anything.

It was the first of many things Luce would try to take credit for. When his favorite meal was placed before him by the smiling happy Sky who went on and on about how hard she had worked in the kitchen to make it for him he had not trusted a word she had said. Instead, he had stopped the Cloud from going to the garage, blocking the small frame. He could feel the others curious eyes boring into him, after all he had not gone out of his way to speak to the smaller male before. None of them had, in fact if Skull was not forced to go on missions with them you wouldn’t even know he was supposed to be a part of their group.  They had all simultaneously ignored the smaller male.

“Dinner was delicious, I had not been aware you knew how to cook it but thank you.” He had bowed his head a smiled gently as those purple eyes widened.

“I…Um…. You're welcome?” Skull more asked then said giving him an odd look as he walked past him towards his sanctuary. He was not surprised when the others had demanded to know what that was all about. Nor was he blind to the way they had taken to mistrusting the Sky afterwards.

Everything the pregnant Donna told them was taken apart. None of them was that desperate for a Sky. They had taken to bringing Skull away from his sanctuary. Into the warmth of the house where they forced Skull to spend time with them.

So yes, the first time the small Cloud had been kidnapped his heart had ceased beating for a moment before fury rolled through his form.

None of them had expected the kid to come out of it unscathed. If he came out of it at all. So, imagine his surprise when they had gotten to the warehouse, hoping, but not truly expecting to find Skull alive to see the small male beating a man with his own arm.

“You! Broke! My! Bike!” Skull snarled.

That was the first time they had seen Skull’s temper, but it would not be the last. It was also the first time that Fon thought of the smaller male as someone of interest.

Finding out that Skull was a Cloudy-Sky, something that should have been impossible, really was not all that surprising. Bonding to Skull had been the most natural thing in the world and once he had begun to let his own guard down, they had found that under the mask of an obnoxious child was a man who enjoyed trolling others.

Skull enjoyed being underestimated. He enjoyed letting others form their own opinions and never bothered to correct those opinions. He was snarky but could solve a puzzle quicker than anyone any of them had ever met. While he was not at all on Verde or Reborn’s level of intellect he was not stupid.

Skull could decipher a clue in no time flat. He could point out the villain in any movie within the first few minutes of it playing. He was kind but unlike what they had first thought, Skull was not a pushover. When it mattered, he had a spine that could put even Reborn’s to shame.

The curse? The curse had just been another aspect of their lives. Skull had not allowed it to destroy them. He had stood as a rock foundation in the sea of their anger and hurt. Skull had been their light. His death…. his death had nearly unhinged them.

It had unhinged them.

Fon had seen the same look in his elements eyes that he saw in his own. Coming back…well there really was no other option. If they could not bring Skull back from the dead, then they would have to go to him. Finding out their beloved Cloudy-Sky was Harry Potter…. Well Fon almost felt as if the universe was laughing at them.

It didn’t actually change anything of course. It simply gave them perspective as to why Skull was the way he was. Having Skull remember them had been a boon in and of itself. Holding his small Cloudy Sky that night had been heaven.

The separation had hurt. Not to the point of driving him crazy, but it had hurt. The only thing he was thankful for was that Skull did not suffer from it.

Going to Hogwarts had been both his best and worst idea. Seeing the mockery of the education Skull had gotten had left a bad taste in his mouth. Seeing those…pests who thought his little one was a plaything had the monster lurking under his skin taking notice.

Reborn and Verde joining them had been a smart move on the Sun’s part, because in truth he did not think he would last much longer before he slaughtered everyone in sight. It would have been a shame to kill Enma and his guardians, but the beast wanted to take his precious little Sky home. The monster desired to protect the most important thing in his life that he had lost once already.

The others coming? Well, that calmed him even further. The beast that resided in his chest was not pleased, of course but he no longer felt like he would kill everyone in sight. Watching Reborn and Skull play the fool who thought herself a queen was rather fun. He had always enjoyed watching Skull troll others. It was a beautiful sight.

That evening he was unsurprised to see Viper, Colonnello and Lal in the common room. Because where else would they be sorted then in the dorm with the very person who made their empty shell of a life full of warmth.

“You alright Kora?” Colonnello’s voice broke him out of his thoughts as he turned to look at the blond male who looked at him with concern written on his face.

“Skull?” He questioned with a frown. He had been so lost in thought he had not even seen his precious one leave.

“Is in bed. I placed enough devices that I will know if anyone tries anything.” Verde stated flippantly.

Reborn gave a noncommittal hum as he looked at them all. His eyes couldn’t help but to trail over to the stare case. Not that Fon blamed him. He did not like having Skull out of his sight.

“We need to plan, and I would rather Skull wasn’t part of it. For all that he says he’s over them…” He trailed off and Fon inclined his head. While he knew Skull could take the killing shot none of them wanted their tiny fluff ball put into such a position.

“Being around Skull has helped, but I fear I am still suffering the effects from his death.” He admitted before they could get into planning. “Being away from him sets me off.”

A snort left Reborn and Fon turned to look at them man who sat relaxing.

“That had nothing to do with Skull leaving us. You never liked having Skull out of your sights. If it would have been possible you would have had him living with you while we were cursed. As it was you made the rest of us check up on him if he was even a minute late responding to your text messages or didn’t answer your phone call.”

A gut busting laugh left Colonnello. “Remember that time Skull broke his phone, you didn’t even wait for any of us to go check on him. You bought out an entire plane to take you to Italy, convinced he was kidnapped and hurt.”

“I remember that. The Lackey was staying with me, and you burst into my labs convinced I was torturing him.” Verde stated dryly but there was a look of friendly warmth in his gaze that had Fon giving the man a ruthful smile. He remembered that incident. Skull had fussed over him, convinced that he was sick and was only using him not answering his phone as an excuse to come over and be taken care of. The others had found Skull’s mothering to be the pentacle of humorous.

“Point is, you were never sane when it came to Skull. That you feel like your unhinged isn’t all that surprising; we’ve been saying it for years. You probably only notice it because you went so long without him that it feels even more intense now that he’s back.” Lal grunted with an eyeroll.

“As you say.” He conceded after a moment.

“When he is no longer under-age you should just marry him. Save us all the headache of you running around after him.” Verde stated and Fon gave the man a sharp toothed smile. That was an idea Fon had thought over more often than anyone could ever imagine. A dream he loved to contemplate.

“Now can we get back to what we are going to do to those pests?” Viper asked from where they sat.

“For the moment.” Fon agreed. He felt the tension drain from his form as he plotted with his fellow elements. A familiar warmth spread through him as they thought of vicious ways to pay the trio back for the kindness, they had shown his Sky. He could not wait until morning when they would feel the edges of the Arcobaleno’s wrath. They would suffer long before they were killed.

Chapter Text

Skull knew his elements. Knew them better than anyone in the world. He knew they were planning on getting vengeance for him, not that he needed it. He could, had, and will take vengeance for himself. He wasn’t the beaten down boy from the cupboard anymore. He had embraced his life, broken free of the chains the Wizarding World had molded for him. Still, it was nice that they were trying to protect him.

Still…If anyone was going to get revenge on the three idiots he had been forced to put up with the first time around, it would be him. He didn’t feel an ounce of guilt as he dismantled the machines Verde placed to alert him. A glance at Neville showed that the Earth was wide awake.

“I solemnly swear that I am up to no good.” Neville stated with a wicked grin.

“Cover for me?” He asked as Neville snorted.

“Don’t be too long. The twins are in the East tower waiting on you.”

“Thanks Enma. You’re the best.” Skull grinned as he took out his cloak and snuck out of the room.

“When he is no longer under-age you should just marry him. Save us all the headache of you running around after him.” He heard Verde mutter sounding more amused then annoyed. He faintly heard Fon give a low amused hum as he snuck his way out of the dorm.

He would think about just who Fon was crushing on later. He refused to acknowledge the way his chest hurt. He wasn’t in love with his Storm. He wasn’t…was he?

“Awe!”

“If it isn’t!”

“Our favorite!”

“Little!”

“Brother!”

Two familiar voices drew him out of his thoughts, and he was only slightly startled to see he was already in the East Tower. Fred and George standing in front of him with grins on their faces.

“That isn’t saying much considering the only other ‘little brother’ you have is Ron, and I doubt he’s anyone’s ideal brother.”

The two red heads let out a laugh. “What has you in such a state Skull?” Fred asked pulling him into a hug and he felt himself melt into the familiar form.

“Nothing I want to talk about.” He muttered and felt another pair of arms wrap around him. The twins always did give the best hugs.

“We can’t be long Skull.” George muttered into his ear. “We have a lot we need to talk about, but for now here.” He said as he pulled back and Skull grinned as he looked at the bag his brothers handed to him.

“We’ll set something up at Christmas. I want you to properly meet my family.” He said and got a nod from the devious duo.

“Christmas!” They called together as they climbed onto their brooms. Skull didn’t dare to stick around to watch them leave. He knew his elements and needed to be back before they had enough of planning. If they discovered him missing from his bed, they would tear the castle apart.

A slow smile creeped onto his lips. He loved them, all of them. They were his family. He wouldn’t ruin that by trying to stand in Fon’s way. If Fon found a person, he wanted to be with then Skull would step aside. He would welcome that person in and would force himself to get over whatever hurt might appear. He would give up everything for his family, even if that everything was his own happiness.

“I’m going to bed.” He heard Reborn grunt once he was back in the common room. He easily slipped up the stairs, only just making it to his bed before the others came in. He smiled as Lal slid into Colonnello’s bed. He wasn’t at all surprised that the wards didn’t take notice of her being female.

He steadied his breathing as his bed dipped and Reborn’s long arms curled around him. “Did you have fun lackey?” He asked into his ear and Skull wanted to groan.

“You knew I was leaving.” It wasn’t a question and one look at his Sun’s gleaming eyes said that the man knew it too.

“You’re still a lackey.” Reborn smirked.

“You didn’t stop me?”

“Did I need to? I trust that you weren’t getting yourself into trouble you couldn’t get out of and even if you had there is nothing that would have stopped us from coming to rescue you. Might even get to see you lose that façade you're so fond of. You know Fon thinks you're adorable when you cut an idiot down to size.”

Skull could feel himself blushing and an unholy gleam entered the man’s eyes. “You’re blushing.” He stated and Skull buried his face into his pillow to hide it. “Don’t tell me you're crushing on the man.” Reborn taunted gently. His voice kept low so no one else could hear them.

“You’re a bastard.” Skull grunted into his pillow.

“That’s not a denial.” Reborn muttered and Skull gave a half shrug.

“I’m a teenager again and Fon is…well it’s Fon.” He stated softly and turned his head to peer at the man. “Don’t say anything?” He half asked and half ordered.

“I don’t do match making.” Reborn smirked and Skull narrowed his eyes because that was not what he had asked and Reborn loved to cause mischief. “Go to sleep Skull.” The Sun ordered and Skull let out a sigh.

“Bastard.” He muttered as the larger male pulled him closer.

“Lackey.” Reborn stated softly. He stayed in that position until Skull fell into a deep sleep. His breath evening out and his heart rate slowing to a soft thump under his large hand.

“Hurt him and I’ll fucking gut you.” Reborn stated as he looked over into the red eyes of the Storm that he knew had been listening in on their conversation. This had been a conversation he had been itching to have with the Storm for years. The only thing that had stopped him was the fact they were in the bodies of children. Now however, there was nothing stopping the assassin from pursuing their Sky.

“Hand him over Kora.” Colonnello grunted as he stood from his own bed and stretched his arms out to take the smaller form. “Skull’s sleeping and you're going to wake him.”

“Mu, Skull will sleep with me tonight.” Viper called appearing on the other side of the bed. They had Skull sequestered into their own bed before anyone could form an argument. The hangings were pulled taunt.

“You two fuckers are too worked up. Go find a place to spar.” Lal ordered with a snort as the pout on Colonnello’s face. “Take that idiot with you so I can sleep.” She stated before rolling over and burying herself into the blanket.

“That doesn’t seem like a bad idea.” Reborn grunted as he stood from Skull’s bed. It had been a while since they had a good spar and regardless of what he had told Skull he had not liked allowing Skull to leave without one of them with him to protect him. The only reason he had allowed it was because Skull might be their Sky but he was also a Cloud and he would not be the one to try and cage his Cloud.

He would kill the fucker stupid enough to try.

…

Skull didn’t know why he was surprised to wake up in Viper’s bed. His Mist wrapped around him and buried under blankets. The Mist Flames saturated the small space making the bed feel like he was laying on the softest cloud. A smile spread across his lips as he wiggled out of the tight hold only to get glared at by the Mist who opened one indigo eye to glare at him.

“Sorry Viper.” He muttered and the Mist narrowed their eyes at him.

“You're planning something.” They grunted and Skull gave them a sheepish smile. He never could hide anything from the Mist when they truly wanted to know something.

“I appreciate that you all want to take revenge for me but…” He trailed off only to find himself being straddled by his Mist.

“I want in. If you want up, you will take me with you.” They demanded and Skull bit his lips for a moment before a smile slid across his lips.

“Deal.” He agreed and the Mist moved to stand, straightening their robes to cover their face. Hiding their eyes from anyone who might be up.

Chapter Text

Viper was glad they wore a robe that hid their face. They knew the sight of the fire in their eyes would give them away as they watched the entrance to the great hall. Waiting for the victims…err that is t say test subjects… entered. They had not actually done anything, they had simply sat back and allowed Skull to work. He was very efficient and knew his targets better than they had given him credit for.

They nearly counted the moments until the trio came dashing in. Ignoring the idiots trying to talk to them. As if they had time for the dim wits of the Magical Enclaves. They would not even be here if Skull wasn’t here.

Viper lowered their face into their arms when the trio came in. Silent laughter shook their frame. The bushy know-it-all girl’s hair looked as if she had put a fork in an electrical socket. Her mane stood up in all directions. Skull had decided to pick them off one by one instead of targeting them all at once. To make his revenge all the sweeter. However, his revenge prank did not stop there, much to the Mist’s pleasure.

“Miss Granger what is the meaning of this!” The Charms professor demanded during their first class of the day.He had only just taken a glance at the homework he had assigned and picked up. He glared balefully at the idiot who went from looking superior to looking confused.

“What do you mean sir?” The girl asked.

“I asked for your homework! I did not ask for a piece of parchment with Missus Ronald Weasley written all over it covered in hearts!” The small male glared at her.

“This…” She paused a look of horror on her face as she looked at the parchment the professor held. Indeed, written in the girls own handwriting was ‘Missus Ronald Weasley’. Little flashing hearts were around the name.

“I…I didn’t do this! Someone must have switched it!” She cried.

“A likely story Miss. Granger. Ten points from Gryffindor and you will be serving detention tonight. I had expected better from you than this.”

Things did not get better for the girl. Viper watched amusedly as she took out trashy romance novels instead of her textbooks. Turned in homework that was only half finished and the other half coated in little drawings that depicted the professor for said class in a very unflattering way.

They watched as the silly child who had hurt their baby brother was brought to tears, but they were not moved. The girl deserved every bit of what she was getting. To hurt and cage Skull the way she had was unforgivable and Viper was very much enjoying Skull’s revenge.

“I thought we had agreed that the girl was mine.” Verde muttered to them with a frown at lunch and Viper smirked darkly.

“This isn’t my work.” They stated simply and Verde’s eyes narrowed slightly as he searched their face before looking to the others as if to find the culprit. Viper watched amusedly as Skull turned his head slightly and gave Verde a wide smile that told the man just who was at fault for the girl’s bad luck.

“Skull?” He asked turning back to them and Viper gave a slight incline of their head.

“He wants to have some fun with them.” They agreed lightly, in too good of a mood to charge for that bit of information.

A dark smile stole across the man’s face. “I was sure Skull would have enjoyed watching us take care of the pests.” He muttered and Viper shrugged.

“Skull never was one to like others trying to take his revenge. What was it he used to say, ‘It’s not nice to steal someone else’s kill’. I do believe not allowing him to play would be seen as taking his kill.”

“He is a devious little bastard.” Verde chuckled as he picked up the nearest cup, holding it up when Skull looked over and took a drink. A smile crossed the Cloudy-Sky’s face as he picked up his own and took a swig.

…

Hermione felt like she was losing her mind. This had been the worst week of her life. First, she had handed in a piece of parchment in Charms that was most decidedly not the homework she had worked hard on, and she had not been able to find the actual work. Then somehow, she had taken out muggle romance novels and had not even noticed. She had opened it up and began reading only for it to be snatched out of her hand. The professor had deducted a number of points and given her the second detention of the day.

Then her other homework had been replaced by work that was not hers, but the professors had not listened when she said it wasn’t hers. She had racked up a detention in every class that day.

Then, she had found herself doodling in class. Her notes had been confiscated by her teachers and she had been marked with T’s in every class she had attended.

And if that wasn’t bad enough the week had continued on like that. Her usually frizzy hair had become even more untamable as the days passed until there were so many knots that she was tempted to cut it all off. Surely going bald would be better than the mess her hair currently was.

The day she woke up with frizzy pink polka dotted hair was the final straw. She knew someone must have pranked her, but she didn’t know who. None of her classmates looked even the slightest bit guilty. There were no self-satisfied smiles on anyone’s lips other than the slimy snakes at the Slytherin table. She just didn’t know how those evil bastards had done it and no one believed her when she said it was their fault.

Fuming mad she took a pair of scissors and attacked the rat’s nest on her head. She looked in satisfaction as the horrid nest fell to the floor. There, now those evil Snakes would not be able to do anything to her.

The smile lasted only a few moments, when she looked in the mirror it was to see her scalp was dyed with neon yellow and green. Clashing horridly with the small hairs left on her head and making for a nauseating sight.

The next week was not much better. The professors, tired of her having romance novels in class had come to her dormitory to take the books out of her trunk. Her head of house went pale before turning livid eyes to her. “How long?” She hissed sounding like a cat and Hermione was confused as the professor pushed a piece of parchment in front of her. It took her a moment to see what she was looking at. In the professors hands was a graded parchment from a student that had graduated with full marks last year and attached to it was her own half-written essay.

“Minerva!” Professor Flitwick called with another piece of parchment in hand. “You need to see this!”

“Dear Miss. Granger” The professor read aloud, and Hermione felt her stomach plummet.

“For your help keeping Mr. Potter in his place I have gifted you the promised papers from students who had full marks in their classes. Please remember to put your own spin on them so as not to alert the faculty that you have them.

Sincerest regards,

Albus Wulfric Brian Dumbledore.”

The professors shared dark looks of anger. “There is an entire file. Dating all the way back to first year.” Professor Sprout mumbled, her hands shaking with fury. “Goodness me, here is the test questions and answers for the end of the year exams!” She gasped as she pulled out another file.

“Filius.” Professor McGonagall called after a moment. Her eyes brewing with a storm the likes Hermione had never seen. “I need you to summon the board of Governors.” Hermione opened her mouth to protest but the sharp look she got from the older woman had her speechless.

“The headmaster has made some questionable decisions, but never in all of my years did I think he would go so low as to help a child cheat their way into the top spot in this school. He, and you have made a mockery out of this esteemed establishment. You will be waiting right here with me and the other professor’s while we await the board. I do not think I should have to tell you that you are looking at expulsion.”

Hermione had fumed for all of a moment before calming herself. She had not cheated; the headmaster would help her. He had given those to her as a study guide and there was nothing wrong with having a study guide. She sniffed disdainfully at the teachers. They were nothing compared to the headmaster and would be soon reminded of their place.

An hour later a man came to get them. He had no recognizable features, and she knew he must work in the Unspeakable department. Perhaps as compensation for this she would demand that the man answer some of her questions. Her eyes gleamed hungrily at the thought of all the knowledge she could get out of him.

Half an hour later she was watching with horror as her wand was snapped. They had not even allowed her a chance to defend herself. The moment she had opened her mouth to protest their ‘proof’ the Unspeakable had cast a silencing charm on her and nothing the headmaster said seemed to make any difference.

“Miss. Hermione Jane Granger, you are hereby expelled from Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. A newly created seal has been placed that will keep you from mentioning magic to anyone, it will also keep you from using any of your magic. Let this be a lesson that you are not above the rules.” The grave gravelly voice from the unspeakable spoke slowly but surely. She felt her magic waver before being blocked entirely by the seal the man had placed.

Chapter Text

Skull was amused. He had heard the rumors regarding his once best friend cheating. One glance at Vipers face and he knew just who was responsible for it. Viper looked like the cat who caught the canary. To an on looker his Mist might look like they had no interest in the rumors, but he had known them for too many years to allow that look to fool them.

Granger was many things, and most of those were not nice things, but one thing she had never been was a cheater. The fact that she had argued that the headmaster gave them to her, and the fact that the headmaster agreed told him loudly that a Mist had been playing, and only one Mist in the entire world was strong enough to create an illusion like that.

“I’m not sure if I should be impressed or scold you. I was enjoying taking my revenge.” He told them with an amused look on his face.

“You are the one who said her biggest fear was expulsion. I was simply helping things along.” Viper shrugged uncaringly but a sinister smile was on their lips and Skull couldn’t stop the laugh from bubbling up.

“Viper!” He whined as a large arm wrapped around his waist.

“What are you whining about Lackey?” Reborn purred into his ear.

“Viper interfered with my revenge.” He pouted much to the amusement of the others.

“Skull.” Fon called with a fond smile and Skull turned to look at him. “I heard there was an unspeakable, how would Viper have been able to fool one of them? Surly they would have noticed if anyone’s minds had been messed with?”

“Unspeakable?” Skull questioned before catching the look on Reborn’s face. The man looked far too innocent. He elbowed the man who let out a soft chuckle into his ear. “You guys are the worst!” He called out but couldn’t stop the laughter from leaving his lips.

“You wound us, Lackey!” Reborn called out but the shark like smile on his face told the Cloudy-Sky that the Sun wasn’t hurt at all by his words.

“You can’t have all the fun without us Kora!” Colonnello grinned unrepentantly.

“Your lucky we gave you time to torment her first.” Lal agreed with a snort of amusement as she looked at the little fluff ball Reborn was wrapped around.

“The worst!” Skull repeated with a snicker. He wasn’t all that upset by the others getting in on his revenge. If he was in their shoes, he probably would have done the same…or worst. He wasn’t known for his patience after all.

“So…does that mean I get to play with the red head?” Verde asked and Skull looked at the man who was…he was pouting. Skull let out a small laugh at the look on the man’s face. He knew that pout. That was a pout he wore when someone took away his fun. Meaning he had been planning on playing with Hermione and the others had taken that away from him.

“I had plans for my revenge.” He sighed dramatically.

“You’re a heathen.” Verde called out to him as he snickered his eyes sparkling in a way that the others all adored. It had been a while since they had seen this particular sparkle in there Cloudy-Sky’s eyes.

“I guess I can let you help me.” He stated with a shrug an unholy light in his eyes and Fon moved, grasping the smaller male from the Sun’s arms.

“We have to wait until after the Winter break.” Skull stated. Completely unfazed by being manhandled. This wasn’t the first time he had been ‘stolen’ from one of his elements by another and he knew no amount of arguing would stop them. For a bunch of hard asses who were feared criminals they were very clingy. He put it down to Sky attraction.

“Does that mean your going to let the rest of us help you?” Fon asked, his lips brushing over Skull’s ear in an intimate gesture that caused his heart to stutter.

“I want them to suffer, the way I suffered. I want their worst fears to come to pass. If you're planning on killing them before I get that then you can stay home. I have plans.” He stated as he turned his head to look into the Storm’s eyes.

“After?” Fon asked with a tilt of his head.

“We are going to kill them after, right?” Colonnello more whined then asked and Skull turned his gaze to the Rain who looked like a kicked puppy.

“I don’t care what you do to them after I play with them. So long as you don’t do it before I’m done.” He agreed after a moment. He would have suspected that he would feel some kind of pain after giving his elements the green light. He was only slightly surprised to find he really didn’t care. Whatever fuzzy feelings he had once felt for his old friends had disappeared into a black void. There life and death didn’t matter to him. He smiled at the boyish cheer that came from his Rain.

“You do know the way to a man’s heart.” Fon whispered; his voice soft but it held a cruelty that few ever saw. Most people thought Fon was the kindest of them, bar Skull himself. Few ever realized that the man truly did enjoy being a Triad enforcer. He was a born killer. A man who enjoyed tearing his enemies apart, and being told he could kill Skull’s? He felt a feral smile climb his lips.

“Keep it up and I’ll leave you behind.” Skull snorted only to get a pout from the Storm.

“Mean.” Reborn stated with a wicked smile.

“Bastards. The lot of you.” Skull laughed as he relaxed into his Storm’s arms. Enjoying the feeling of the man behind him. It was a paradox, that a pair of hands that he knew could tear a man apart would hold him with such gentleness.

A low laugh filled Skull’s ear and he felt the Storm burry his face into his neck. The feel of teeth grazed his shoulder making him pause to look at the Storm who lifted his face and gave a predatory smile.

“We still need to make plans for the fucker with daddy issues.” Lal stated with her own amused look. Nobody commented on the heated look in Fon’s eyes. The man had always been smitten with Skull, and if his confession was anything to go by Skull held some attraction for the other. As far as Lal was concerned Skull could do worse than their Storm.

Reborn’s own eyes locked with the Storm’s, a silent warning in his gaze. All teasing aside he would be keeping an eye on the pair. While he agreed that it would save them all a headache if Fon could convince Skull to be with him, he would kill anyone who tried to force the issue.

Chapter Text

Skull was…excited. Holidays were about to start, and he would get a chance to spend time with his set outside of the old man’s purview. Moreover, he had just been handed Viper’s next article and it was as beautiful as it was brutal. He couldn’t stop the smirk from lighting up his face as he read it.

“Do I want to know?” Neville asked with an amused drawl and Skull turned to grin at his god-brother. A devilish smile on his face.

“Probably but Viper would charge me if I showed it to you.”

“Ah, in that case I’ll wait.” Neville stated but his eyes sparkled in amusement and interest.

“You ready to go Skull?” Fon’s voice called and Skull looked over towards the door where his Storm waited silently. “Verde said his uncle will be at the station to get us.” A vicious smirk crossed his Storm’s face and Skull couldn’t help but to laugh.

Yesterday the old man had tried to tell him he was not able to leave. It had not gone well for the headmaster. Poor senile old man. Thinking he was lord of the castle. The idiot would never learn. Skull knew the rules inside and out. There was nothing that the fool could do to stop him from leaving. Besides, he had plans for Hermione. He was in no way done with his revenge. Seeing Reborn and Viper make her worst fears come to light was nothing compared to the hell she had dared to subjugate him to.

Traitors deserved nothing but the worst punishment. It was something the Mafia had drilled into his head and the know-it-all was just that. A traitor. The red-haired fuckers were on his radar as well, but too much happening at one time could draw unwanted attentions and while the Wizarding World may be too stupid to look beyond the surface, he wasn’t leaving it up to chance.

Besides, he had time to play with them.

“Skull?” Fon called and he smiled as he grabbed his bag.

“I’m coming Sempai!” He stated and got a dark chuckle from the man as if he could read Skull’s mind, and apart of Skull knew the other was aware of his thoughts. They had known each other for too many years for him to be unaware of what he had planned.

“Skull! Kora!” Colonnello called out to him and whisked him up and over his shoulder like a sack of potatoes, causing his bag to nearly fall, only Fon had seemed aware of what was going to happen and had caught it before it could land on the floor. “Tell Enma bye!” His male Rain ordered as he turned around and Skull lifted his head to see the Earth leaning against Dean as the two men laughed in amusement.

“Bye!” He chirped and the two waved as Colonnello left the common room and headed down to the train. He wasn’t put down until they were in a compartment, and even then, he was plunked down onto Verde’s lap. He could feel the soft laughter rumbling in the man’s chest.

“I could have walked.” Skull pouted as he looked at Colonnello who blinked at him for a moment.

“Lackey, you cause chaos everywhere you go. The old fucker is looking for a reason to make you stay, letting you walk would have been a disaster.”

“Mean.” Skull scoffed at him but the smile that played on his lips stated clearly, he really didn’t mind.

“What has you in such a good mood?” Reborn’s voice drawled as the Sun stepped into the compartment and slid the door closed. He could feel the Sun and Storm using there magic to protect the room from unwanted guests before letting there Flames out to curl around those present.

Skull closed his eyes in bliss as the others followed suit. While he had felt their individual Flames, there was nothing like basking in the Flames of a full set. He let his own vast Flames out to dance around the room.

“I’ve missed this.” Skull whispered into the air as the train lurched, starting it’s track to England.

“That’s not an answer.” Reborn stated with amusement but he could hear the Sun’s contentment.

“I… Several things. First, I’m excited to formally meet Verde’s family. They mean the world to him.” He stated and Verde’s arms tightened around him as the male buried his head into Skull’s hair. “Then there’s the fact that we get to deal with Snake-face. I can’t wait to be done with him. There’s also the fact that I can finish getting revenge on Hermione, outside of the old man’s sight. What exactly is there not to be happy about?” He asked with a smile.

“Do we have an actual plan to deal with that bastard?” Lal asked with a chuckle and Skull looked at her and grinned.

“I dealt with him when I was seventeen. Had hardly any formal training and was set up to die like a good little lamb. Do you really think we can’t deal with him?”

“I wanted to know if were going for slow and painful, or quick and to the point.” Lal shrugged and Skull couldn’t help but to laugh.

“While I would love to draw it out and make him suffer, I have to acknowledge that the old man made him what he is. I would rather make it quick and painless and drawl out the old man’s suffering instead.”

“I love the way you think Lackey.” Reborn stated amusedly. If he was being honest with himself, he didn’t want to drawl out the Dark Lords death. There were too many variables and too much ridding on it. Right now, they had the upper hand, but if they drew out his demise, they could lose that. The old man on the other hand… well he would love to play with him and completely intended to drive the fucker to suicide.

That was, of course, if his precious little Sky didn’t do it first.

Chapter Text

Verde couldn’t help but to smile at the excitable little Cloudy-Sky in his arms. Skull was adorable when he thought he was being diabolical. He could feel the way the tension had drained from his small form when they had released the Flames they had been holding back. The way he melted like butter on warm toast into his arms.

His excitement for meeting his uncle and cousin was not feigned. There was nothing about it that rang as false or spoke of the smaller male trying to gain something from them. His excitement was truly based on the fact that Verde himself loved them.

He listened with one ear as Skull chirped happily. The way the smaller male grew more and more excited the closer they got to the Train Station. Skull reminded him of a little kid entering a toy store to see their favorite toy that had just come out.

He was highly annoyed when the Storm came over and plunked the hyper little thing from his lap. A sharp tooth smile flashed across the Storm’s lips as he gave an insincere apology. He watched a the Storm kept eye contact with him and nuzzled Skull’s neck.

“Stop teasing him.” Reborn admonished getting a clueless look from Skull that forced Verde to snort. How could the menace be so unaware of just what Fon wanted? The bastards of a Storm was not exactly being subtle about it.

“Look! Were here!” Skull cried as the train pulled to a stop and Fon swept the menace up into his arms, shouldering both his bag and Skull’s. Verde was very much looking forward to the moment they returned to the school. They had purposely left their ‘luggage’ behind and only took a bag. That the bags were expanded to hold everything they would have had in their trunks, courtesy of Reborn and Fon, well that was neither here nor there.

Truly he was hoping that idiot red haired bimbo who thought Skull belonged to her and her equally dimwitted brother would try and get into Skull’s trunk. The surprises they left behind would be a delightful sight.

“I’m suddenly feeling very worried for someone sanity.” Skull’s amused voice stated, and Verde turned his warm eyes to the small male.

“I was just wondering what idiot is going to find my experiments.” Verde stated with unholy glee is in his eyes that made Skull laugh even as Fon maneuvered the Cloudy-Sky to his back. Purposely keeping his arms free incase some idiot decided to try and steal their Sky from them.

“I can walk Sempai.” Skull stated after he stopped giggling and Fon turned a warm gaze on the smaller male.

“As Colonnello stated, you’re a walking disaster and I would rather not tempt fate. Besides I don’t mind carrying you.”

“Mean!” Skull stated but there was a joyfulness to his voice that had all of the others smiling fondly.

Skull was a contradiction. Something they all knew. He was older than his years, even before the curse, and before they had been sent back to the past. Skull had always been wiser than most could perceive. And yet he was gleefully childish when he wanted to be.

He was the most forgiving person on the planet but could hold a grudge when he desired to. He was soft and fluffy, but had a spine made of steel. He was a Cloud. A being whose very nature demanded freedom. A being who craved open spaces and solitude. The World’s Strongest Cloud. He was also a Sky. The World’s Strongest Sky. A being who tied the rest down. A being who had a need to bond with others.

A living contradiction.

Perhaps, that was what made him the best Sky for them. Skull would never try to tie them down or force them to be something they had no wish to be. He accepted them as they were, and as much as Verde had grown fond of Tsuna, and he would admit the kid was a good Sky, he could never hope to measure up to their Sky.

A pain of hurt went through his chest as he remembered Skull being dead. Nothing had been worse than that time. Skull being gone was a nightmare he would never again allow to happen. Even if he had to burn the world to its foundation. He would not allow anyone to take his Sky from him. To steal that light from those vivid green eyes. To steal the breath from his chest.

“You alright Kora?” Colonnello’s voice called with a hint of worry from next to his ear. His voice soft as if talking to a wounded animal.

“I can’t lose him again.” Verde admitted and Colonnello’s eyes widened before he nodded. His own eyes hardening.

“I’ll burn the fucking world to the ground if anyone tries to take him from us Kora.” Colonnello’s voice was soft, like velvet wrapped around an iron rod.

“In this, we are all agreed.” Viper’s own voice stated from Verde’s other side, and he turned to nod at the Mist.

“Look! It’s him! It’s you! Skull cried once they had left the train and Verde smirked as he saw his uncle, cousin, and that small little bundle in her arms.

Chapter Text

Gregory Allegro was not at all sure of what to make of Harry Potter, excuse me, Skull De Mort. The boy…kid…teen…man? Was nothing like he would expect. He was an excitable puppy. Nothing at all like he would suspect a friend of his nephew to be.

If he was being honest, he had expected the…man, to be more like his nephew. Studious, serious, taciturn. An individual who would enjoy learning about the world at large. The single meeting he had attended with the man had spoken of an individual who did not suffer fools lightly.

Somehow it was the exact opposite of the man who was currently cuddling his grandson and making faces at the boy. His excited shrieks and babbling were endearing. He took a sip of his port as his eyes looked around the room. His nephew was in deep conversation with his daughter who looked grave as she nodded to whatever he was talking about. The man, Reborn, was sitting on the couch with his legs kicked out in front of him. His fedora was pulled low, but Gregory knew the man was not as relaxed as he was pretending to be.

The one who went by Viper, was shuffling through a number of papers, he could make out the stamp from Gringotts on the bottom corner and he could hear them muttering about wasting money.

The woman, Lal Mirch, or Lal as she said to call her was currently taking apart a gun and cleaning it. The large blond male was beside her with a pout on his face. The Chinese male, Fon, was sitting on the floor, meditating. Yet somehow or another he was almost positive that all of them were watching the Potter heir.

“Skull.” He heard his nephew call and the little excitable male peered over but didn’t move from where he was currently playing with Nathanial. “It’s getting close to dinner time. Don’t you think you should hand the kid over to Mira?”

“I don’t want to! I’m going to be his tutor!” Skull called back and Gregory had to sit back as he watched his nephew give a sigh and walked over. Green eyes peered up into the towering males face with a look of pure innocence that he truly wondered how his nephew got along with someone like this. His nephew had always found people to be hard to understand, but adults who wore rose tented glasses and were still innocent like this? They had always gotten nothing but derision from his nephew.

“You can’t keep the baby Lackey!” Reborn called out sounding for all the world like he was amused. A finger flicked the brim of his hat up and a smirk curled his lips.

“Please don’t tell me this is going to be another Kyoya thing?” The blond, Colonnello whined get a dark laugh from Fon.

“I don’t see what the problem is.” Fon stated after a moment and the others groaned as they sent the male a death glare.

“You are aware that the Lackey gave him his first Tonfas and taught him to use them to beat the crap out of anyone who wouldn’t listen?” A delighted hum left the male’s lips as his eyes peered at the male still sitting with Nathanial. Gregory was not at all surprised when his beloved daughter came to sit on the arm of the chair he currently occupied.

“Kyoya loved my gift!” Skull called with a playful scowl.

“You’re the one responsible for the fact that the kid is obsessed with fighting and calls everyone herbivore.” Verde deadpanned and Gregory had to blink for a moment as the words processed.

“Like I said, he loved my gift.” Skull stated with an imperious smirk that had the child like persona falling away. “Besides he’s adorably blood thirsty. Just like the rest of the... a…er… jerks I know.”

“Like I said, I don’t see the problem.” Fon stated with a serene look on his face.

“See, Fon knows I give the best presents! There’s nothing wrong with the way Kyoya turned out! You’re all just jealous because I am his favorite!”

“Lackey.” Reborn called out as Skull pulled the small baby close to himself and hugged him while looking at the fedora wearing hitman with big eyes filled with tears. Gregory had no idea what in Merlin’s name was going on, but this…. This was hilarious. He had a feeling he was going to regret every moment of not stepping in at a later date, but for the moment… this kid had the others by the balls, and he was enjoying watching as they caved in with loud audible groans.

“Damn it!” Colonnello called out looking frustrated as he ran a hand through his hair. “You always do that!” He scowled as the others looked away from the smaller male and a wicked grin took over the smaller male’s face. The tears vanishing as quickly as they had come.

“And yet all of you fall for it all the time.” Viper stated and Gregory had to blink as his grandson was thrust into Kitara’s hands. “Do keep him away from Skull unless you want your son to turn into a blood thirsty bastard that scares everyone. It’s not exactly a bad thing, considering Kyoya was well respected and feared but he had no grasp on the proper way of acting. The next time I have to rescue him from Skull, I will charge you, or I might just allow Skull free reign on tutoring him as he sees fit.”

“Hey! I’m a good tutor! Akari and Kaito had no problem with me and Hibari spending time together!” Skull called out with a pout.

“Hibari, Akari is related to him.” Reborn stated with a snort as if that explained the woman in question as he pointed to Fon. “And Hibari, Kaito thought you could do no wrong. The man practically worshiped you. I was always half tempted to tell you to tell the man the sky was purple just to see him fight anyone who said it was blue.”

“It was fucking creepy.” Colonnello gave a mock shudder as Skull sniggered. The others shared a look for only a moment and as if a lightbulb had lit up in his head Reborn face palmed.

“You have to be fucking kidding me.” He groaned getting curious looks from the others for only a moment before Verde started banging his head on the nearest wall.

“What?” Colonnello demanded.

“You were trolling us.” Reborn groaned into his hand as his eyes looked up into the innocent expression on Skull’s face. “Don’t!  I know that fucking look Lackey!” He growled but there wasn’t any actual heat in his voice. If anything, he had a look of respect and awe on his face.

“Shit!” Lal called out with a huff but there was a large manic grin on her face. “Who was he… or is he?” She demanded looking like a kid in a candy store. It was the first real sign of emotion Gregory had seen on the woman.

“They.” Skull stated as his innocent grin morphed into one of pure deviousness. “You never thought it was odd that Kaito never went to work, or that you would leave the living room where you had just been talking to him only to find him in the kitchen?” He asked and he had a rather familiar look on his face. The same look his nephew wore when he found a particularly interesting specimen.

“Twins?” Fon asked as he blinked at Skull.

“Twins. A pair of devious pranksters that could make you weep if they put their minds to it.” Skull agreed.

“Pranksters?” Reborn asked and Gregory was sure the man was going to cry at the thought of Skull joining up with a prankster only for his next words to obliterate that thought. “And you never introduced us Lackey? I want a proper introduction.” He ordered. “Think of all the headaches I could have caused for Dino and Tsuna. All the missed opportunities.” He laminated.

“I am impressed that you managed to troll us for decades.” Verde stated as he shook his head.

“I am charging you for any chaos Reborn causes with your twins.” Viper stated with a nod as Colonnello spluttered. His eyes were wide like saucers.

“I found it diverting that none of you ever thought to question Kaito and his absolute devotion to me. Or his willingness to allow me to teach Kyoya. Although I was sure Kyoya would give the game away, but once I explained that I was pranking Fon, well you know Kyoya. He was all for it.” Skull sniggered happily and Gregory had to change to his mind.

He could see exactly what his beloved nephew saw in the Potter heir.

Chapter Text

Fon was awake far longer than he should have been. The silence of the house was… disturbing after spending months in a dorm filled with boys. His bed felt empty, cold without the warmth of a smaller body pressing against him. Who knew he would actually miss being in a dormitory? A ruthful grin slipped onto his bed as he thought of the… gifts they had left for anyone stupid enough to try and break into their belongings.

Each of them had tried to be more vicious than the others. In the end their ‘belongings’ were trapped better than even the Iron Fort or The Varia Headquarters.

He was only a little surprised when his door slid open and Reborn stood in the entry. He wore silk pajamas, not the synthetic material but actual silk. “Is there a reason you’re here?” he asked the man.

“Do you think Skull’s asleep?” Reborn asked instead of answering and a grin stole upon Fon’s lips.

“It would be rather careless of us not to check.” He stated as he stood from his bed and watched Reborn’s grin morph in a predatory smirk as they left to the room Skull was currently occupying.

The door slid open with ease, revealing a room much like the ones they had been using. White painted walls a single bed, a dresser, a desk, and a chair. In the bed they could see soft black hair peeking over the top of a large duvet.

“Lackey!” Reborn called and the duvet was pulled down as Skull sat up. His hair looked wild and untamed, as if he had been tossing and turning for some time before burrowing under the blanket.

“I can’t sleep.” Skull stated with a pout and Fon couldn’t help but to smile. He should have guessed if he was having trouble sleeping than Skull would be as well.

“I hope this bed can fit a few people. I suspect Verde and Viper will be joining us. Possibly Colonnello and Lal as well.” Reborn stated as he moved to crawl into the king bed and Fon felt no shame in taking the opposite side and pulling Skull’s smaller frame into his own.

“It’s nice when were all together.” Skull mumbled sleepily as they slowly mingled their flames with their Sky’s. His own were warm and welcoming. A vast difference from the Flames of those who tried and failed to pull them in.

“Your just greedy to bask in everyone’s Flames.” Reborn joked as he tickled Skull’s side making the smaller male give a laugh.

“I miss it. I don’t want to go back to Hogwarts. I want to go back to Italy. I want to rebuild our lives there. When this is over and Dumble’s and Tom are dead can we go home?”

“What a silly question. Of course, were going to go home Lackey.” Reborn stated as the door slid open, and Fon watched as Verde glared at him before climbing into the bed. It wasn’t long before the others followed suit. A content sigh left their lips and Fon allowed the sturdy Flames of those he was linked with to sooth him into a light doze.

*

Skull felt it the moment the man behind him fell asleep. The slow thumping of his heart against his back. The way his arm went lax instead of clutching him as if he were about to vanish. Skull didn’t even think that Fon realized how tight his hold always was.

“He asleep Kora?” Colonnello’s soft voice seemed to echo in the room and Skull gave a soft affirmative.

“Skull,” Verde called out and he turned under the strong arm of the Storm so that he could see his Lightning.

“Just so that we are clear you are not allowed to leave us again. We have not had the time to sit down and discuss it since coming back. So, I want to be clear on the subject while we have a moment. Your death is the hardest thing I have ever had to deal with. You are not to put yourself in harm's way. You are not allowed to walk into traps. You are not allowed to go anywhere without at least one of us present ever again.” He stated as he sat up. Folding his arms across his chest and scowling.

“I agree to that.” Viper grumbled with a petulant look.

“You all know I can’t stay with you twenty-four seven.” Skull laughed at their unreasonable strictures even as his heart melted at the warmth he felt from the others.

“I am not sure we can pull off this miracle more than once. The next time you die you may stay that away and it will not be long before we all follow you. Our souls are tied together stronger than any bond I have ever seen. Look at Fon, the idiot can barely let you out of his sight for a few moments. Can you imagine how he would be if he faced a lifetime without you?” Reborn grunted as he waved towards the sleeping Storm.

“Don’t be stupid Sempai.” Skull chided with a head shake. “If something happens to me you will all go on. You will do so because you have to. You will do so because this world will be a bitter and lonely place without all of you here to make people wish they were dead. You will do so because that is who you all are at your cores. Your survivors. If I die, then I die. Now go to sleep. I want to introduce you to the twins tomorrow.” Skull stated as he pressed his head against Fon’s chest.

He didn’t see the red eyes watching him.

“If you die, I will burn the world.” Fon stated and Skull nearly jumped, only for Fon’s hold to tighten around him. “Make no mistake Skull. None of us handled your death well. If you die again, the world will pay for it. It was hard enough not to bath the streets in blood the first time around. I do not think any of us have the restraint necessary for the world to survive.”

“I thought you were asleep.” Skull stated, as he looked up into the red penetrating gaze only for Fon to smile at him, but there was a darkness behind his eyes that very few got the chance to see. It was the darkness that enjoyed being the top Enforcer for the Triad’s. The killer that hid in plain sight, behind a façade of friendliness.

“Not yet. I was nearly asleep when a little troublesome Cloudy-Sky decided to move.” Fon stated with a soft laugh.

“You love me anyways.” Skull stated as he stuck out his tongue and the darkness receded slightly as a warmth entered those dark orb’s.

“More than anyone else in the world.” Fon agreed. “We should sleep. Do not think Reborn is going to let us sleep in come morning. Not with the promise of your trouble twins. I must admit to being curious on who they are under the façade they wore to fool us.”

“You're going to love them.” Skull stated happily, gad that the conversation had shifted.

Chapter Text

Gregory stood stock still. His hand rested lightly on the doorknob. He had been preparing to go in and speak with the young Potter heir, outside of his nephews hearing. He wanted to get to know the man who his beloved nephew claimed as his own.

He had not been prepared for the conversation he had overheard. A sigh left his lips even as he walked towards his own room. Going into the Potter heir’s room, he knew, would be a terrible idea while he had a bunch of territorial people with him. His nephew being one of them. Instead, he contemplated what he knew.

He knew his nephew had found, or more accurately, created a way to travel more than a few hours back in time. He had done so with the sole purpose of protecting the Potter heir.

He knew his nephew treasured the boy. He had seen love shimmering in his nephews’ eyes. Love now wasn’t that interesting. His nephew had a hard time with human emotions, just like his beloved father. The boy turned man was smart. Something that was both a blessing and a curse. It made it hard for him to understand people and for people to understand him.

How often had he stood out? First, he was a squib, not that he had cared. Nathanial Allegro, Andreas Gerhard, Verde. No matter what name his precious nephew went by it was the same person. His nephew. The only child of his beloved brother. He had not cared that the boy didn’t have magic, but society? Society cared and his nephew had born their scorn.

Then, of course, there had been the muggles. The muggles did not understand his nephew’s mind. They had called him all sorts of names and Nath…Verde had learned how to ignore them. Only him and Kitara understood how much he had burned. The fact that he had failed to fit in among the unmagical population had left him bitter.

After all of that he had activated his flames, and even among their society Verde had stood out like a sore thumb. He was brilliant, but his morals were lacking, something Gregory had never cared about. His nephew had suffered at the hands of magical’s and non-magical’s, he would turn the other way for his nephews more…. lively experiments so long as he did not go after children.

The Mafia just so happened to be swimming with people for his nephew to work upon. Gregory could and would willingly admit that he had feared Verde would be too different, that he would never settle into a bond. He had scoured every bit of information about Soul Fire he could find. Devouring the knowledge as if it were food he needed for survival. Hoping to understand this new society and hoping against all hope that his nephew would find his niche. He had despaired.

Never in his wildest dreams did he think Kitara, his beloved grandson, and himself would perish. Never did he think they would leave Verde without anyone in the world. His heart ached in his chest at how alone his nephew must have felt and his blood boiled in his veins.

Someone had wanted his nephew to rely on them. They had succeeded in removing the only people his nephew cared for from the equation. Still…

The knowledge that his nephew had not withered. The knowledge that Verde had found a Sky…. That knowledge eased the wild beast in his own chest.

That his nephew had traveled back in time to save the kid? He wasn’t even truly surprised by. A Sky was not just a home. A true Sky, he had learned, was someone who resonated with you in every way. Most people settled. They allowed the call and Flames of the Sky to overwhelm them, and lolled themselves into a belief that said Sky was perfect.

Those bonds were weak, and not worth the time it took to cultivate. It was not a bond he wanted and he would admit, at least to himself, that when he had read the letter from his nephew he had thought that was the type of bond his nephew had.

His relief when the child had faced down Albus Dumbledore himself for his nephew was a very real thing. This was not the type of bond that was sung and praised in the Mafia and by those who lived in the Soul Flame society.

No.

This was the type of bond that was whispered about. The type that people liked to romanticize. The one everyone wanted but were unwilling to wait for.

Even watching his nephew and the Sky that very afternoon had been eye opening for him. At first, he been unsure what to think about the Potter heir lying to his nephew for what seemed like years, but the look on all of the Flame wielders faces had told him that they would not take any criticism well.

They had all enjoyed the fact that the boy had been so clever as to pull the wool over their eyes. He had to pause and think for a moment before real understanding had taken hold.

Verde was a genius. He had no equal in any community. People were predictable. Even Kitara and himself. As much as he knew Verde didn’t hate them, he had found them trying to be around, they knew it even if he never said it. They were too predictable and while they weren’t like the others in society, they were in the way that Verde disliked.

The fact that someone he had known for decades could pull the wool over his eyes? Oh, that was something he would find that very to be pleasing.

Likewise he had passed several letters to his nephew and had learned a little about his fellow elements. They were so much like his nephew in so many ways.

Smart, deadly, outcasts. The best in their fields. That they would flock to someone who could outwit them? He could see how that would appeal to them.

And now? He had heard their utter devotion to the smaller male and in return he had heard the boy’s own faith in them. He had meant every word he had said. He truly expected the others to go on without him. He truly thought they would and could survive if he died.

Harry Potter, or Skull De Mort, Gregory decided, could very well be the very thing that his Nephew needed. If Verde was to be believed than the Potter heir was kind and caring, but he had the ability to remain unpredictable and the wit to keep those he cared for from becoming board. The strength to not turn his back on them, and the understanding it would take to accept those within his sphere without trying to change them.

A small smile slid onto the old man’s face as he closed hie eyes. Should something happen to him, he knew his nephew would not be alone.

Chapter Text

Skull was giddy with excitement. A smile seemed to split his face in two, much to the pleasure of his bond-mates. He had longed for this day. They day he got to properly introduce his Family to…. Well okay… more of his family. That is not to say that he had not enjoyed Fred and Georges prank on the others. He did…or had…. Still. He had dreamt of the chaos his assholes could all create together. A happy sigh left his lips as Fon wound an arm around his waist, pulling his much smaller form into the Storm’s lap.

Verde glared at the Storm who turned his gaze to his own and smiled. How people mistook Fon as someone who was nice still boggled his mind, and he was a genius. It just went to show that most people were idiots. Fon was the second biggest asshole he knew. “Skull!” He called out towards his menace who was practically vibrating with excitement. “You can come sit with me. It would leave Fon to properly meet the man who married his sister.” He coaxed and a smirk slid across his face as the Storm gave him a dark look.

“That is very considerate of you, but I don’t mind Skull sitting with me. Besides, we all know how much you enjoy your space.” Fon stated, his voice held a coldness that promised pain should Skull actually move from his spot on his lap. A dark chuckle left the amused Sun’s lips from where he stood in the doorway, a steaming cup of espresso in his hands.

“Lackey!” He called out and smirked as Skull turned to look at him. “What time are you’re twins coming to play?” He asked and Skull’s smile got wider.

“They said they would be here this morning, but they didn’t give an exact time!” He chirped happily, nearly bouncing in his excitement. Reborn’s eyes narrowed, maybe Verde was right, and they should make his Lackey move. He opened his mouth just as a loud crack sounded. He had his gun up and aimed only to pause at the sight of two tall lanky red heads.

If he didn’t know any better, he would think one of them was an exact copy or hologram of the other. Never had he seen a set of twins who were actually identical down to the freckle. Oh, he knew their faces, even if the hair color wasn’t the same he knew exactly who he was looking at.

“Which one of you is actually Hibari, Kaito?” Reborn asked the identical red heads.

“I am,” they said together as if they had practiced it and devious smiles seemed to spread across both of their faces. Reborn narrowed his eyes for a brief moment and wondered if Skull would scold him if he shot one of them. A soft snickering from his adorable Cloudy-Sky had him turning towards his menace who wiggled out of Fon’s hold and practically flew into the arms of the two red heads.

“Reborn, Fon, Viper, Verde, Lal, Colonnello, and our esteemed hosts allow me to introduce you properly to the devious Prankster twins that are practically family. Fred and George Weasley. Or you can call them Hibari, Kaito and Hibari, Chiko.” He proudly introduced the two who bowed with large mischievous grins on their faces.

“Weasley?” Viper nearly snarled the word out as the others tensed.

“Ah! I see you’ve had a run in with our annoying little brother and sister!” The twins called out together. “I do hope little Skully played marry hell with them!”

“So, you are related to those ill-mannered toads.” Colonnello called out with narrowed eyes.

“Were the fourth and fifth children, Ron is number six and the youngest male with Gin-Gin being number seven and the only female. Not that we count them as family. The only two we claim are Bill and Charlie. The rest can all rot for what they did to our little brother.” The one introduced as Chiko called out while ruffling Skull’s dark hair.

“So, if we decided to torment them?” Reborn asked, interested on what the two would say.

“We don’t have any useful information for you. It’s not like Ronnie is terrified of spiders.” They uttered with dark smiles twisting their lips. “Or like little Gin-Gin is a grasping money whore who has a journal under her bed with the password being Lady Ginny Potter that may or may not have incriminating entries that could see her arrested for attempted line-theft and Headmaster Dumble’s named as an accessory.”

“Oh, and let’s not forget the notes that are most definitely not locked up in our beloved mother’s dresser, top drawer that most definitely don’t come from the sainted Lord of the Light and definitely do not say that he is paying them out of Harry’s accounts. There is also no such ledger in the headmaster’s office in the bottom drawer that illegally makes him proxy to the Potter seats. Of course, we have absolutely no knowledge about any of that and can’t sneak you into the school via a secret passageway that the Headmaster has no idea exists. Nor can we sneak you into our childhood home while our dear mother is away so you can still those papers that don’t exist.”

Reborn and Viper’s eyes were gleaming with their flames as they looked towards the twins who looked far to innocent for the information, they had just slipped them.

“What a coincidence. I don’t know anyone who wants to ruin the dear headmaster and would have no need for said documents that don’t exist. Why don’t we go to the kitchen, and you cannot tell me about them, hum?” Reborn hummed.

“Mate, I’m a married man, but my brother over here swings for the same team, if you catch my drift and I know the perfect date. A bit of revenge and chaos warms a man’s heart like nothing else.” Fred, or rather Hibari Kaito stated as he snagged Skull away from his twin and shooed him towards the awaiting hitman. “Do try to have him back by nightfall!” He called out and got snickers from those left behind while Skull pouted.

“I wanted to get revenge.” He mumbled with his lips stuck out in an exaggerated manner.

“There, there Skully. Why don’t you play mediator between me and your lover?” He asked sweetly and Skull’s face went bright red.

“Fred!” He cried in embarrassment.

“Harrykins! You can’t deny it! Even I know he’s bloody gorgeous and has been chasing you for decades. It drove Kyoya and Akari nuts with his puppy dog look.  Something about a fake herbivore should not have such a look when looking at his uncle. Akari said if you ever managed to break the curse then you had better invite her to the wedding or their would-be hell to pay.” He paused and narrowed his eyes before turning to look at the blank face of his brother-in-law… or was it would be brother-in-law?

“Harrykins.” He stated with a sigh as he turned his eyes away from the man who would either try to kill him or thank him. He knew his little brother had been in love with the Storm for years, but Harry, no matter what name he went by, was still Harry. He didn’t see himself as anyone someone would want, and he knew how emotionally constipated the idiots Skull called family were. He always did have the habit of loving those who didn’t show their own emotions well.

“Skull De-Mort.” He tried again after a moment and Harry’s green eyes flickered up to meet his own. “If that man isn’t in love with you, I’ll give up pranks for the rest of my life. Now be a dear and help me survive this conversation and maybe convince you’re Storm to introduce me to his beautiful sister. I would love to marry her again, and I miss my son. For all that he liked his rules I miss him more than I thought possible.”

Chapter Text

Fon was both elated and rather furious. The knowledge that Skull may love him had left him feeling as if he were on air. At the same time nobody had any right to tell Skull of his own feelings. He would rather be the one to alert his menace to his affections. A small part of him wanted to kill the red-haired fool his sister had married. The other part of him thought he may be able to forgive him, seeing as Skull sported a rather lovely blush on his cheeks. It was a most becoming look.

It didn’t take all that long for Verde to drag the man into a conversation. It didn’t get passed his notice that Skull had purposely steered the other male in order to, no doubt, save him from the Storm’s wrath. Once the purple menace was satisfied that the two were occupied, he made his way back towards where Fon was sitting. The Storm smirked as he snagged his blushing Cloudy-Sky and re-sat him on his lap. If Skull didn’t want him to incinerate the fool, then it was best Skull sat with him, was it not?

“Ignore Fred, he’s an asshat.” Skull’s voice was the barest whisper.

“Come upstairs with me?” Fon asked instead of responding and he watched as a Skull agreed with the smallest nod of his head. He gave his menace a warm smile as he stood with him in his arms and ignored Colonnello calling after him as he carried the small burden up towards the room, they had all slept in. With a gentleness he only ever reserved for Skull, he placed him on the bed and took a step back.

He watched as Skull looked at his hands, that blush dipping down under the shirt he wore. Skull played with his fingers, refusing to meet his gaze and Fon couldn’t help but to smile. “Skull?” He inquired and got a soft hum from the other.

“Do you love me?” He asked as he knelt on the floor and moved to gently lift Skull’s head so that those lovely orbs could meet his own. A part of him missed the purple but it was only a small part of him. Green was a beautiful color on Skull, and he knew with a certainty that it wouldn’t be long before Skull’s hair and eyes took on the iconic look he had once been known for.

“While I would rather the idiot stayed out of my private affairs, he wasn’t wrong in thinking I love you. I can’t even tell you of a time I didn’t love you. Perhaps I fell for you when I noticed how sweet you truly were. The way you spent your time taking care of all of us even as Luce took the credit. The way you didn’t speak up and call her out. Perhaps I fell for you when we went to rescue you only to find the small little spitfire beating up a man with his own arm. Or perhaps I fell for you the first time you smiled at me. If we weren’t cursed, I would have been more than happy to try and make you mine. I was going to wait until this mess with the Magical’s was resolved and we could take you home, but it seems Akari’s irritating husband has other plans.” He sighed as those eyes widened and those pink lips parted in surprise.

“The question is not if I love you, but if you love me. I don’t care if you don’t. It just means I will have to work harder to gain your heart, but you should know that I will not stop until I own it completely. I have every intention of marrying you once you’re of age. I have waited decades for you, a little longer will not kill me.” He smiled at the smaller male. Regardless of what the others had said about him marrying Skull he knew they would kill him if he ever tried to force the menace into anything.

“I love you too, ya know.” Skull’s voice was soft, and Fon leaned closer to hear the soft words as they flowed like warm honey from those pink lips. “Fred and George know me better than anyone and they figured it out within like ten minutes of ‘meeting’ us. They teased me horribly about it, but never in earshot of anyone. They said if we ever broke the curse, they would help me tell you in a way that I could play it off as a prank if you didn’t take it well. I was afraid if you found out that you would try to let me down gently since I’m your Sky and it would make everything awkward.”

“Then perhaps I won’t kill him.” Fon stated, only half jesting. “Once this mess with the Wizards is dealt with, I will be taking you home. If I remember correctly there is a little shop near the manor that you adored going to. I would enjoy it if you would agree to accompany me there.”

Skull saw steel in his Storm’s eyes as they flashed, and he knew the man well enough to know that if he decided against this Fred would end up in serious pain. His heart warmed at the notion. He knew it shouldn’t. He should be upset at the thought of Fon trying to harm his brother, but he had given up lying to himself a long time ago. He wanted to matter to the Storm. He craved being put first, not as a Sky but as a person. He wanted Fon, had wanted Fon for decades. He knew Fon would hurt Fred for the simple reason being that the idiot had placed him in a position that could have hurt him, and if he declined Fon’s offer the Storm would take it that he wasn’t ready for a date, and Fred should never have placed him in such a position.

“I would like that.” He agreed softly and felt his cheeks heat up even more. A slow chuckle left the Storm’s lips as a possessive gleam seemed to flash in the man’s dark eyes.

“As would I. Perhaps, if you would allow it, I can kiss you?” Fon inquired and Skull startled.

“I…. You want to kiss me?” He questioned sounding breathless and almost as if he could not believe his own ears and Fon chuckled at the look in his menace’s eyes. He didn’t know why the thought would surprise the smaller male.

“I want to do far more than kiss you Skull, but I won’t until your body has matured, and you agree to make me the happiest man by marrying me. A kiss, however? A kiss I would gladly take should you allow it.”

Skull seemed to nibble on his lip for a moment, a nervous gesture that had never seemed to vanish, but only came out when he was with those he trusted. “I think, I would like it if you kissed me.” Skull agreed with a serious nod and Fon leaned in. He kept the kiss chaste. A mere press of lips, but somehow it was the most sinful feeling Skull had ever enjoyed. When the Storm pulled back his eyes were glowing red, and a dark possessive look stole across his face for a brief moment.

“Thank you, Skull.” Fon whispered more than said as he stood from where he was kneeling and held out a hand. Skull couldn’t stop a small smile from crossing his own lips as he placed his own dainty hand in the larger one. Those long fingers curled around his hand as the Storm pulled him to his feet. “Perhaps we should go down before….” He broke off as the door was thrust open by a glaring Verde.

“There you are!” Verde snapped and Fon was both amused and annoyed as the man broke their private moment. For all that Verde had joked about wanting him to hurry up and marry Skull, his real feelings on the matter were very telling. The man would allow nothing less than a full courtship and would no doubt make sure Fon wasn’t trying to take advantage of Skull’s innocence. He briefly contemplated telling the man Skull had allowed him a kiss if only to watch the man fly off the handle and Skull being the sweet creature he was, would try to sooth him without understanding just why the man was upset. The only problem with that thought was the fact that he had no intention on kissing and telling. He wasn’t crass thank you. Skull had honored him with a kiss, and he would cherish that for a lifetime as he would cherish any other kisses Skull might allow him.

Chapter Text

Reborn, Viper, and Chiko went into the kitchen and out the back door with a jaunty smile. “You going to explain to us how you remember the future?” Reborn inquired as the red head turned to him with a look of pure mischief. “You don’t seem to be Flame active.”

“Were not. Flame active, I mean. Freddy and I chalked it up to Skull. He’s our baby brother. More so than even the ones we were raised with. He….” The male trailed off with a heavy sigh. “I know you’re all planning on killing Ron and Ginny. Probably have mum on your list as well. Your list probably looks like the list we made when we left the Wizarding world behind. We didn’t do it because Skull didn’t want us labeled as kin-slayers. Not that we would have been but Skull’s an odd duck like that. By the time the war was over, and we had set off to leave it all behind the only family we really had left was Skull. I mean don’t get me wrong. We love our eldest brothers Charlie and Bill, but they weren’t really around while we were growing up. Percy was a prat, and we would never get along, but he had nothing on our younger siblings. Mum, well enough said there I think, and dad would be alright if he ever grew a damn spine and acted as the head of our family instead of allowing mum to do as she pleases.” He paused and turned to look at them.

“Skull never tried to change us. Never tried to make us conform. He took everything in stride and accepted us just the way we were. I miss my nephew and sister-in-law. Don’t get me wrong. Freddy and I would happily die for them but we're determined to get Skull out of this mess as quickly as we can. He deserves a ‘happily ever after’.  If that means a few deaths, well we're not going to stop you lot from getting revenge for the most troublesome, adorable little miscreant that ever walked the earth.”

Reborn couldn’t help but to smirk. “Should we go cause some havoc?” He asked cheerfully. It was good to know someone else was on Skull’s side. He looked forward to seeing if the red head could keep up with him.

“Mischief, oh how I love thee.” Chiko called out happily getting an eyeroll from the Mist who had been ignoring the two for the most part as they got far enough away to create a Mist Portal.

“Make it interesting enough and I’ll convince Fon to re-introduce you two to Akari.” He bargained as he stepped through Vipers portal. A dark rich laugh left his lips as the red head followed behind.

*

Molly Weasley was a pure-blood from the Prewitt line. She had been raised with wealth and spoiled beyond belief by her older brothers and parents. When she had married Arthur Weasley, it had been for love. Arthur could not support her in the way she had been raised and she had accepted that. She had not expected her family to tell her that they would not support her and her new husband. If they had stopped after the first couple of children, they could have lived with the revenue generated by the apple farm, but Molly wanted a girl. A daughter who could marry well and raise the family by her lucrative marriage.

Seven children later and she had gotten her beloved daughter. She was ever so proud of her daughter. Born just after the war, and the perfect timing, for who better to marry than the newly proclaimed boy who lived? The sole heir to the Potter fortune. She worried over her eldest two children. Was proud as a peacock over her third, at least until he stopped listening to the headmaster, and despaired of her twins.

The twins were pranksters. How were they supposed to bring their family out of poverty with their silly little jokes? She scorned their dreams. Dismissed them as not going anywhere and was enraged when they opened a Joke Shop. She knew she would be the laughingstock of the Wizarding World and it made her despair.

All of this Chiko and Kaito knew.  So, if you were to ask them if they felt guilty for leading the Arcobaleno’s Sun and Mist into the home they had grown up in, they would say unequivocally no. They knew that the Mist and Sun would be taking everything they could to take down the people who had hurt their Sky, and they rejoiced.

If the years raising Kyoya had taught the two pranksters anything, it was that the way they had been raised was not the way they wished to raise one of their own. Kyoya was as unalike them as one could get. He was straight laced. He liked his rules and punished those who strayed from the rules. He was often times a quiet child, violent in nature and the brothers couldn’t have been prouder of the boy.

They did not try to force him into a mold. They did not scorn him. They loved that boy with the fierceness of a wildfire. Never would they expect him to marry to support the family. Never would they expect him to get a job he would despise for something as silly as wealth. Even knowing he was to be in the Mafia did not cause them to despair. They strove to be as unlike their mother as one could get.

So, no. They did not feel remorse or guilt for leading the Mist and Sun into the home they had grown up in. Chiko left the two in his parents’ room. Taking his time to booby trap the house. He wanted his mother to know that the children she scorned had a hand in the information she strove to keep hidden being revealed.

He wanted their father to know that he was as much at fault for Molly’s crimes as she was. He had taken the easy way out and left Molly to raise the kids as she saw fit. If he did not know what his wife and two youngest had been doing, it was because he had not wanted to know.

Chapter Text

Viper shared a look with Reborn. The folders of information they had liberated from the house was Misted away to Vipers room. They could see the Sun was impressed as he followed the well laid pranks that would activate with magic. Some of them were just shy of being deadly and others were humiliating. It looked like the man had a score to settle, and far be it for them to stop him. These loathsome leeches had hurt Skull. They deserved the torment and humiliation of what was coming.

“Impressive.” Reborn stated as he took a seat at the table. His eyes on the red head who was carefully finishing up placing a prank over the stove.

“Skull only said I couldn’t kill them. If they die from their own stupidity that isn’t my fault.” Chiko stated as he came over. A wide toothy grin on his face.

“I do believe you promised me a way into the old fuckers office?” Reborn asked with his own smirk as those lovely eyes turned towards him and a matching chaotic grin lifted the males face.

“I did, didn’t I?” Chiko asked as he batted his eyes almost innocently and Viper reached up to grab the bridge of their nose. They really didn’t want to watch these idiot’s flirt.

“Mu, Reborn you and the idiot can go on your date to the old man’s office. If you forget to get me those incriminating letters, I will rip your arms off.” They stated with a heavy sigh. “I am going home. No telling what Fon has planed for Skull.” They muttered as they created a Mist Portal to take them home.

“A date?” Reborn purred.

“The best kind of date. Chaos and pranks.” Chiko agreed with an unholy smile that had the hitman amused.

“Then we best get to it.”

*

Skull knew his face was cherry red as he sat on the couch next to Fon. The Storm had plucked his hand up and held it, completely ignoring the glowering Lightning as he questioned the amused Kaito. It was perhaps the most civil conversation Skull could ever remember the two having.

In the Future Fon had greatly despaired of his sister’s husband. Hibari Kaito was a fanatic, following Skull around like some lost puppy. He was a stoic male who never smiled and seemed to glower at the world. He had never seen the man smile at anyone. Not even his wife and son. Fred Weasley was the opposite. He chatted amiably and seemed to be in a perpetually good humor.

 “Akari and Kyoya thought our act around all of you was fun. It was nice getting Kyoya to participate in our pranks. It wasn’t often. He wasn’t fond of pranks, but…” He trailed off with a dreamy look on his face that spoke of his love for his wife and son.

“You miss them?” Fon inquired and the male turned to him with a soft look.

“Every day. I love them more than life itself. Chiko and I once offered to give up our pranks if it would make Kyoya happy. He hit us over the head and scolded us as if we were children. He didn’t want us to change who we were. That kid is the best thing I ever did.”

“I am going to have to introduce them. Yes?” He asked with a sigh as he looked towards Skull who beamed at his words.

“When the war is over, and Dumbledore and Tom are both dead I would appreciate it if you introduced my big brother to the woman he loves.” Skull stated softly and Fon scowled as he poked his Cloudy-Sky in the ribs.

“Very well.” He stated and Skull cheered joyfully, and Fon couldn’t help but to agree with his brother-in-law. Kyoya was the best thing the man ever did, and he missed his nephew. He would be happy to introduce the man to his beloved sister. Especially knowing that it would make Skull happy and give him the treasure that was Kyoya.

Chapter Text

Skull did not fall asleep that night. His mind was on the past… future? Time travel was a real bitch to deal with. Still, he had turned his mind to Voldemort. The man wasn’t nearly as big of a problem as Dumbledore. In fact, he was going to be the easiest to deal with. Which was rather irritating because Dumbledore and his marry band of flaming chickens could have dealt with him ages ago.

He knew where the bastard kept his Horcrux’s. He knew how to deal with them in a very final manner without having to die. No, Voldemort wasn’t going to be a problem. The Giglio Nero’s might be. Them and Checkerface, but he would cross that bridge once he got there. He wasn’t going to allow anyone to curse his family. They would not suffer like that again. He refused to allow it.

He turned over as his mind wondered. Bringing Dumbledore and his merry band of psychos to their knees was going rather well. Then of course there was Fon. He had never thought the man would want him. Fon was… he was everything anyone could want.

He was fierce, protective, loyal, and kind. He was also an asshat. The same hands that could hold you lovingly could also end a person within moments. He wasn’t blind to the Storm. One didn’t get the title of the ‘Top Triad Enforcer’ by being gentle. He was a killer. But that didn’t mean he could only be one or the other. He was both kind and cruel. Gentle and rough.

And Skull had never thought the other would look at him. He could remember when he had first met the others. He had been annoyed and backed into a corner. Going was the only real option he had so he had gone.

It was obvious from day one that the others were only just tolerating him. He could see the disdain in their eyes. The way they looked at him as if he were beneath them in every way. It was a familiar look he had gotten all of his life, but he wasn’t going to allow it to get him down.

Baking Viper a cake was something he had decided on a whim. As much as the others looking down on him was grating, he had to wonder. Their line of work wasn’t meant for the soft hearted. It had to be lonely and while he couldn’t and wouldn’t force his presence on them, he could show them a bit of the kindness he had always wished others to give to him. Making Viper a cake and seeing them enjoying it had been worth it.

Of course Luce taking credit for it wasn’t expected, but it did prove to him that the woman was exactly what he thought she was. He knew he could have corrected it. He could have argued that he baked it. But at the end of the day, he hadn’t done it for a ‘thank you.’ He had done it to make the prickly bastard of a Mist happy.

That, he felt, had been well accomplished.

From there he set out on his self-imposed journey. He didn’t know a lot about coffee or espressos, but he was capable of learning. Finding out Reborn’s favorite had been easy enough and the man hadn’t suspected anything. The look of pleasure in the Sun’s eyes when he had seen it stocked in the cabinet had been worth the trouble he had gone through.

He tried to keep his meddling down to a minimum. He really did. Making sure there was a plate of food left outside of Verde’s labs. Or the Obstacle course was up to Lal’s standards. Or even acting grumpy as he stormed out with a plate of steaming hot food and complaining loudly that he said he wasn’t hungry and wasn’t going to eat it! He would show that Bastard. Expect it to all be gone? Fine! The animals could have it then!

Nothing too overt really. Colonnello had no reason to suspect that it was anything more than what Skull said as the Cloud stormed off. Then came the day he decided to make Fon some food. The man had been telling Reborn about missing it. He wasn’t an expert on Asian style dishes, but he wasn’t going to let that stop him. It had taken him an embarrassing amount of try’s to get the food right but watching as the Triad Enforcer ate it with soft hums of enjoyment had made him feel such pride.

Luce taking credit for it wasn’t anything unusual and Skull just let her ramble. There wasn’t any need for him to tell them he did it. All that would do was cause issues. He was just happy the Storm had appreciated the food. Something that was obvious by the empty bowl.

What he was not expecting was the tall, handsome, deadly male to step in front of him. Cutting off his route to the garage. “Dinner was delicious. I was unaware you knew how to cook it. Thank you.”

He had faltered, his heart had faltered. They weren’t supposed to know he had made it. He had fled as soon as he could, but the others had begun to watch him. He could feel their eyes. Where before he was barely tolerated it had changed. They had made him watch movies with them. The term Lackey had lost the heat and had become more of an endearment.

Somewhere along the lines they had become family. When they were cursed they didn’t break. Forty years they had spent together. Cursed into toddler forms. Forty years of love and laughter and pain and heartache. Watching the world change and grow while they were forever stuck as adults in the bodies of toddlers.

Waking up with memories of a future? It was magic at its finest. A second chance to do things. Having Fon tell him that he wanted to go on a proper date? That was something he had never thought would happen.

So, the question was… how should he end this so he and his could get the happily ever after the World had denied them before? Hogwarts had nothing for him. Not really. What could they teach him that he didn’t already know?

He tossed over again. His mind twisting with him. Dumbledore was going to be ruined. He had enough information that the man would be a pariah even if he managed to keep from prison. Ron and Ginny would suffer, and he didn’t even have to lift a finger. Ron was the laziest child he had ever met, and he was related to Dudley. With Hermione out of the school he would fail. Dumbledore would not be able to help him.

The scholarship he was in Hogwarts under would be revoked. He would lose his place in Hogwarts and with it any chance of being famous. He would fade into obscurity. And that was the boy’s greatest fear. He had always been focused on being famous without having to work for it. Being reduced to a nobody would be punishment enough for an idiot like him.

Ginny. She was a slightly bigger problem then her brother. She was moderately clever and pretty. She was also a social climber. She wanted to be ‘Mrs. Boy-Who-Lived’. She, he didn’t doubt, would dig her own grave. Or she would if one of his didn’t put her into it first. He really wasn’t sure they wouldn’t.

So that left Voldemort. Really if he thought the man would leave him alone he would let him have the Magical World. He owed them nothing. The problem was, Voldemort was an obsessive ass. He wouldn’t leave him and his family alone.

That meant he had to go because Skull wasn’t losing his family to that fucker. “Mu. Should we be concerned about what has you looking like that?” Vipers voice called from the doorway.

“I want to go home.” Skull said after a moment as the Mist came over to sit on the bed. He lifted himself up to look at them. “I want to go back to Italy to rebuild our lives. To make them better than before.”

“Then we’ll go.” Viper stated with a hint of amusement and Skull frowned as he shook his head. “The idiot and his cohorts will be persona non grata by the time we finish with them. There is no reason we can’t end them from Italy.”

“We need to get rid of Tom first.” Skull stated with a head shake. “I was going to leave it until after the school year, but…” He trailed off with a shrug of his shoulders.

“You have a plan, Skull?” Viper asked with a tilt to their head.

“How long do you think it will take us to destroy his Horcruxes?”

Viper snorted in amusement. “Knowing where they are at. We shouldn’t need more than a couple of hours. Of course, if we get to kill some of his top men while we are playing the worst game of Tressure Hunt it may take a day.”

“So, if we decided to end it say tomorrow?” Skull questioned with a hopeful look.

“Then we end it tomorrow and go back to Italy. I can ruin a person’s reputation from anywhere in the World.” They stated with a shrug and Skull smiled at them. “Get some sleep if we’re going tressure hunting in the morning. I’ll let the others know.” They stated and Skull felt his heart lift.

It was almost over.

Chapter Text

Reborn was both annoyed and amused by the ‘Treasure Hunt’ his adorable troll of a Lackey wanted to go on. Of course, they had a bit of a bet to make things interesting. Whoever killed more of Riddle’s idiots gets to tell Skull about the idea they had of making him into a Don. He knew if it was worded correctly the Lackey would happily agree to it. After all, he was the type to enjoy trolling the Mafia.

They even split into teams for the fun. Skull would go with Fon and Viper to find the trinkets and destroy them. Colonnello and Lal would go in one direction, and Verde and him in another. Skull had looked both amused and so very done when he saw the plans they had made.

“Just… be careful.” Skull ordered with an eyeroll. “If you get hurt, I will make you regret it.”

“We should be saying that to you Kora!” Colonnello laughed with a dark grin.

“Have fun Lackey.” Reborn laughed darkly as he set his eyes on Malfoy manor.

*

Much like Vipers prediction getting to the Horcrux’s was easy. The traps were nothing to worrisome, partly because Skull had dealt with these once when he had been an uneducated kid. For an adult who had actually studied magic it was child’s play.

One by one he destroyed them. Watching the twist to Fon’s lips as the screams lit the air. Finally, there were only a couple left. “We can deal with the Cup and the one in my head at Gringotts’s. From there we only have Nagini and Tom left.” Skull shrugged as he was pulled into the Storm’s arms. “It’s almost over.” He breathed and the Storm smiled down at him. “And I don’t have to break into the Bank this time around!” He said with a cheerful smile that had both Mist and Storm grinning.

Gringotts, much as Skull knew they would be, were happy to let him into the Lestrange Vaults once he told them why he was there. For a small fee they were even willing to perform the ritual he requested. One that would remove the parasitic soul from him.

It was so much different this time around. He didn’t have angry Goblins after him. He didn’t feel the shame and fear that he did last time. He only felt the hope for what was coming after it was over.

Fon had been amused when Skull turned to the goblin with a sweet look on his face. “Bellatrix broke the rules of House Black. She knowingly and willingly killed her own head of house. House of Black, as you know, does not cast out it’s daughters once they are married. They still are a part of House Black and must act for the betterment of House Black. They must also never swear loyalty to another or another house. Her vault is forfeit to the heir of house Black, but I don’t need the money. The gold in there should cover the cost of removing a parasitic soul. Shouldn’t it?”

The Goblin grinned before laughter echoed off the wall. “Her ‘Master’ will no doubt be displeased by the monetary loss.” The Goblin stated once he got himself back under control.

“Don’t be daft. Dead men can’t get angry.” Skull snorted with a wicked smile.

“Come along then human. For the amusement we might even be willing to make this painless.

“I would appreciate it.” Skull said with a laugh. “I don’t particularly enjoy pain.”

They were led to a round room with markings carved into the surfaces. “You two stand out here. Only the afflicted can enter.” The Goblin ordered and Fon narrowed his eyes as his sweet and gentle little Sky smiled at him with a look that promised it would be fine.

It took less than an hour before Skull came out of the room. His feet wobbled and Fon couldn’t help himself as he gently lifted the smaller male up into his arms. Pushing his head to rest on his chest. “Shall we go end this?” He inquired getting a nod from Skull.

*

Reborn was enjoying himself and by the mad cackles he could hear so was Verde. These idiots were so reliant on Magic that they had no way to defend themselves from Muggle weapons. It was rather sad to see.

“You killed my servants.” The hissing low voice of Skull’s tormentor called with a hint of fury and Reborn couldn’t help but to smile. “I can feel the magic in you. Why don’t you join me? I am a magnanimous master and would be willing to forgive this slight.” The snake like man said as he came into view.

Reborn opened his mouth only to stop as a familiar portal opened and out stepped Fon carrying Skull with Viper following behind. A smirk on the Mist’s lips.

“When you said you wanted a Snake, I didn’t think you wanted one that ugly.” Skull chirped as he squirmed to get down and Fon reluctantly allowed him to place his feet on the floor. Wrapping his arms around the male’s slender waste.

“Harry Potter.” Voldemort hissed, the slit’s he had for nostrils flared in fury.

“Sempai. Your snake person is talking to me.” Skull stated with a huff as he folded his arms in front of him. “I think it thinks it’s a man. Do you think I hurt its feelings?” He inquired.

“You hurt my feelings, Lackey.” Reborn snorted in amusement. “Like I would get one that disgusting." He shook his head as Lal and Colonnello came in from a side room.

“What have you done!” Voldemort snarled as he eyed the dead snake dangling in Colonnello’s hands.

“Seem’s, you had a poisonous Snake living here Kora! Best to get rid of it. I have an adorable Lackey who would take it home if we didn’t.”

Skull snorted as Voldemort raised his wand only for Skull to turn, grab one of Reborn’s guns and spin around. Shooting the monster in the head and watching as he fell to the floor dead.

“How anticlimactic for a fucker who helped ruin my childhood.” Skull said with a headshake. He looked from the dead monster to his family scattered around the room. “Can we go home now?” He inquired softly.

“About that Lackey.” Reborn grinned darkly. “We were thinking we should start our own Famiglia. It would be fun to troll the Mafia.”

Skull bit his lip as he thought about it for a moment. “It could be fun.” He agreed after a moment get happy cheers from the others and Skull couldn’t help but to laugh. His family were the weirdest hard assess he had ever met, and he would kill anyone who tried to take them from him.

He was looking forward to a bright new future. With his family beside him. He was glad they had come back to the Past because now their Present and Future were looking up.