idealism | Fuda # 6

I lost my watch. Can you really find it?

[Once he's said it, he blushes lightly. It really sounds stupid when he says it out loud like that. But he's very attached to his watch.]

[She nods with a smug smile. It's not nearly as brilliant as it usually is, but at least it's a flash of normalcy for her.] Unless Luceti or the Malnosso can stop me. It's a basic Charm I had to learn in fourth year.

[She points her wand at the grass.] Accio watch! [Now, if Luceti and the Malnosso will cooperate with her, the watch should go zooming into her hand from wherever it was. She's hoping that's what will happen anyway.]

Fourth year? Oh, right. The magical school.

[They don't have to wait long before the watch speeds towards Hermione's hand, a few strands of grass still sticking to it.]

[Tsuzuki watches, obviously baffled.]

Mhm. [She nods as the watch appears from the grass and soars into her grasp. Waving her wand once, she gets the grass to drop and the watch to shine like it's new. Finally sticking her wand behind her ear, taking a leaf out of Luna's book as she does so, she holds it out for Tsuzuki.] It's a nice watch.

Thank you. [He accepts it gratefully, since he had felt vulnerable without it. Tsuzuki doesn't reply until he's put it on again, and made sure it covers his whole wrist.] I got it when I began my work, so...It reminds me of home. [His smile brightens as he turns back to Hermione.]

It hasn't been this clean in years. What was the name of the spell, again?

[Hermione smiles in return, curling her legs up under her.] It's a simple enough Cleaning Charm. Maybe I ought to start teaching household charms to the DA.

[But she demonstrates the charm on her own watch with a simple, "Scourgify!"] We have lots of little charms and spells for cleaning. Some will even pack suitcases for us.

[Tsuzuki can't keep the amused expression off of his face. He keeps thinking up scenarios where he could use those spells in his old home- like when he gets chocolate stains on the paperwork and Hisoka gets furious at him.]

Speaking of DA, when do you think you'll have another lesson? I've practiced a little, but... Well, I'd feel bad practicing more before Hisoka catches up.

[Or when Ron or Harry knocks over ink on their homework. She hesitates visibly at his question.]

I'm not certain. A lot has happened for us recently, so I haven't had a chance to work on anything. I'm hoping soon, though. The last one seemed to be well-met at least.

[He relaxes, noticing the hesitation for what it was.]

Do you want to talk about it?

[She glances at him and then shakes her head.] We just had to help a friend after he came back from the Malnosso. It's all right now; it just made us all tired.

It's okay. Hisoka makes me tired sometimes, too. I'm sure your friend really appreciates that you were there after the kidnapping.

That's part of what being friends is all about, isn't it? Putting up with each other, enjoying time together, and helping each other out when you need it. [She offers a tired smile. At least there's one person Hisoka hangs out with who has a level head. Merlin knows Malfoy doesn't count.]

Yes, exactly that. [Worry makes him smile less. There's no polite way to ask what she and Harry and the redhead must have been up to, after all. All he figures is that it must've been emotionally exhausting.] Did you get enough sleep, Hermione?

[oh if only you people knew what she's used to. She gives him a sidelong glance at that and then shakes her head.] It's difficult to sleep when you're having nightmares all the time. [Even worse when they're triggered by real life events.] We've all been supporting each other recently, so it's nice to have help from people from your own world. Not that others aren't nice, as well. [But there are things you can't share with outsiders. Not yet.]

[If only! Their conversations could become very colorful that way.] ...I know. [She wouldn't know it, but he and Hisoka would sympathize very much with that, since their nights are often interrupted by nightmares.]

It's okay, I understand. There are some things that are easier to deal with if you don't have to explain it to stranger. The friends from your world probably knows how to deal with your nightmares better, since they know what causes them.

Exactly. Some things are just easier to deal with around people who already know about it. Talking about what's going on is a good thing, of course, but some things- [She looks down at the ground and runs her hand through the grass.] -are too much to talk about.

[Tsuzuki notices how she avoids his eyes and becomes introverted. He's seen the same thing in Hisoka sometimes.] I know. And if you finally muster the courage to tell strangers, there's a chance they don't believe you. Which just makes everything worse. [With a remorseful smile, he continues, idly checking the grass on his side.] Having friends that knows how difficult it can be are worth their weight in gold.

So how often do you have nightmares, Hermione?

[She doesn't really do introverted as a whole. She just avoids subjects. Rarely, but it happens. At this, though, she looks up.] Right. Exactly. It's just easier to deal with around people who already know.

[And then she gives him a curious look, wondering why he's asking.] Not often. Harry's usually the one who has them, but I wouldn't wish them on anyone. [But when you're forced to live through one and remember really horrible times in your life, well... the tables tend to turn on their heads.]

But if you ever want to talk to a stranger, I'd be glad to.

[It takes a while for Tsuzuki's mind to connect Harry's name with his face. Glasses, at the meeting. Right. The boy that Hisoka calls "Potter!" who is Draco's boyfriend. He remembers him now.] Me neither. Those dreams can get really twisted, depending on your mind. [He gives her a subtly scrutinizing look.] What did you dream of, Hermione?

[She glances up to examine him critically for a moment before smiling.] Thank you. [There's just a little too much stuff that reaches into the "too personal" category right now.] If you need help with anything, extra research or anything, just ask me.

[If Hermione knew how much Draco was talking...] I suppose so... [She looks thoughtful, and then studies the house close by.] Mostly memories of things that have happened. Not always good, but not always bad, either. [She's not used to having people talk to her who don't know everything that's happened in her life. Harry and Ron are pretty much her only friends, especially after what happened last year with Ron and Lavender.]

[Hermione's critical look earns her an amused one in return. He's so used to Hisoka's glares that hers are mild in comparition.] Anytime. [Considering that it's the first time they've talked outside of class, Tsuzuki's surprised and relieved she was polite about the refusal. It means he can try again later, if they become friends.] That is really kind of you. I have a few questions, actually, about your world. But if you're tired, it can wait.

[She might find out before she realizes it.] Well, considering that we're not home, those memories probably hurt a little. The good ones more than the bad. [Ron and Lavender in canon, or in Luceti? Because if the latter, I missed it.]

[Oh this is nothing compared to her glares of doom. But those have been reserved for Hisoka lately. Tsuzuki might remember the DA meeting. THAT was a Hermione glare. Besides, she kind of likes him. He's so much better than Hisoka.] Oh no, I'm always happy to answer questions. [It's one of the only things that reminds her of home tbh. Questions are comforting for her.]

Sometimes... you remember things that would hurt even if you were home... Some things can't be changed no matter where you are. [Canon! XD If Lavender ever appeared in Luceti, Hermione would throw a Malfoy-fit XD]

[Oh, thooose. Tsuzuki'd hate to be the recipient of those. And he'd still like Hisoka to get along better with the nice girl with the big hair.]

[It's a good thing he has a lot of them, then. She'll be irritated by him in no time!] I was thinking about earlier, and something's been on my mind. Why do you use wands and not just commands?

You're right. Everyone remembers those things, sometimes, even if we try to pretend things are all right. The important thing is not to get caught in loops of thinking about it. [Oh phew! XD I was worried I had really not paid attention, for a sec. Seeing Lav-Lav here would heighten the drama]

[Nasty buggers, aren't they? Hermione just wants Hisoka to stop being a prick... oh wait :Ta]

A wand is made of magical components like dragon heartstring or phoenix feather or something of that nature and special kinds of wood. It acts as a focus for our natural magic. As a very young child we can use magic because we can't control it. Once we reach the age of eleven, we're enrolled in a magic school and given a wand to learn how to control the magic and harness it the way we need to use it. Eventually, it's possible to use wandless magic, where the focus of the wand isn't needed, but it's very advanced magic and only very powerful wizards can harness that.

[She nods.] Exactly. And we have our new friends here. At the very least we have each other to help us. [No worries! XD That would make the UST between Ron and Hermione explode in a shower of tears, blood, and canaries.]

[I'm just glad Hisoka's not incredibly attached to Hogwarts: a History, because getting them to share would end in violence.]

So... I'm not sure what the difference is between the children's magic and the wandless one. Is the wandless one more reliable than what children can do? And what's a unicorn?

That's a good way to look at it. [XD oh man, the canaries.]

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