Disclaimer: I don't own anything other than the OCs I create.
Hogwarts – Forbidden Forest
- Souta -
Well, after an interesting meeting with a local of the forest, I continued onwards, following the path opposite the giant spiderwebs, especially now that I know that there are Acromantulas back there, shivering at the thought.
The world of Harry Potter – though I can think of a few interesting things to pick up from around here, especially all the different types of Zoan fruits I could make.
After a few moments of wandering in the same direction, I hear a rustling above me. Turning, I see 8 beady eyes looking down at me from the trunk of a tree.
"Oh shit." Leaping back, I gather earth Yoki into my hands, and as it lunges towards me, I slam my palms into the ground while shouting "Earth Wall". A rumbling leaves the ground as a thick wall of earth shoots up in front of me. The spider crashes into it with some force but not enough to break the wall.
Taking another couple of steps back while gathering more Yoki into my hands, the spider starts climbing over the wall slightly stunned from hitting it. When it shows enough of its body above the top of the wall, I chant "Earth Bullet", firing an earth bullet from each hand. The right one rips off a limb, while the left punctures a hole through where its brain should be.
A loud crashing noise sounds out as the spider falls from the wall, crashing into the ground dead, or at least I think it's dead, staying back for a couple of minutes as the adrenaline from the fight catches up with me.
After a quick breather, I walk over to the spider with an earth bullet primed just in case. Luckily, I didn't need to cast it, as the spider was dead and not faking it.
It must've been from a scouting party when I was near the nest, and this one decided to follow me for a quick snack once I started moving away.
I really need to work on my aim a bit more and to start learning how to sense the surroundings using plants and trees. If I hadn't heard it when it moved to go for me, I'd be its meal right about now.
Grabbing a kiwi from my bag, I begin creating a Zoan fruit with my first corpse of a creature. "Please work." I say as I begin to create the Mystic Fruit. Not long after, the process finishes with the corpse being absorbed into the fruit, and in my hand, I'm holding a new devil fruit, a brown kiwi with the standard devil fruit swirls, and at the tip of each swirl is a red dot like the eye of the spider. It also had the kiwi fuzz feel more like spider hairs. It's safe to say I hate holding this fruit.
[Spider-Spider Fruit Model: Acromantula]
As a Zoan type of fruit, the user can switch between 3 forms: base form, animal form, and hybrid form. In base form, the user has increased base strength and senses; they can also have 8 spider legs appear from their back at will. In animal form they can become an Acromantula about the size of a carthorse and grow bigger with age, making them extremely fast and durable, also allowing the use of webs and highly toxic venom. And like all Zoan fruits, the hybrid form is the strongest; the user transforms their lower half to an Acromantula while keeping a human upper body with 8 eyes and spider-like vision. The user may also secrete venom from their spider legs or spit it from their mouth while also creating webs from their fingertips.
Fruit Type: Magical Zoan
Fruit used: Kiwi
Weakness: As spiders, Acromantulas are more vulnerable to fire, but their truest weakness is that of a Basilisk having a primal fear of the beast.
After the creation of the fruit, I received a prompt from the system.
Create your first Mystic Fruit in another world: Unlocks [Active: Ideal Fruit]
[Active: Ideal Fruit]
Allows the user to scan a person to find what fruits would be most suited for them to consume.
To be honest, I kind of expected to get an achievement for travelling to a new world for the first time, but it makes sense that it's about creating a Mystic Fruit instead and a new active for finding the ideal types of fruit for someone, and from the sounds of it, people can have multiple fruits that suit them.
Packing away the new fruit, I carry on making my way forward until I reach a clearing with a pond in the middle. It's a breathtaking sight with the full moon shining down into the water, making it seem like it's glowing, and around the edges are various creatures of the forest drinking from the water.
As I step forward into the clearing, I hold up my hands and make sure to make a slight noise to let them know I'm here so as to not startle them all; from what I remember, magical creatures are smart, so showing I mean no harm will go a long way with them.
As I step into the clearing, quite a lot of creatures' heads snap towards me; some of the braver ones just keep drinking while glancing my way. Looking around the clearing, I take note of each species here as best as I can remember: there are unicorns, mooncalves, nifflers, hippogriffs, some fairies fluttering around different types of plants (a couple even came over to prod at my face, letting out a buzzing laugh), and surprisingly, Thestrals that I could see.
I guess I understand why; I doubt it was from me killing the Acromantula, and the only other way I have seen and understood death was from accepting my own from my first life.
Walking closer, I speak out into the clearing for those that understand me. "Hello, I'm not here to harm anyone. I have quite a few fruits I can offer you as a sign that I have peaceful intentions while I'm here. I promise not to hurt any of you."
A hippogriff that I'm assuming was the leader of the pack stepped forward, stamping its front talons. Remembering the movies, I look into its eyes without blinking and bow deeply without breaking sight with it until eventually it bows back. The other creatures seemed to relax at the acceptance from the pack leader.
"Thank you, and I'm sorry I've got no meat on me, but if you're ok with it, I have some juicy apples you and your herd can eat." It nods towards me, accepting what I've offered, which has me taking my bag off and getting all the fruits I had stored in it out except the kiwi.
After pushing the apples towards the Hippogriffs, I spent a couple of minutes peeling the fruits that needed peeling and began offering them to the rest of the creatures. It took a while, but eventually even the more timid creatures decided they wanted some.
Each time one would eat out of my left hand, I'd extract and store into my right hand from each one of them, surprisingly I could extract the entire creature itself as the property, which means I could use them for creating more Zoan fruits without needing to use a creature that was alive or dead.
After I finished extracting from the last creature, I did a quick tally of what I gained.
Nifflers: 3x Niffler Spirits, 4x Magical Storage Pouches
Unicorns: 2x Unicorn Spirits, 6x Purify
Fairies: 6x Fairy Spirits, 6x Fairy Dust
Mooncalves: 4x Mooncalf Spirits, 4x Essence of the Moon
Hippogriffs: 6x Hippogriff Spirits
Thestrals: 3x Thestral Spirits, 3x Life Cloak
It was a nice bounty of extracts that I managed to round up already after just getting here. Smiling, I put them all in the bag in preparation to leave. As I did, I felt the ground vibrate a tiny bit and heard the sound of heavy footsteps. I hope that's not a forest troll. Looking at the other creatures, they just sniffed the air and went back to what they were doing.
Preparing to run just in case, I waited to see what was coming until finally a lantern light was beaming towards my face, which had me covering my eyes from the sudden flashbang as I heard a gruff voice speaking in my direction.
"Blimey wha' are yeh doin' all the way out here, students shouldn' be out here all alone 's forbidden fer a reason, especially with 'em nasty things 'bout."
Blinking the spots from my vision, I say, "Sorry, I didn't know this was a school, let alone the forest being forbidden."
"I was looking for materials when I ended up here by accident. I was attacked by an Acromantula but managed to get away and found my way to this clearing where I rested for a bit while feeding these beautiful creatures." I say while looking around myself; some of the creatures had already wandered up to Hagrid trying to get some food out of him, which he happily obliged.
"aye beau'iful creatures the lot o' 'em, nothin' greater 'n bein' able ter be near 'em" he says with a wide grin on his face.
"come along then the headmaster will be wanting ter know tha' yeh're here seeing as your on school grounds when the ministry is looking fer a murderer tha''s on the loose." saying as he dumps piles of food in different areas for each group of creatures.
"Just to let you know, not a murderer, just lost. If you could just point me in the direction to leave the forest and the school grounds, then I'll be on my way." I say, not wanting to get involved with what's currently going on in the school.
"no can do, bes' ter go ter the headmaster firs', he'll be able ter help yeh find where yeh need ter go, he's a good man like tha' the headmaster. I can' have yeh wondering on'y fer one o' those bleeding things ter suck your soul out o' yeh, I wouldn' be able ter sleep with tha' on me conscience." he says good naturedly while praising from the hair to the boots of the headmaster as he starts walking back the way he came.
Following him, I grumble about being involved anyway; well, if I have to, then I may as well get something out of it while I'm there.
"I saw a centaur called Firenze warning about the soulless ones as well. Is the school having an issue with the creatures at the moment?" I say making conversation.
"Aye 's not tha' those things are normally around here, but the minister thought it was a good idea ter put 'em at the school with children ter search fer their escaped prisoner blumin' idiots I tell yeh, shouldn' be anywhere near children 'em things, headmaster was furious he was." He says, shaking his head with a bit of anger in his voice.
Jogging to keep up with his strides, I nodded in understanding while smiling. "I see. Thank you for letting me know and for helping me out like this; it was a shock to end up in the forest as I did."
"Nothin' ter thank me fer i'm jus doin' me duty an' i'm sure it was especially gettin' attacked, prob'ly jus thought yeh was food bein' so close ter its nest an' all." He says while patting his stomach and letting out a gruff laugh.
After a few moments of travelling in companionable silence, we eventually end up outside the woods, where I look up to an absolutely stunning castle with soft orange light coming from a lot of the castle windows and braziers. I didn't really notice it before, but the sheer magic radiating from the castle is breathtaking.
Without knowing, I let out a breath I was holding while saying, "Amazing."
"Aye it is righ', one o' the most beau'iful places i've ever seen an' i get the same feelin' each time i see it, nothin' better 'n working here, i wouldn' be here if it wasn' fer the headmaster." He says softly while smiling in the direction of the castle.
Turning towards me, he claps me on the shoulder, which felt like he was trying to nail me into the ground, as he says, "Righ' yeh wait here while I go fetch the headmistress can' have yeh wondering in the school without proper supervision now, can we?"
Nodding, I say, "Will do, and thanks again."
Looking back towards the forest, you can see just how creepy it is, the way the edge of the forest seems to just eat at the light, leaving nothing but darkness. Shaking away my thoughts, I look away until eventually Hagrid and Minerva McGonagall arrive.
As he's walking, Hagrid booms out, "Here he is, professor. This is, huh, I didn' get his name. I don' think, I mentioned mine ter 'im either." scratching his beard.
"Well, lad, I'm Rubeus Hagrid, professor o' care an' magical creatures, started this year I did." He says a huge grin beaming at the thought of his new title.
Bowing, I introduce myself. "It's a pleasure to meet you. I am Takao Souta; you may call me Souta. I was born in Japan."
In a thick but clear Scottish accent Minerva McGonagall speaks up, "Greetings, I am Minerva McGonagall, but you may address me as Professor McGonagall for the duration that you are here. Come along; we'll be having no funny business while you are within school grounds." Turning around, she makes her way back into the school.
I and Hagrid fall in behind her as we make our way through the school. As we are walking, I remember I don't actually know the time or date. Speaking up, I say, "Could I ask what the time and date are today, please? I'm a bit turned around after today's events," as I smile sheepishly.
"The date and time, Mr Takao, is November 12th at 7:05pm. The students will be eating right about now; we will be headed to the great hall to inform the headmaster about you, and he will take you to his office." She says.
Thanking her, I ended up staying silent for the rest of the journey to the great hall, just taking in the sights and feeling the magic in and around the whole school. The school felt alive, the magic in the air felt happy, and it was a nice feeling being surrounded by it like it was protecting everyone inside its walls.
After a few minutes of walking, we came up to some huge double doors, which I assume lead to the great hall. A few students come and go every now and then, staring at me as they pass while greeting the professors.
Deciding to wait outside, I step to the side until Professor McGonagall cuts that thought off and says, "Come along." Internally complaining about where my say in this was, I continue following her as the doors swing open gently for her without her touching them.
Huh, neat. I wonder if that was wandless magic or if it was the school itself that recognised her and opened the doors for her as she got close.
The loud noises of the great hall quiet down as all of us walk in. I can see each of the tables whispering and pointing, wondering who or what I was doing here, which felt awkward having that many people look at me. There were even a few girls blushing and giggling with each other. Great, I best not get my own fan club while I'm here.
Looking towards the staff table, I can see all the teachers sitting and chatting to each other until they turn to look at the 3 of us. I smile and wave, letting them know I won't be an issue.
Looking towards who we are coming to meet, I can't keep the sheer awe off my face. He wasn't just an old man at the end of his life; he was a titan of magic. The amount of magic that was radiating from within him was immense, and he wasn't even projecting any of it outwards because he had impeccable control over his magic. It felt refined, as it was honed over the years that he lived, and then there was the wand in his sleeve that existed in its own negative space, appearing to my senses like it was sucking energy like a black hole but affecting nothing at all. It was confusing and contradictory.
Not realising I had stopped and started staring, I cough into my hand, fighting off a tinge of red coming to my cheeks, and continue towards the table with the teachers. When I get there, I bow and apologise to the headmaster for staring. "My apologies for staring like that; it was just when I felt your magic, it left me in awe at what I felt."
"No worries, my boy, and to feel magic, that is truly a wonderful gift. I have heard of people having the ability to see magic but not feel it; truly you learn new things every day." He says, eyes twinkling, while stroking his majestic beard as he smiles like a grandfather would.
"Alas, I don't believe we were expecting any guests, especially with the current issues surrounding the school at this time." He says somewhat somberly but still smiling through it.
"I didn't mean to intrude, but I was searching for materials when I ended up in the forbidden forest accidentally. What I was using the materials for is a somewhat delicate topic which I can explain in a more private setting, if that isn't an issue." I say, giving a sheepish smile.
"That won't be an issue at all, young man. You may stay and partake in the dishes the school provides; just take a seat at any of the tables, and once we are all finished, we shall head to my office to talk further. As you may already know, I am Albus Dumbledore, current Headmaster of this school. Now, what should I call you, my boy?" He says kindly,
With a slight bow I say, "My name is Takao Souta; you may call me Souta. I was born and raised in Japan." After that I turned around to bow again while thanking Hagrid and Professor McGonagall for helping me out; she just nodded back, while Hagrid blushed slightly and rubbed the back of his neck out of embarrassment for having all the attention of the teacher's table.
"Then pick a table, and we shall deal with other such matters later." Nodding, I turn and make my way back towards the tables as I see 2 redheads standing up waving their arms at me. Now that I've noticed them, I can't really ignore them even if I wanted to head over to Ravenclaw and not be involved with the chosen one.
Walking over to them, they start to speak. "Look, Gred."
"I know Forge."
"The mysterious stranger has graced us with his presence," they say together.
"Knock it off, you two; he'll end up leaving for another table the more you two end up talking. Sorry about them; I'm Angelina Johnson. I like your hair; where did you get it done?" She says while pushing the twins out of the way.
"It's no issue, and as for my hair, I didn't get it done anywhere; I was born with my hair this colour." After I say this, various shouts of 'No way', 'That can't be real' and 'He's got to be lying' are shouted out in tandem.
"I mean, I'm not lying. If you have a way to prove it, I don't mind you trying." I say offer up an option for them to take.
One of the older Gryffindor girls who said she plans to become a magical hairdresser offered to prove it by using a spell that reveals natural hair colours, with an S-shaped wave of the wand and a flick at the end while calling out the spell name 'Naturalis Capillus'. A jet of blue comes from the wand and swirls through my hair until, after a couple of seconds, it fades, leaving me with my still emerald hair.
Grabbing a few strands of hair, I say, "I told you so."
"Oh my god, he wasn't lying." After she says that, exclamations of wonder are shouted about, all trying to figure out what could have happened that I had been born with green hair.
Laughing at all the wild ideas they are telling themselves, I grab some food to put on my plate. It's been a long time since I had English food; living in Japan, you don't really see it as often, and it's surprisingly less greasy than I remember. It must be the work of the house elves making it healthier for the children. They would be amazing to have around the house and store, though trying to get them back will be an issue.
Taking a drink of water over pumpkin juice, I tried it, but it just wasn't for me. Thinking about it, I want to try Butterbeer and Firewhiskey, and if they're good enough, I'll send some to Great Red as I glance at the ring.
In the middle of drinking, I hear, "Greetings, o' great Fairy King, creator of fruits that grant boons, I am Luna Lovegood at your service, your majesty." Looking as she finished speaking, catching her curtsying towards me, I coughed out a "Wha-" before choking on the water as I processed what she said.
*Cough Cough*
What's with people bringing things up while I am drinking?
"What do you mean?" I say, eyes shifting to get out of this mess, 'I forgot about her. She is either a seer or can see magic, or maybe even both.'
"Nothing, Fairy King. Do you happen to have the fruit of the Crumple-Horned Snorkack with you?" She asks dreamily.
"No, sorry, and you can just call me Souta if it's not an issue." I replied to her.
"Oh phooey, I suppose I'll have to wait until you do. I will call you Souta if that is what you wish, Great King." She says, staring into the distance.
"Well, if I get one, then I'll come to you first. How about that?" I say, thinking about what it would be like to be a hybrid of such a creature.
"That's wonderful; Daddy will be so pleased that you have blessed us. I better go write to him to let him know the news; maybe we can even get you to speak in the Quibbler one day." She says, rushing off out of the great hall just as quickly as she appeared.
"That happened." I say in disbelief.
"That's Looney for you; she's always been that way." I hear from a few chairs down.
"Ronald! That's not nice to say," a female voice reprimands the first one.
"What? You said it on the first carriage back to school." He says with his mouth full.
"Ugh, that's disgusting, Ron. Stop speaking with your mouth full, and I didn't mean to; it just came out because I've heard it used so much it was stuck in my head, and I corrected myself straight away. You just say it anyway." She said with disgust and a bit of attitude.
"Guys, please just leave it," a third voice joins in.
As I look over, they also look my way. Ah, I should've known it was the golden trio.
Shifting seats to speak with them, as they waved me over, I shake their offered hands apart from Ron, who was dual-wielding chicken legs, and say, "Hi, I'm Souta."
"Ron"
"Harry"
"Hermione"
"Ronald, what did I just say? Not in front of guests." She says with exasperation.
"No, it's ok, don't mind me. I take it people don't like Luna around here?"
"I wouldn't say they dislike her, just that she can be a bit weird and people don't really take to that." Hermione replies.
"Aren't wizards I don't know; meant to be a bit weird anyway. Your headmaster has some amazing robes, but I probably wouldn't ever wear them." I say to the 3 of them.
"People probably think the headmaster's lost the plot due to old age; you should hear what he says after speeches – it makes no sense at all." Ron says loudly.
"Ron!" After a stern reprimand, Hermione changed the topic. "So, what's it like at a magical school in Japan?"
"Hmm, how to say, well, the truth is I never went to a magical school." I say as I shrug.
"What! But everyone goes to a magical school at some point." 'Hermione says, surprised, like she's just heard something scandalous.
"While that might be true, I didn't know magic was real until a week ago, and for the past 17 years before then, my magic was sealed." I say not too bothered about it.
"WHAT!" All 3 yell loudly, getting a few glances from the other students.
"Who would do such a thing?" She said, shocked.
"It was my dad; he wanted me to not worry about anything magical until I was 18, so I could have a normal childhood and then learn more about it afterwards if I wanted to be involved. I wasn't really bothered by it, to be honest." I say, waving off their concerns.
"Oh, ok then, if you say so, what did you decide on learning then? Seeing as you're in a magical school now, there must be a reason for being here." Harry says.
"Well, my current goal is to make all kinds of different fruits that I can trade with people." I say not really, telling them what I can do.
"What, like herbology involving magical fruits of some kind?" Ron says his eyes light up at the idea of new types of food.
"In a way you could say that; maybe one day I can make a chicken fruit." I say, smirking.
"Wicked!" He sounded excited about the idea of trying them.
After a slight lull in the conversation, we hear the headmaster announce to the students that dinner is over and that they are free to do as they like until curfew.
Saying goodbye to the trio, I look towards the headmaster, who nods at me, so I get up and make my way back to the teacher's table.
Right then, let's see what we can trade for.
I hope Hagrid's speech is alright to read let me know what you think, also I probably won't be in the harry potter world for long but it is definitely a place I will return to, there is so much to explore in the world and Ideas for fruits and items he can pick up for his store.