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Haruchiyo Sanzu, if that even is his real name- well, it is, because he's legally changed his surname despite coming from a sacred noble family- anyway, he's a typical Gryffindor.
Right?
He plays quidditch like it's a life or death match, never pays attention in Potions as he slacks off, because that's a class taught by the Slytherin Head of House, but also the secret fact privy to much gossip- Professor Akashi is actually his older brother. And there's some bad blood between them. Nothing anyone can make guesses about besides creating baseless assumptions.
But the Akashis are a neutrally gray family when it comes to politics, magic is just magic to them, so they don't really care about the whole dark vs the light side unless there's a war and they have no choice put to choose a side. They almost always choose the light side though.
And Akashis are really tied in with the Sanos, a notorious Light side noble family even though some of their heirs had the terrifying makings of a dark lord.
Mikey Sano, we're all looking at you.
This is important because the boy had been in his second year of Hogwarts when he'd cut up Haruchiyo Sanzu's face with a dark spell that no twelve year old should've known even if noble pureblood families had earlier education to be more savvy in spells. It doesn't change the fact that Haruchiyo's face now has diamond shapes scars on either side of his mouth and nothing was able to get rid of them. No magical potion, healing ointment or spell.
The boy has scars now. Other than crying from severe pain when he got them, he doesn't seem all that fazed by them anymore and people have learned not to stare after a while. He even still hangs around Mikey Sano like a loyal dog.
So yeah, typical Gryffindor despite what anyone might think, because he's still friends with the person who harmed his face with no grudges or apparent trauma.
While Hufflepuffs were loyal, Gryffindors were just so stupid when it comes to friendships, and they're so insane about their pride and honor.
And Sanzu's a pretty boy jock, with blond hair and blue eyes, always scowling at anyone who wasn't his friend.
On the other hand, have you heard about Takemichi Hanagaki?
There isn't a single person at Hogwarts who doesn't know him. He has the fluffiest black hair anyone has ever seen, what type of hair products does he even use? Oh, but it's so soft.
Anyway, he's a Hufflepuff. 'Nuff said really. He doesn't do anything unexpected well- whenever he gets angry, oh Merlin, is he frightening. He's so intense, but also so glorious to look at.
And he's always a friend of a friend because that boy is popular and somehow has the time for the large amount of people around him.
Anyway you have two popular figures- an arrogant jock and everyone's boyfriend.
Now it wouldn't be surprising if they knew each other or if their social circles overlap, Hufflepuffs may have been made fun of a lot but they were easily likeable, and Gryffindors only visibly disliked the Slytherins, so they were about warm and friendly to everyone else.
If they weren't bullying people that is.
Because Gryffindors do have the worst bullies too.
And Haruchiyo Sanzu is bullying Takemichi Hanagaki for whatever reason.
Exhibit 1: (prior incidents not accounted for due to the lack of trustworthy witnesses)
In the hallway leading to the DADA class.
"Watch it, kitten," Sanzu growls like he's some rabid dog and he manhandles Takemichi like he's nothing but a ragdoll for him to do whatever he likes as he hoists up him by the waist and moves him over to a moving staircase.
That's dangerous!
Takemichi could've fallen if Sanzu just dropped him.
But Takemichi is unfazed because he's so oblivious to the horrors of the world it seems, and he even chirps, "Thanks, Haru." Then smiles sweetly at the boy who almost killed him before he turns to take the stairs up.
Apparently it leads to his Astronomy class but he'd gotten a bit late.
But everyone left in the hallway stares at Sanzu, properly horrified. Except for his friends who all laugh and nudge him as his face turns red.
Gryffindors are insane. They don't care about the consequences of their actions at all, they just laugh and joke about it. Like honestly!
"Kitten," one of the Kawata Twins snickers, it's the evil one who likes to prank everyone yet doesn't understand that pranks are supposed to be fun. Not traumatic experiences.
"Oh, he does look like one, doesn't he?" Keisuke Baji, the most fearsome Gryffindors crows, and honestly it seems like it's not just Sanzu but also his entire friend group who are bullying Takemichi as they make fun of him behind his back.
"Shut up," Sanzu says, but he sounds embarrassed.
But everyone knows by the end of the day that Sanzu Haruchiyo calls Takemichi Hanagaki kitten.
And Takemichi is way to kind to allow it as he calls the Gryffindor so familiarly by Haru.
Exhibit 2: (source: Senju Akashi, pretty reliable. Gosh she's so cute too, anyway-)
Qudditch field, during the Gryffindors team practice on a Saturday evening.
Takemichi might not be on his House's quidditch team but his flying is still rather superb. He takes to the sky so naturally that it's almost envious. But he doesn't want to play on the team because he doesn't know the rules of quidditch and even though his housemates have tried to teach him, he'd just forgot.
During tryouts Takemichi had pretty much knocked his own teammates out that some even ended up in the infirmary because he'd panicked about what to do and therefore despite his spectacular flying skills, no one is trying to convince him anymore to join the team.
Which is why it's very strange that Sanzu is offering to give him lessons on flight on the field during a lull in the practice that the Gryffindors have so they sit out on the bench while Takemichi had arrived a little later after that to pass give Sanzu his quidditch robe. Because he's a good samaritan and must've found it lying about somewhere so he decided to track down the Gryffindor to return it.
Sanzu's friends all make a ruckus about this as they hoot and slap their friend's back.
Then Sanzu had made that cocky offer as he walked onto the field and twirled his broomstick, "Wanna fly around for a while so I can give you some pointers?"
As if Takemichi doesn't already know how to handle a broomstick. But the Gryffindor has Takemichi sitting in front of him on the broom the next moment while he sits behind him, and its similar to riding a Muggle motorbike that way.
And their captain, Mikey Sano, doesn't seem to have anything against it as he practially takes a nap on Ken Ryuguji.
But it's very suspicious because Sanzu is grinning and that's not good. He only ever look that gleeful when he's up to something.
And his arms are securely wrapped around Takemichi's waist as the Hufflepuff kicks them off the ground so they're in the air.
No one knows what they're talking about from this distance, but Sanzu's got his mouth so close to Takemichi's ear as he whisper things and Takemichi's eyes are shiny. From tears? His cheeks are red too.
Sanzu is teasing him, no doubt, probably about his flying technique since Takemichi starts to look ashamed.
But then Takemichi starts piloting the broomstick with a pout on his face and picks up speed as if to show off but Sanzu just laughs loud enough to be heard over the wind.
And Takemichi is smiling too by the end. After ten minutes they drop back to the ground and Takemichi looks flushed and Sanzu is still grinning.
"Well, I think you're in need of more practice," Sanzu says arching a brow as his friends start laughing.
Takemichi merely pouts and shoves the broomstick against the other boy's chest.
"I don't know," the boy says, voice unwavering, "this broomstick was a little smaller than what I'm used to, so get a bigger one next time. "
Then he covers his mouth as he stomps on out of there.
Leaving Sanzu standing there with a flabbergasted look as his face rapidly turns red.
Baji laughs the hardest, and the sound echoes throughout the field. Even Ken Ryuguji is smirking in amusement.
So while Sanzu is obviously bullying Takemichi, it's good to know that Takemichi is capable of handling it on his own too with perfect retaliation.
Exhibit 3: (source: Mimi the houseelf from the kitchen staff; the kitchens are meant to be a sacred place! Poor Mimi had wailed.)
The kitchen isn't exactly off limits, but it's rarely ever used after school hours, and most students probably don't even know where it's at. But the Hufflepuff common room is close by so they know.
Takemichi seems to like going to the kitchens for a late night snack, a glass of warm milk and a plate of cookies. But this time Haruchiyo Sanzu is there too, and his side is leaning against the table as he watches Takemichi with his head propped up with a hand. And Takemichi has crumbs on the corner of his mouth and even a drop of milk leaking down his chin. Something that Sanzu seems to be paying really close attention to, probably to make fun of the boy, however he surprisingly doesn't.
He actually picks up a napkin and wipes it clean for Takemichi like a fussy parent then says, "You eat like a little kid."
Oh never mind.
Takemichi just mumbles a thanks and starts chewing on another cookie. His eyes close as he makes a delighted noise and Sanzu's eyes darken as he watches, he even gulps.
(Um, the tension is probably becoming misleading here. I'm not sure if Mimi is exaggerating some parts since she seemed quite distressed about it.)
"Is it that delicious?" Sanzu asks in a hoarse voice.
"Yeah," Takemichi says after swallowing. "Want one?" Because he's so kind and willing to share even those divine cookies that make even the most selfless people greedy.
"Sure," Sanzu says then he opens his mouth. Clearly waiting to be hand fed. Takemichi giggles and places a cookie in his mouth. Sanzu bites down and chews. He makes an interesting face as he seems to consider the taste. "Hm, not as good as I was expecting."
(Mimi would like to interject that Haruchiyo Sanzu is a meanie. And I'm inclined to believe her.)
"Well, then more for me," Takemichi says quite defensively as he pushes his plate closer to him so its farther away out of the other boy's reach.
Sanzu chuckles. "You're the one who made me hungry from just watching. But maybe it's not the cookie I want to eat.
He licks his lip as he gazes hungrily at Takemichi.
(Is Haruchiyo Sanzu a cannibal? Should someone report to the Headmaster about this?!)
Uh.
Takemichi blushes. His lips tremble a little as his eyes become shiny then he clears his throat and averts his gaze.
"Y-you're always teasing," the boy says sullenly with puffed out cheeks.
"You're just so cute," Sanzu says.
UH.
"Your friends must think I'm easy to bully now," Takemichi retorts not falling for the Gryffindor's trap. Yeah, you got this Takemichi!
"On the contrary, they think you're the master and I'm the dog chasing after you for attention," Sanzu says sounding a little too pleased about that.
"You don't even have to work all that hard to get it," Takemichi says bashfully but his words have Sanzu perking up with delight as his eyes spark and lips tug upwards.
"Oh?"
"Oh," Takemichi confirms.
Then-
They eat each other's faces off.
That's what Mimi said.
But-
Really.
The only thing that makes sense is that they're probably kissing.
But why would they be kissing?!
More to be properly examined.
Because perhaps Haruchiyo Sanzu isn't bullying Takemichi Hanagaki but in fact had been flirting in a really jock like way.
Must see if there's a love potion involved just in case.
Signing off until further investigations,
Hinata Tachibana, the next Sherlock Holmes.