Chapter Text
Isagi Yoichi, sixteen, was born to average Japanese wizards who chose to live quietly in the Muggle world. Since the age of seven, he had been attending Mahoutokoro, the hidden magic school located on the volcanic island of Minami Iwo Jima. The school was known for its small student body and its emphasis on discipline and precision. Mahoutokoro was a place that shaped capable wizards, though rarely the kind who stood out on the world stage.
Isagi had looked up to the legendary wizard Noel Noa for as long as he could remember. His magic, his incredible feats, and everything he had achieved had always inspired Isagi. He dreamed of becoming like him one day: strong, respected, and someone who could represent Japan on the world stage. He was the reason he decided to study magic, and his parents supported his dream.
But lately, that dream had begun to slip away.
A few days ago, another prodigious Mahoutokoro student, Kira Ryousuke, was scouted by representatives from Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, despite having lost a high-stakes Quidditch match against Castelobruxo, the Brazilian magic school.
The dormitory was quiet, save for the distant whisper of the sea wind brushing against the windows of Mahoutokoro. The moon hung low over Minami Iwo Jima, silver light spilling across Isagi’s desk, where an unfinished essay lay forgotten beside his cherry-wood wand. His uniform robes felt heavy on his shoulders.
He sat there, staring at his reflection in the faint glow of his lamp. A boy of sixteen, dark eyes rimmed with exhaustion, with a spark of something fierce flickering beneath the doubt. He clenched his fists.
“I'm sorry, Noa-sama. It seems like I won’t be able to be a great wizard like you.”
The words echoed softly in the still air. His gaze drifted to the broom leaning against the wall, the same one he’d flown on during that Quidditch match against Castelobruxo. The same match where Kira had shone, and he... had faded.
“I looked up to you, and I always kept studying magic. But now it looks like my dream will end while still a dream.
Representing Japan, becoming a legendary wizard… At this rate, I will never get noticed. I guess guys like Kira are the only ones who get attention. We’re both in the same year, but the difference between us is like Goku and Krillin.”
A humorless laugh escaped him. His knuckles tightened until his wand rolled off the table and hit the floor with a soft clatter.
“There’s only a few weeks left until we graduate middle division. Even if I work hard, I still might need to give up on my dream. If only, instead of passing the quaffle, I’d taken the shot myself… could I have changed my destiny?”
He bit his lip, eyes flickering toward the window. For a moment, he imagined the roar of a crowd, the weight of a championship broom in his hands. But the fantasy dissolved, leaving only the dull ache of failure.
“No. What-ifs are pointless. We lost the game. I didn’t stand out. No one noticed me.”
Outside, waves crashed faintly against the island cliffs, steady and uncaring.
During the weekend, he returned home to his parents, who greeted him with warm smiles. His mother was preparing dinner when she called out from the kitchen.
“Oh, by the way, Yocchan, a letter came for you!”
Isagi blinked. “A letter?”
“Looks like it’s from the Ministry of Magic, in Britain!” she added, handing him the envelope.
“H-huh?!” Isagi tore it open with shaky fingers.
“What’s it say?” his father asked from the living room.
Isagi read aloud:
‘Dear Yoichi Isagi,
You have been selected for transfer to Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry for the upcoming academic term. After a thorough review of your magical potential, the Ministry of Magic, along with the Hogwarts faculty, has decided to extend an invitation to two outstanding students from Mahoutokoro.
Congratulations.’
Isagi felt his heart stop.
‘Why… me?’
“Seems like it’s a wonderful thing!” his mom exclaimed.
He scanned the letter again. It seemed real. The seal, the parchment, even the signature from Headmistress Professor McGonagall were all legitimate.
‘They think I have potential... Me?’
And then the most unbelievable part: Noel Noa had recently accepted a position as a Hogwarts professor, serving as the new Head of Gryffindor House, rumored to be mentoring a select few students personally.
That was all Isagi needed to hear.
‘Noa-sama... this is my chance.’
He wasn’t sure why he got invited, but he was happy someone finally noticed him.
With his parents’ full support, Isagi accepted the invitation.
A few months later, Isagi found himself in London after travelling from Japan by himself, dragging his trunk through King’s Cross Station, completely lost. The crowd moved like a tide, and Isagi felt himself pulled along by it, a small figure adrift in a sea of strangers.
The letter had said to take the Hogwarts Express from Platform 9¾ at 11 a.m. on September 1st. But there was no such platform in sight… only 9 and 10.
As he stood there, confused and frustrated, a familiar voice called out to him.
“Huh? Aren’t you Isagi-kun?”
He turned, eyes widening.
“Kira-kun...!”
Kira smiled. “Looks like you got called here too. I’ve been thinking about that match, your Quidditch sense was impressive. I couldn’t tell if you had crazy game IQ or were just reading the match instinctively, but during that game... your passes had potential.”
Isagi blinked. “Oh... thanks!”
‘No way... Kira just praised me?!’ Isagi straightened a little, surprised at how much those simple words lifted him.
“Well, let’s go, I have no idea how they want us to find Platform 9¾, I tried calling but they wouldn’t tell me.”
“Is that so?”
“You don’t need to be so formal, you know.” Kira chuckled. “We’re the same age, from the same country. We're both starting our sixth year, even if it’s at a new school. Let’s get along, Isagi-kun.”
“Sure… “ Isagi nodded.
‘He's actually a great guy! I guess there really are talented people who are nice, too... If he's praising me... I must be pretty amazing, huh?’
Later, With help from a group of British students, the two boys passed through the magical barrier. Once inside the Hogwarts Express, they found a quiet compartment and watched the countryside blur past the windows.
“Kira-kun, what House do you think you’ll get into?” Isagi asked, fiddling with his sleeve.
“Hm… I’ve always pictured myself in Gryffindor. I want to be the kind of person who stands up for what’s right.”
“Really? Me too. I’ve always admired Noa-sama, and he was a Gryffindor, right? I hope I get sorted there too.” He hesitated, then added, “Just as long as it’s not Slytherin.”
Kira nodded. “Yeah... People say that’s where all the dark wizards came from. Even You-Know-Who.”
Isagi gave a small laugh, but it was uneasy. “I guess it’s the house for ambitious people. But it kind of has a bad vibe, doesn’t it?”
“Definitely. Everyone says it’s full of elitists. Like pure-bloods with a superiority complex.”
The conversation trailed off, both boys staring at their reflections in the glass, wondering where they would end up.
The landscape outside changes, with mountains and lakes indicating the approach of their destination. As they near the castle, Isagi’s heart begins to race, and he feels like he might finally find a place where he belongs.
After arriving at Hogwarts by boat, the first-year and transfer students were led into the Great Hall - a vast, candlelit chamber with a ceiling enchanted to look like the night sky. The Sorting Hat, old and patched, sat on a stool at the front.
Just as the Mahoutokoro rumors had said, it began to sing:
“You might belong in Gryffindor,
Where dwell the brave and bold;
In Hufflepuff, the loyal hearts,
Work true and never cold.
Or yet in wise old Ravenclaw,
With minds both sharp and bright;
Or Slytherin, where cunning folk
Seek greatness through their might.”
Students were called up in alphabetical order, mostly nervous 11-year-olds, but scattered among them were a few transfer students like Isagi and Kira.
When Kira Ryousuke was called, the hall fell silent. He approached the stool and placed the Sorting Hat on his head. The Hat spoke directly into his mind.
“Hmm... clever, ambitious… but your heart burns for justice. You could be great in Ravenclaw, or even Slytherin...”
“Please… Gryffindor…” Kira whispered aloud.
“Hmm… very well. But no. You belong... in Hufflepuff!”
Kira's face twitched for a second before he forced a smile. The Hufflepuff table broke into cheers.
Isagi’s name was called next. He stepped up, his hands cold and clammy.
As soon as the Hat touched his head-
“Oho… sharp instincts. Cunning. Adaptability. You think fast, and aim high… interesting.”
‘Please… let it be Gryffindor…’
“No, no. Gryffindor isn’t for you. You seek greatness, not glory. You belong in… Slytherin!”
Isagi froze as the word rang out across the Great Hall. The Slytherin table clapped politely, but Isagi barely heard it.
‘Slytherin...? Noa-sama... what does this mean? Tell me it’s a lie.’
As the Welcoming Feast began and Headmistress McGonagall gave her opening speech, Isagi sat in silence, unsure what to think.
He stared at the green banners swaying above the Slytherin table, their silver serpents catching the candlelight. Around him, laughter and chatter filled the hall, but his mind was somewhere else, replaying the Sorting Hat’s voice, the word it had chosen for him.
“You seek greatness, not glory.”
His pulse quickened. For the first time in years, something inside him stirred - not despair, but hunger.
Maybe this was his chance after all.
Maybe to be noticed, he’d have to walk a different path.
And somewhere in that hall, a pair of blue eyes watched him with quiet curiosity.