Sona shifted uncomfortably, struggling desperately to regain control of the situation. Her fingers clenched nervously around the hem of her skirt beneath the table, heart pounding madly. "You're misunderstanding," she protested weakly, her voice betraying the uncertainty she felt. "There's nothing like that between Harry and me."
But Rias simply grinned knowingly, reclining comfortably against her chair as she exchanged amused looks with Akeno. "So tell us," Rias continued slyly, eyes twinkling. "How far exactly have you and Harry gone? Did you kiss?"
Sona's blush intensified, feeling impossibly warm beneath their scrutinizing gazes. "Of course not," she muttered defensively, voice almost a whisper.
Rias leaned in further, lowering her voice to a sultry murmur that made Sona's cheeks flame brighter. "Did you perhaps...take it further?" She paused dramatically, eyes glittering with mischief as she whispered the last word in a hushed, seductive tone, "Did you two fuck?"
Sona's eyes widened in shock at Rias's blatant question, her breath hitching sharply. "R-Rias!" she gasped, utterly scandalized by her friend's frankness.
"Ara, Ara," Akeno teased softly, her eyes dancing in amusement as she regarded Sona's bright red cheeks. "Judging by her adorable reaction, perhaps they truly did something naughty."
"We didn't!" Sona insisted desperately, glancing nervously toward the door to ensure no one overheard their teasing. "Nothing inappropriate happened between us."
Rias chuckled softly, shaking her head gently in amusement. "Really, Sona? So innocent? Are we to believe you spent two entire weeks together without any physical affection at all?"
Sona bit her lip hesitantly, feeling her resistance crumble under their expectant stares. "Well," she admitted softly, fidgeting nervously with her fingers, "we did hold hands...a few times."
Akeno raised an eyebrow, leaning forward eagerly, her smile dangerously sweet. "And...?"
"And..." Sona hesitated again, memories of Harry's warm embrace flashing vividly in her mind. She took a deep breath, her cheeks still flushed as she whispered quietly, "We hugged a few times as well."
Akeno placed a hand over her chest dramatically, feigning shock. "My goodness! Holding hands and hugging! How incredibly lewd of you, Sona!"
Rias giggled lightly, amusement clear in her eyes as she teased further, "Truly scandalous! Who knew you were such a dirty little devil heiress, So-tan!"
"Don't call me that," Sona retorted. "And who cares about my romantic life anyway. We all know that none of us have been very successful in that department!"
"Ah," Akeno sighed wistfully, leaning her chin lightly onto her palm. Her violet eyes glanced toward the ceiling in playful longing. "I'm so jealous. Where are all the good men for us? All we seem to get here in Kuoh Academy are peeping perverts and boys who can barely hold a mature conversation."
Rias groaned softly in agreement, rolling her eyes dramatically. "Exactly! It's really not fair. Sona finds a charming, handsome gentleman, and all we have are troublemakers constantly trying to catch glimpses up our skirts."
"...Still," Rias continued thoughtfully, "it seems to me that you really have it bad for your dear nephew, Harry. I don't think I've ever seen you blush this much before."
Sona sighed heavily, shaking her head slightly in embarrassment. "Maybe you're right," she whispered softly. "I didn't realize until I came back here how much I already miss him. It's... confusing." Her smile slowly faded into a troubled expression, and she grew quiet, staring at the polished surface of the chessboard in thoughtful silence.
Rias noticed the abrupt change and immediately frowned with concern. "Sona, what's wrong?" she asked gently, her voice softening.
Sona hesitated, biting her lip anxiously as she tried to gather the courage to express the troubling thoughts she'd been having recently. Finally, after a few tense seconds, she spoke quietly.
"Actually," she began softly, her voice barely above a whisper, "I've been having some regrets lately. These past few days... I've been thinking I really messed up."
Rias exchanged a quick glance with Akeno, both of them now clearly concerned. "Messed up?" Rias echoed gently. "What do you mean?"
Sona took a deep breath, struggling to find the right words. "Well, you and Akeno, you're both really close to your peerage members. They're more than just servants to you, Rias-they're like your family. You all genuinely care about each other."
Rias smiled softly, nodding in agreement. "Of course we do! That's how it's supposed to be!"
Akeno smiled warmly as well. "We truly cherish each other. Even Koneko when she finishes all the snacks," she added with a giggle.
Sona felt a pang of sadness as she saw their genuine happiness. It only made her realize even more clearly the difference between their bonds and hers. She slowly shook her head, voice trembling faintly as she confessed her true feelings. "But it's not like that with me," she whispered quietly, almost ashamed. "Other than Tsubaki, I don't really feel close to anyone in my peerage. To be honest, I barely spend any personal time with them. It's all strictly business in the student council." She paused for a second. "Lately, I've been considering severing ties completely..."
Rias gasped softly, eyes widening in shock. Beside her, Akeno's eyes widened as well, a hand rising slowly to her mouth in disbelief. "Sona..." Rias breathed, her voice filled with sudden sorrow. "Are you sure you really want that?"
Sona nodded slowly, her gaze focused on the chessboard, not daring to meet her friends' eyes. Most low-class devils don't know this fact, but the first year after reincarnation isn't permanent. The transformation into becoming a devil-the process can still be reversed. She could technically reclaim all of her evil pieces and return her peerage members to being human again...
All of them had been acquired in this past year.
Rias stared at her in stunned silence, waiting for Sona to continue.
"I've been thinking about it seriously, especially after how Saji acted toward Harry in our home in the underworld," Sona admitted softly, her voice filled with frustration and disappointment. "He was jealous, petty, and belligerent-nothing like family. And the others... I'm realizing they're all just individuals following orders. There's no real bond between me and them either. In fact, I'm pretty sure half my peerage are more interested in spending time with Saji than me."
Akeno shook her head slowly, looking deeply saddened by Sona's words. "But, Sona, surely you can build those bonds in time...?"
Sona sighed heavily, her eyes filling with quiet resignation. "I don't know. I've tried, Akeno, I truly have. But it never feels genuine. It feels forced. The bond Rias shares with her peerage is something I simply don't have."
Rias was quiet for a moment, absorbing Sona's words. Eventually, she spoke again, carefully and gently, her voice thick with genuine concern. "Have you spoken to them about this? Perhaps they'd surprise you."
Sona shook her head slowly, pressing her fingertips anxiously together. "No, but at the end of the day it's ultimately my decision. I shouldn't spend the next 10,000 years miserable with people that don't share my interests."
Not when the process can be reversed. On top of that, Sona realized that spending time in the underworld with Harry these past two weeks had been the happiest time she'd consistently had in years. Even when Serafall had forced her to play dress-up, Sona hadn't really minded at all. Or maybe that's because they were dressing up for Harry.
Either way, Sona was starting to realize that Kuoh wasn't her "home." She knew Rias would be upset to hear that she had been thinking about packing up and leaving for the past few days as well. And by thinking-she had pretty much already come to a decision.
Saying it all out loud just made it feel more real.
— Harry —
I walked through the bustling Muggle side of King's Cross Station, excitement bubbling in my chest as I navigated between families and busy travelers. The chatter and noise of the crowd surrounded me, and I took a moment to absorb it all, smiling broadly. Today was finally here.
I was going to be attending Hogwarts.
It had been an absolutely insane month. Sometimes I still couldn't believe everything I'd discovered and learned in such a short period.
First, the magical world. My whole life had flipped upside down upon learning that magic wasn't just real, but something that existed inside of me too. My days at my Aunt's home seemed so distant now.
Good riddance to that. Although, I did miss Dudley from time to time...
And then the revelation that I wasn't even human, at least not completely. Finding out I was a devil had been shocking but thrilling.
Most importantly, I had a living mother-Serafall. Meeting her was perhaps the most surprising and wonderful thing of all. Thinking of my mother instantly brought a warm flush to my cheeks. She was incredibly affectionate, beautiful, lively, and yes-clingy.
But I adored her for it, especially after growing up starved for love.
Thinking back just a few minutes, I lifted my fingers gently to my neck and smiled sheepishly. I was sure anyone who looked closely could spot the faint purple marks dotting my skin. Before teleporting to London, Serafall had decided she needed to "send me off properly." Her goodbye had been quite memorable, involving a tight embrace, and a few lingering, passionate kisses along my neck.
Was any of that behavior normal from a human family perspective? Obviously not-but we were devils. So actually, our farewell was considered pretty tame...?
I think...?
Shaking my head lightly to clear away those thoughts, I refocused my attention on the station around me. Platform 9? awaited, hidden somewhere within this bustling, confusing maze of trains, ticket booths, and hurried Muggles.
I could've easily asked Hermione to guide me, but I'd insisted on finding it myself. I wanted to enjoy the thrill of discovering it on my own terms.
I carefully examined the station, trying to spot something out of the ordinary. All I saw were brick walls, train platforms, benches filled with waiting passengers, and various shops selling food and magazines.
How was I supposed to find a secret magical platform here?
Then I noticed something. A family ahead of me dressed a bit differently. The parents wore oddly mismatched clothing, and the teenage boy pushed a trolley laden with a heavy trunk, an owl hooting softly from its cage.
Definitely wizarding folk.
Curious, I quietly followed behind, hoping they might lead me to the hidden entrance. As I watched, the boy-teenager-approached a brick barrier between platforms nine and ten. He casually walked straight into the solid wall and vanished.
"Whoa..." I muttered softly, my eyebrows shooting up in surprise.
Smiling, I approached the same wall, heart beating faster with anticipation. Okay, Harry, you got this. Just walk through the wall. Simple.
Taking a steadying breath, I passed smoothly through. The world shimmered around me momentarily, and then my vision cleared.
I emerged onto a new platform, bustling with witches and wizards, steam billowing dramatically from a massive crimson train waiting patiently along the tracks. Hogwarts Express, the sign read clearly in polished gold lettering.
Excited voices echoed everywhere, teenage and adult students greeting old friends or saying tearful goodbyes to their families. Owls screeched softly, trunks rolled noisily, and magical energy filled the air, almost tangible.
I stood frozen for a second, overwhelmed by the sight. My new life was really beginning now!
"Harry!" a cheerful, familiar voice called from nearby.
I turned quickly, a wide smile spreading across my face as I spotted Hermione approaching quickly through the crowd. She looked beautiful, curly hair bouncing softly around her face.
"There you are," she said breathlessly, hugging me tightly. Her body pressed warmly against mine, and I couldn't help noticing the enticing fragrance of her perfume. She stepped back, her eyes flicking briefly toward my neck. "Looks like someone gave you quite the send-off..."
My cheeks warmed instantly, but I grinned shamelessly. "Yeah, mom can be a bit affectionate."
Hermione raised an amused eyebrow, lips twitching into a playful smirk. "A bit? You forget I met the woman and watched her grind on your lap the first time she ever met you!"
I chuckled, running a hand sheepishly through my straight black hair. "Maybe more than a bit..."
Hermione laughed gently, linking her arm comfortably through mine. "Well, you're here now. Ready for Hogwarts?" Before Hermione and I moved toward the Hogwarts Express, she suddenly paused, her chocolate-brown eyes twinkling mischievously as she glanced up at me. "Wait," she said softly, pulling me closer with gentle insistence. "There's something I need to do first."
"What is it?" I asked curiously, eyebrows raised slightly. The platform around us buzzed noisily with conversations and laughter, but nobody seemed to be paying attention to us yet. It was oddly peaceful standing here with her amid the chaos.
She didn't respond immediately. Instead, she leaned upward, rising slightly on her tiptoes as she brought her lips toward the unmarked side of my neck. My heart skipped a beat as I felt the softness of her lips against my skin, her breath warm and inviting. My eyes widened in surprise, but I quickly relaxed into the pleasurable sensation of her tender touch.
Hermione's mouth moved slowly, deliberately, pressing warm kisses along my neck, gradually turning them deeper, more intimate. She parted her lips slightly, and I felt her tongue tease gently against my skin. It sent a shiver down my spine, warm tingles spreading throughout my body as her kisses turned into soft, sensuous suckling.
My breathing grew quicker, my hands instinctively sliding around her waist as I pulled her closer. I was vaguely aware of the bustling station, the whistles, and the chatter, but all of that seemed far away. The only thing I could focus on now was Hermione's warm, sensual mouth leaving its mark on me.
"Mmm," she murmured softly, voice vibrating against my sensitive skin, "now everyone can see my mark, too."
I chuckled softly, cheeks heating up as a blush spread across my face. It felt surprisingly thrilling to have her openly claim me, just like Serafall had earlier. Still, I hadn't expected Hermione-usually composed and reserved-to be this openly bold in public.
She finally pulled back slowly, her lips gently breaking contact with my neck, leaving behind a pleasantly warm spot on my skin. Her eyes sparkled playfully as she gazed up at me, clearly pleased with herself. However, within seconds, the reality of what she'd done dawned upon her, and her cheeks flushed deeply. "Oh my gosh," she murmured, hands immediately rising to her own face in embarrassment. "I can't believe I just did that right here!"
