Chương 2: Chapter II
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"The true master does not seek to run away from Death.
He accepts that he must die, and understands that there are far, far worse things in the living world than dying."
—Albus Dumbledore, on the Master of Death
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Hadrian Black never had visited Zaban city before and it would mean Harry had to do it in Muggle way. Public transportation it is. He decided to hitch a ship at the nearest harbour he can find with Zaban city as it's may be can looks at it on the internet, surfing the pictures, but that would be boring as hell. He was on vacation, after all, it was best to milk it's experience before he got bored, again.
Tugging his small bottomless backpack with feather-light-charm, Harry greeted a few sailors as he exploring the ship.
As Harry walked to the quarterdeck -the raised deck behind the main mast- he passed a few fellow passengers whom he assumed thriving to reach the same place as he was. His eyes following two people with contras appearance and age as he resting his body against the wooden wall.
He remembered what was Death was telling him.
There is someone in every universe that had a specific aura of fate. In Harry's original universe was himself, The-Boy-Who-Lived, The Chosen One, The Boy Who Conquered and finally The Master of Deathly Hallows. All of the life or death situation he was placed into just because he was someone whom Fate takes interest to. And believe him, had a deity interested in you was a waiting disaster to come.
Just look at where he is now.
If Death wasn't interested in him so much, he would already be reunited with his family a long time ago. Not that he regrets his action in the past, only sometimes he wonders how it likes to be with his family again. Death let him met them of course, but it just different. At least he knows they are happy in there.
And speaking of his ability to see blessed ones by fate, he actually not surprised if he to find one but to find two in the same place that was what given him a feeling rather intrigued because Death clearly saying that Fate only give one person every each universe and he really did curious of why he did find two instead.
But, to his surprises, when he was observing them with subtlety, Harry actually realized that they had a different scale of aura. He did not know the scale of a real blessed one kind of aura, so he can't judge them accurately.
The younger one seems to like in his fifteen with cream-colored skin, chin-length blonde hair and he wears a blue cape-like outer garment with a mandarin collar and red hem, a white full-body training suit underneath with a pair of blue Chinese style flats.
Like the other one, the tall man with a spiked crew haircut who wore a formal dark suit with a white shirt inside plus a black tie. He had a black suitcase and a pair of tea-shade sunglasses hanging on the bridge of his nose. That man looks like in his middle thirty but Harry saw that his soul is still young, maybe in his late teens.
The two of them had a different scale of Fate's auras. The younger one had it thicker than the older one and that decided he should ask Death about that later.
As a few hours flew by, the ship finally left the last Island. Walking onwards the main deck, he looks at the clear skies, feeling the wind brushes softly with a few smells of salt. Harry resting his hands on the railings facing the sea, watching the seagulls circling, when he heard a shout.
"I'm going to become the best Hunter in the world!" a second pause, " Once I'm the best Hunter in the world, I'll definitely come back!"
'He must be the kid from that Island.' he thought because the minimal requirement's age for Hunter Exam is twelve if he's not wrong. 'Kid got guts.' because shouting that kind of words in the place full of people whom goals to become Hunter was not really appreciated, even if the others are weak as an ant. 'But that two people of course.'
Harry sneaked a glance towards the kid. He had short greenish black spiky hair and big round eyes and wears green shorty shorts, green boots and a long-sleeved green shirt with a mandarin collar. He was talking to the ship's Captain who was a man with a short and stocky build, he has a beard which extends down and around his face with an integrated mustache, while his eyebrows are similarly shaggy, his nose is permanently red, most likely attributed to his constant drinking. Harry was taken aback when he saw the aura of the kid. It was thicker than the blonde kid and that makes him more curious about this world's blessed ones.
Shaking his head, Harry walked into the cabin below because he knows what will the storm brings. Picking a corner to sit, he cast a sticking charm to his back, butt and feet as he began to read one of a book Hadrian had in his possession. And ignoring all of the chaos that transpiring in that room.
•
Harry found himself and the blessed ones standing in front of the ship's Captain.
"First, tell me your names," he said.
"I'm Gon!" the kid from the last Island raised his hand.
"I'm Kurapika." the blonde one answered, Harry, realized he had this kind of solemn demeanor and there is definitely a story there.
"It's Leorio." the suit guy following after.
"Hadrian."
Harry knows using Hadrian's name isn't right, but he doesn't want to give a stranger a way to call him by his real name and this voyage is a way to reach Zaban city so he decided he should use Hadrian name instead for this Hunter Exam fiasco.
"Why do you want to become Hunters?"
Harry eyed the Captain carefully, he thinks the man in front of him was involved with the Hunter's Association somehow, to see he was interested enough for asking them personally.
"Hey! If you're not an examiner, you can't boss us around!"
Then it clicked.
'That must be the answer.' Harry smiled inwardly at Leorio as he listening Gon's reason for taking the exam.
Looking at the Captain's eyes, he raised his eyebrow. 'Ging? It seems the Captain knows Gon's father on a personal level.' Harry thought as he accidentally slipped on the man's mind.
"Hey, kid! You're not supposed to answer his question!"
"Why I can't tell him why I'm here?"
"Not a team player, huh?" Leorio poking Gon's head with his finger, "I do not wish to reveal why I'm here."
Deciding to cut Leorio before the argument escalated further, Harry speaks, "I lost the part of my memories." a tick mark appeared inside his mind 'because Death is such an asshole.' he thought annoyed, as their attention was on him, "and someone I knew registered me in. As it seems my old-self was planning to take the exam this year I want to take it for searching the information about myself with the Hunter license." And Death half-assed involvement really did help.
"How do you lost your memories, Hadrian-san?" Gon tilted his head curiously.
"I don't know, Gon, that's why I want to find out." and he isn't lying either about that, only telling a half-truth because he really was curious about Hadrian's past.
"Two on two, huh?"
"I agree with Leorio." Leorio's head snapped at Kurapika.
Finger pointing at the blonde, "Hey! Aren't you younger than I am? Show some respect!"
"It's quite simple to avoid pesky questions by offering a plausible lie." Leorio's face was quite funny, his jaw dropped like fish and Harry had to maintain his Occlumency barrier to refrain from laughing, but when Kurapika ignoring him again Leorio became quite irritated because the blonde was kept on talking. "However, it is quite shameful to rely upon deceit. That said, if I were to tell you the truth, I would be exposing my deepest secrets. That is why I cannot provide an answer."
"Hey, you... don't ignore me!"
"In other words, you refuse to answer my question." said the Captain, "Hey, Katsuo."
"Aye, Captain."
"Tell the examination board that we have two more dropouts." the two of them looking at the Captain with a shocked expression.
"What do you mean?"
"You still haven't figured it out?" letting go of his smoke pipe, the Captain's gaze landed on Harry. "Why don't you ask him." and the blessed ones' eyes were on him in an instant.
Shrugging his shoulder, Harry speaks, "I just figured that you are connected to the exam somehow," a look of disbelieving flashed on them, "and now your statement proved my speculation."
The Captain explained the rest, that they are hired as a pre-elimination because of the huge number of applicants, thus making him an examiner of short, so should they failed to comply then it's in his right to fail them.
After a few moments, Kurapika was actually the one who starts talking about his reason to the Captain. He said he was the last survivor of the massacred Kurta Clan which happened four years ago by a band of criminals and he wished to avenge his clan by becoming a Bounty Hunter.
A band of criminals by the name of Phantom Troupe.
'Great. Just, great. A baby avenger who want to kill members of Meteor City. Why his life can't be more complicated.'
If Kurapika met the real Hadrian Black instead of him, the mere thought of harming them will make him a dead corpse already and if somehow by luck he managed to kill one, death will be his last worries.
"The Phantom Troupe is a Class-A bounty. Not even the best Hunters would think twice before helping you. You would be throwing away your life." the piercing gaze of the Captain was on Kurapika.
But he only calmly replied, "I do not fear death. I fear only that my rage will fade over time." Kurapika's eyes flashed red for a brief moment.
Shaking his head internally, Harry closes his eyes as he listening Kurapika-Leorio's banter. As amusing as the expression Leorio had - Harry knows even if he did not open his eyes - Gon actually asking the tall man reason for taking the Hunter Exam in an attempt to defuse the tension. Leorio told them it was for money but he believes there is an actual reason behind it.
Despite Gon's efforts, their banter has begun again and escalated into a fight as Leorio's patience already snapped. They walked out to the deck, but when the Captain wants to stop them, Gon interrupted that man.
"Mito-san once told me..." a glimpse of a petite, shoulder-length haired woman who sits on a chair facing a little kid appeared in his mind, 'If you want to get to know someone, you need to make an effort to learn why they're angry.' she said, "It's important for them to understand why they're mad. So we should let them settle it themselves."
"Must be a wise woman, that Mito-san." Gon smiled at him, "But it's kinda bad in this kind of weather."
"I must agree with Hadrian." Gon nodded as they looking at the waterspout further ahead of the ship.
Harry then runs out of the room with Gon on his heels following one of the crewmates named Katsu. Helping the ship is his main of concern right now. Because if the ship sunk, he was definitely done for.
Grasping the rope which connected to the mast, Harry spreading his magic to help to stabilitate the tools in an unsuspicious way. But when the manpower was failed, Katsuo dragged by the rope and flying over where Leorio and Kurapika were standing. Gon was already running after him when the other blessed ones failing to catch the scrawny man.
Fortunately, Harry summoned a rope which circling on Gon's stomach before the kid jumped out of the ship after Katsuo without hesitation. That reminded him of himself when he was still a Gryffindor Harry Potter. He smiled seeing Leorio and Kurapika's hand reached out and grabbed the younger kid.
•
"You Idiot?" Harry walked slowly to the trio as Leorio and Kurapika looming after Gon, "If we hadn't grabbed your legs, you would be shark bait by now."
"Honestly..." Kurapika folded his hands. "How reckless can you be?"
"Cut him some slack, guys." the three of them looked at him, "He would be okay."
"What!? How can you say that?" Leorio faced him irritated.
"He would be fine." Harry tugged the rope on Gon to proof a point.
"Hadrian-san is right. And even if I'm not using rope, I will be alright because you two did catch me after all."
"Well, I guess so..." replayed Leorio dumbfounded and Kurapika who looks away Harry assumed in embarrassment.
Harry smiled at the bluntness Gon had and ruffled his hair, "Good job, Gon." he was watching Katsuo thanked the kid for saving him and latter to the three of them, himself included.
One of the traits of the blessed one is the ability to pull people together.
After watching Kurapika and Leorio settled their matter, Gon turned at him. "But, I didn't remember you flung me this rope, Hadrian-san."
"Is that so?" He only smiled when Gon nodded, "Maybe you had missed it then." he answered nonchalantly.
A booming laugh caught their attention as the Captain rested his body on the door's left side he said, "I like you guys!" Grinning he continued, "I'll take responsibility for bringing you four to the port closest to the exam site."
"Really? What about your test?"
"Like I said... It's my decision to make. And all four of you pass!" a smile broke from their faces while Gon pumping his hand in triumph.
They finally arrived at the Dolle Harbour, the one Island where the city was going to be held.
Looking at the Island's map, Leorio's voice gained their attention. "Huh... That's strange."
"It definitely is." Harry nodded agreeing.
"Why?"
"Because the cedar tree was the opposite direction of Zaban City," he answered.
Leorio then showing his letter to Gon, "That's what the notice I received told me too. The Exam supposed being held somewhere in Zaban City." Leorio pointing the tree on the left side and then Zaban City on the right.
"Perhaps you misheard him?" Gon shakes his head, "I see." Kurapika frowned, it doesn't make any sense.
Coming into a decision, Harry told them, "We should take on the Captain's advice. He was an examiner and definitely fond of Gon, so he wouldn't lead him astray."
Gon nodded, "I'll go have a look then. The captain must have had a reason to suggest that."
But before Gon tried to leave Harry speaks again, "Then, this is the time we must parting ways." Their brows furrowed.
"What do you mean? the bus to Zaban is about to leave." Leorio looked at him and Gon. He doesn't understand why they acted this way.
"I'd love to travel with you guys, truly, but there is something I must do before." Harry smiled at Leorio, Kurapika, and Gon. "Let's meet again at the exam site."
"Alright then, I wish you good luck Hadrian." the blonde nodded understand, Hadrian's business was his and Kurapika was not a person who likes to pry on the other's business.
"You'd better showed up." he smiled at Leorio who tch-ed, noting that his tsundere-ness was the other way for him to show that he cared.
"Bye, Hadrian-san." Gon waved his hand, smiling.
'What a lovely kid' he thought, "Call me Harry when we met again!"
•
The pull finally ended when Harry left the trio behind. It was mostly the Fate's aura that attracts him to the other. But, for the most part, he felt that he was growing fond of that three kids. Harry really can't fault the Fate here since they are really likeable people and he knows the more he stays with them, the more he didn't want to leave.
Decided to end his musing, Harry walked to the nearest shop available. It's no use thinking about something in the future ahead at the moment. He should finish his business first before resuming his hunt for the exam site.
A tinkling bell was heard when the door opened.
"Excuse me, do you have a wooden broom on sale?"
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