^{30th April 2025
Mahoutokoro Hallways
Animagus Approval Process
Ara made the banner yippee}

The shadows were coming for him

He thought he had left that fear behind after he moved out of his cramped apartment. Living with plenty of siblings who were just waiting for their next chance to scare their eldest brother from the shadows. Weirdly enough he had been feeling a sort of presence whenever he was outside his office. It was like something was creeping up from behind him in the shadows, but when he looked - it was gone.

At first he dismissed it as his mind playing tricks on him. Or some imp or pixie infestation had started at Mahoukotoro, but there was no news about either being present in Mahoukotoro and causing havoc. It was like the shadows itself were watching him, poofing at the last second before he could identify them. Perhaps he was hallucinating? Then how would that explain the chills behind his neck?

He had tried to remember what he had done wrong. Well. What he felt he had done wrong. The student body of Mahoukotoro might have a few things to say if asked what they felt their headmaster was doing wrong. He was a stark change to their previous kind headmistress. He was strict, petty, inconsistent with what he approved and what he didn't, determined to make Mahoukotoro akin to a student-friendly version of azkaban. Or so they say. But he was nice. He thinks. Though the creeping shadow didn't think so.

He attempting to shake it off every time it came. By now it was evening, perhaps nearing 6. Most students would be having their dinner time by now. And Sako took the time to patrol. It wasn't his main duty, persay. But he trusted his own eyes the most. If there were any oppsies any one of his students was making, he liked to be on top of it all. The hallways were dark, lightly lit by floating lanterns, the sun already losing its glow and casting shadows around him. He steeled himself, before he kept walking. The clacking sound of his shoes heard, echoing lightly against the surface floor.

@Miharu Goto

❀ »»»» cat vs. rat

【 April 30, 2026 ✿ During Dinner 】

❰▬▬▬❀▬▬▬❱

Days… yes, days…

It's been days since Miharu had met their Headmaster and requested a proper audience with him concerning her future plans. It's been days since he had told her that they will talk later on. It's been days since she last saw him being less busy and seemed to always be on the run.

It's been days and her request has probably been forgotten by Kotoka Sako.

Miharu wasn't one who would bother a busy man but she sure was the type who would wait for an opportunity to remind him of what they had agreed on. Each time she catches him, he would always have something that he had forgotten to do. Sometimes having an important appointment so he couldn't get back to her yet. It happened almost throughout the past days and Miharu sure was starting to think that something was up. Was it wrong of her to request something like a permission to become an Animagus? No. It shouldn't be. Sure, she hasn't told her parents but she already had plans about that. Besides, getting permission from the Headmaster was the priority. Without it, she couldn't become one even if she managed to ask her parents for the ingredients that she needed for the whole process.

In any case, with Animagus being a hard process, becoming one should be an achievement. But Headmaster Sako doesn't seem to think so with how he seemed to be avoiding discussing that topic with her. A game of hide and seek this was turning out to be. Well, she can play that game. She was not the Quidditch Team’s Seeker for nothing. Kotoka Sako was the Golden Snitch and the whole campus of Mahoutokoro was the Quidditch Pitch.

First thing first, observation. That's what she did. Whenever she spots Sako-sensei during the past days, she would observe from afar. Get a quick glimpse of his routine, find the pattern and wait for an opportunity where she could talk to him without him being able to make any excuse. That was how she ended up wandering the halls instead of joining her peers for dinner. Her ‘target’ should be around here. She had seen him walking and all she had to do was wait for the opportunity to strike, like a cat prowling in the shadows hunting a rat. Was it wrong to associate their Headmaster with one? Maybe, maybe not. He sure was acting like one though.

When the headmaster passed by, she immediately took that chance. "Sako-sensei.” She spoke, still with the same stoic expression and tone as usual but perhaps if one listens and looks closely enough, there was a certain coldness in them.

❰▬▬▬❀▬▬▬❱

Mentions »»» @ | @
Interactions »»» @Kotoha Sako | @

English ❭❭❭ #007870 | Japanese ❭❭❭ #2a4b7a

⌞WC: 447/200⌝

Note: Permission for light godmodding of the Headmaster was given permission by the writer.

Was it just him or was ALL he could hear was his own footsteps? He nervously tugged his tie knot, loosening it slightly out of the sudden intrusive feeling creeping up on him and making it difficult to breathe well. He attempted to focus on the fact that students weren't in this hallway not because he had suddenly stepped into a new dimension where he would soon meet his doom , but because they were good students that followed rules or were busy with homework. Still, being so used around rowdy children these days had made Sako realise how... unnaturally... quiet things were.

He intended to pass his hallway, the shadow beside him still and unmoving. Just the tiniest breath escaped him -

" Sako- Sensei"

"GUAUHHHHHHHHHH"

Silence met with stillness, like a man in his thirties after succumbing to the fact he is no longer blessed with the gift of youth.

He did not recognize how long he must've stared at Miharu Goto like one of medusa's statues - frozen in permanent fear. Until he remembers that he's 30 years old and this is a 15 year old. He coughed, immediately moving back in a more respectable stance, placing his hands behind his back and turning to look at Miharu with the most unaffected expression he could muster. " And... as I demonstrated just now.. that... was... an example - of how your carelessness may effect another students mental health, Goto chan. To avoid such distress on your peers, please consider announcing your presence in a more.... gentle way".

w/c: 248

@Miharu Goto