893

Chapter Fifteen

Authors Note: Due to all the questions about how I got the title: It's from Hana Fuda. The card deck is called Hana Fuda or Flower Cards. Many different games are played with it. Including several gambling games. In the gambling game most favored by Yakuza 20 is the worst hand you can get, and the most common way is 893. The numbers are 8 = ya, 9 = ku and 3 = za. or Yakuza. I do love the obscure, I just wasn't aware that it was that obscure. *g*
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As they were leaving they heard a soft 'A-hem!'. Yusuke moved to put himself between the voice and his friends. It turned out that this was not necessary; Professor McGonagall just smirked at him and nodded. As she turned to leave they all noticed the smirk turn into a real smile.

Neville gaped at the usually stern professor, then whispered, "I swear she winked at me."

Hermione agreed. "I do think so."

Yusuke nodded. "Well, we better get going. We need to be on time for juku."

Hermione blinked, "This afternoon is free."

Yusuke scowled at her. "It is not. It is scheduled for juku, you set it yourself."

Hermione scrabbled for her schedule. "Oh, my goodness! I got my days mixed up. What is wrong with me? I'm not usually this scatter brained."

Noticing how frazzled she looked, Harry patted her shoulder. "You're tired. How late did you stay up last night?"

"Oh! Only til one. You stay that late." Hermione grumbled, rubbing at her red eyes.

"No. I stay up later than that. But ... that's because I only need between four and five hours of sleep a night. It's my constitution, not my intention. Believe me, there are times I'd rather be sleeping." He grimaced in disgust. "Especially when Ron farts in his sleep."

Neville returned his expression. "Yes. I swear something crawled up his ass and died."

Hermione made a gagging noise. "You two. You're awful." Then she giggled. "But I do feel much better."

Harry pulled her along. "Come on. We're going to do something fun."

But it was not to be. As they were headed outside, they came across a group of Ravenclaw sixth years bullying a Slytherin first year. Yusuke snarled quietly, "Grab the kid."

Neville waited, easing into position so he could get hold of the girl. Hermione hissed, "We should run and get a professor."

Yusuke shrugged one shoulder, cracking his neck at the same time. "Yes, why don't you do that." Hermione scurried off, Yusuke called after her. "Flitwick!"

Then he turned and gazed at the Ravenclaws. "What are you thinking? This little girl hasn't done anything to you."

"She's a Slytherin. She deserves it." The obvious leader sneered at Yusuke, tugging on the lapels of his robes in a satisfied manner.

"She's eleven, she doesn't deserve to be tortured by four full grown men." Yusuke stepped into the boys face. He stepped back, leaving the girl unattended.

Yusuke stepped over her, giving Neville the opportunity to snatch her up and hustle off with her in his arms. He headed straight for Madam Pomfrey, the girl was shaking hard, not a good sign. As he hurried away he called over his shoulder, "Don't bother to leave anything for me."

Yusuke said with dangerous calm, "Oh, I won't." He reached out with his magic and picked up the leader. "I think you should feel what that small child felt. Odoshi!" He punched the boy in the chest. He immediately howled in pain and fell to his knees as Yusuke released his robes. "Yawamiso! Kachi ga!" Yusuke ducked an awkward punch from another of the Ravenclaws.