Magic and Mystery Coil by Allegory_for_Hatred

Dazai Gets Into Trouble

"Dazai," Mori had written.

His script was a swirling cursive as always, dotted with hearts and dashed with some of Elise's doodles. But, despite the mess Mori had made of the letter, the paper was expensive and cleanly cut. Mori was dangerous whether he was signing his name with a heart or holding a knife to your throat.

"Apologies for the late response, dear, but that owl of yours tore up my papers again. What have I said about getting it trained? At this rate, I'll be forced to put it down. And how will we talk then? I can't bear the thought of you not getting my letters!" Mori's letter begun. Then,

"I'm glad to hear you're making at least some level of progress with Lucius' test. The sooner you finish, the sooner the Port Mafia can get to work with other endeavors. I expect concrete results soon. And while you're at it, do keep a tight leash on Lucius' son. It's good to keep our options open. We're all counting on you! You know failure is unacceptable, Osamu."

Followed by a big, red heart. It must have been drawn in one of Elise's markers, because Dazai didn't think it was done in blood. The ruby color was still too vivid, and not at all faded to the sickly-looking brown of old blood. Not that he would put it past the doctor.

"In the meantime, I've been keeping tabs on the Daily Prophet's reports regarding you. You're turning into quite the menace over there! Don't let it get to your head, now. Despite what everyone has to say about you, I'm certain you aren't half the menace at Hogwarts that you are back home. No one knows you better than I do, after all.

That said, I'm sure everyone is giving you a hard time over there. Why don't you make some trouble for your professors in return? Just try not to get yourself expelled in the meantime, Osamu."

Dazai sniffed.

Mori was being a hassle, like always.

Of course Dazai was going to do his best on this job! Of course he was going to try and get it done as quickly as possible! Of course he was keeping an eye on Draco!

Dazai skimmed the rest of the letter with a frown. Mori went on to ask for an update on the petrification, made an inquiry as to what the staff was currently up to, and requested a report on Dazai's progress in spell-casting.

He sighed and folded the letter up. Despite himself, Dazai wasn't feeling particularly annoyed with Mori.

More... discomforted.

"I trust you're keeping those silly self-destructive habits of yours to a minimum," Mori had signed off, "M."

...he was keeping under control just fine. The job came first, obviously.

Dazai's fingers twitched.

Hoot!

Dazai blinked out of his thoughts. He sat up and turned a blank eye onto Featherbrain.

She gave another trilling hoot, evidently having something to say. At her side, lounging across the desk, Egg blew out a puff of smoke. It ruffled Featherbrain's chest feathers and made her look wild and unkempt. She squawked at the dragon.

"I can't understand a thing you're saying," Dazai drawled, creasing the letter and slipping it into the desk drawer. Only once it was shut did he look back at the squabbling owl and dragon.

At some point, Featherbrain had taken to the air, flapping her wings around angrily. Egg lazily bared her teeth. A half-hearted threat.

"But if you were saying how awful Mori is, then you're right. He really is the worst... I know how to do my job, you know. He doesn't have to keep reminding me..."