A Ninja Calamity is a Hufflepuff at Hogwarts

Kouchi stood among the other first-year students on the grassy field where the flying lesson was about to begin. Rows of brooms lay neatly on the ground, each one weathered and seemingly fragile. The instructor, Madam Hooch, paced in front of them, barking out instructions with authority.

"Everyone, stand by your broom! Extend your hand over it and say, 'Up!' with confidence!" she called.

Kouchi complied with her instruction but only to keep up appearances. His hand hovered over the broom, and he muttered, "Up," without much enthusiasm. The broom quivered slightly before flipping into his hand. He studied the object with a critical eye.

The idea of flying on something so unstable struck him as absurd. Back in the Hidden Leaf Village, flight was reserved for the truly skilled, those who could manipulate their chakra with precision. Relying on something as flimsy as a broomstick seemed more like a liability than a skill worth mastering. A single well-aimed jutsu or gust of wind could send a flyer plummeting.

"This is pointless," he muttered under his breath, eyeing the excited faces of his classmates.

______

Unfortunately, his escape didn't go unnoticed for long. As he rounded a corner near the castle's entrance, a familiar, icy voice stopped him in his tracks.

"Mr. Kouchi."

Kouchi froze, suppressing a groan. He turned to see Professor Snape emerging from the shadows, his dark eyes glinting with suspicion.

"Care to explain why you're wandering the castle during your scheduled flying lesson?" Snape asked, his tone cold and clipped.

Kouchi met Snape's gaze, his face impassive. "I didn't see the point in staying. Flying on a broomstick is... inefficient."

Snape's expression didn't change, but Kouchi could sense the man's irritation. "I see," Snape drawled. "Perhaps you'd like to explain your disregard for school rules to the headmaster—or would detention suffice?"

Kouchi shrugged. "Detention is fine."

Snape's lip curled into a sneer. "Very well. You'll join the others in detention tomorrow night. Hagrid will escort you into the Forbidden Forest."

The Forbidden Forest? That piqued Kouchi's interest. He had heard whispers about the forest—its dangers, its mysteries, its untamed magic. If anything, this "punishment" sounded more like an opportunity to explore something worthwhile.

______

The next evening, Kouchi stood at the edge of the Forbidden Forest alongside a handful of other students who had also earned detention. Among them were Harry Potter, Hermione Granger, Neville Longbottom and Draco Malfoy. Hagrid loomed over them, his massive frame making the group seem even smaller by comparison.

"All right, listen up," Hagrid began, his voice gruff but kind. "We're goin' into the forest tonight to check on somethin' important. Stay close, don't wander off, and follow my lead. Got it?"

Draco looked horrified. "We're going into there? Are you mad?"

"Detention's s'posed to teach ya somethin', Malfoy," Hagrid replied, his tone brooking no argument. "If you don't like it, you should've thought twice about breakin' the rules."

Kouchi stood silently, his eyes fixed on the dark expanse of trees ahead. The air was thick with magic, its presence humming in the back of his mind. He could feel the forest's energy tugging at his senses, and despite his outward calm, he was eager to explore what lay within.

As the group entered the forest, Kouchi hung back slightly, allowing the others to chatter nervously among themselves. Hagrid led the way, his lantern casting long, flickering shadows. The path wound deeper and deeper, the trees growing denser with each step.

"Stay close now," Hagrid said, glancing over his shoulder. "There's creatures in these woods that don't take kindly to strangers."

Kouchi smirked faintly. Strangers or not, he doubted anything in this forest could pose a real threat to him. Still, he kept his chakra senses alert, mapping the surroundings as they moved. Every rustle of leaves, every flicker of movement in the shadows—it all painted a vivid picture of the forest's life and its secrets.

______

As they ventured further, Kouchi couldn't help but notice Draco's increasing nervousness. The boy kept glancing over his shoulder, jumping at every sound.

"This is ridiculous," Draco muttered. "We shouldn't even be out here. My father will hear about this."

Kouchi rolled his eyes, his patience for Draco's whining already worn thin. The boy's cowardice grated on his nerves, but he said nothing, focusing instead on the forest itself.

By the time they reached a small clearing, the group was tense and on edge. Hagrid stopped and turned to face them, his expression serious. "Right, we're splittin' up here. Me an' Kouchi will take one path. Harry, and Malfoy, you'll take the other with Fang. Hermione and Neville Longbottom, ya take the last one. Stay sharp, an' if ya see somethin', call out."

As the groups separated, Kouchi felt a surge of anticipation. The Forbidden Forest was teeming with untapped potential, and he intended to uncover its secrets—even if it meant enduring Hagrid's company for the rest of the night.

Moreover, this arrangement of groups was a little funny, but Kouchi could not help but feel as if it was intentional.

'Is Hagrid trying to keep an eye on me? Then, should I do what I need to and investigate this place?'

Kouchi walked silently beside Hagrid, his sharp eyes taking in every detail of the Forbidden Forest. The magical hum of the forest was alive around him, each tree and shadow whispering secrets of an ancient world. But tonight, Kouchi wasn't interested in merely observing. He had plans.

As Hagrid rambled on about the creatures of the forest and the importance of respecting their habitat, Kouchi subtly formed a single hand seal. A faint wisp of chakra split from his body, coalescing into a perfect replica of himself—a shadow clone. Without missing a beat, the clone fell into step with Hagrid, nodding occasionally to feign interest.

Meanwhile, Kouchi's real body slipped into the shadows, completely masked by his chakra suppression technique.

Moving swiftly and silently through the dense forest, Kouchi allowed his instincts to guide him. The deeper he went, the stronger the ebb and flow of magic became. It wasn't like chakra—it lacked the raw versatility and adaptability he was accustomed to. Still, it intrigued him, and he wondered what secrets the forest's magic might hold.

A faint rustling caught his attention, and Kouchi came to an abrupt halt. Peering through the foliage, he spotted a familiar figure pacing nervously near a cluster of trees. The man wore a turban and kept wringing his hands, his movements jittery and erratic.

"Professor Quirrell?" Kouchi murmured under his breath, narrowing his eyes.

The Defense Against the Dark Arts professor looked pale and distressed, muttering to himself in a voice too low for Kouchi to catch. His entire demeanor screamed of fear, though Kouchi couldn't tell whether it was directed at the forest or something—or someone—else.

Kouchi stepped out from the shadows, his presence still cloaked. "Professor," he said evenly, his voice startlingly loud in the stillness of the forest.

Quirrell froze as if struck, his head snapping toward Kouchi. His wide, frightened eyes locked onto the boy, and for a moment, he seemed completely paralyzed.

"You... What are you doing here?" Quirrell stammered, his voice shaking. He took a hesitant step backward, his gaze darting around as though searching for an escape.

"I could ask you the same thing," Kouchi replied, his tone calm but laced with curiosity. He took a measured step forward, his sharp gaze never leaving the professor. "This isn't exactly the safest place for a nighttime stroll."

Quirrell's breathing grew more erratic, and without warning, he turned and bolted, crashing clumsily through the underbrush.

Kouchi blinked, momentarily surprised by the professor's reaction. "Interesting," he muttered, considering whether to give chase. Quirrell's behavior was suspicious, but before Kouchi could make a decision, a faint ripple of chakra nearby caught his attention.

It was faint but unmistakable—a disturbance that didn't belong in the natural flow of the forest.

Kouchi turned away from the direction Quirrell had fled, his focus now on the anomaly. He moved quickly and quietly, weaving through the trees like a shadow. The disturbance grew stronger with each step, and soon, the sound of voices reached his ears.

Pushing aside a low-hanging branch, Kouchi stepped into a clearing and froze.

Before him lay a dead unicorn, its silvery blood pooling beneath its lifeless form and glistening faintly in the moonlight. The sight was both haunting and tragic, the beauty of the creature marred by its untimely death.

Nearby, Harry Potter and Draco Malfoy stood rooted to the spot, their faces pale with shock. Draco was trembling, clutching at a tree for support, while Harry's wide eyes were fixed on the fallen creature.

"What..." Draco's voice wavered, barely above a whisper. "What could've done this?"

Harry didn't respond, his gaze darting nervously around the clearing.

Kouchi stepped closer, his presence startling both boys. They whipped around to face him, their expressions a mixture of fear and confusion.

"You..." Harry began, his voice trailing off as he struggled to find words. "What are you doing here?"

Kouchi didn't answer immediately. Instead, he crouched beside the unicorn, his sharp eyes scanning the scene. The air was thick with the residue of magic, its presence unnatural and oppressive. He extended his senses, searching for any lingering chakra or magical signatures.

"This wasn't a natural death," Kouchi said finally, his voice low. He glanced at Harry and Draco, his expression unreadable. "Something killed it."

Draco let out a strangled noise, his fear evident. "W-we need to get out of here! Now!"

Harry hesitated, torn between the instinct to flee and the need to understand what had happened.

Kouchi straightened, his gaze shifting toward the trees on the far side of the clearing. Something—no, someone—had been here. He could feel the faintest trace of intent, a dark and predatory presence that lingered like a shadow.

"Whatever did this might still be nearby," Kouchi said, his tone calm but firm. "Stay close and don't make any sudden moves."

Draco immediately shrank back, his fear threatening to overwhelm him. Harry, though visibly shaken, managed a nod.

Kouchi's mind raced as he considered his next move. He hadn't expected to encounter something of this magnitude on what was supposed to be a routine detention. Whoever—or whatever—was responsible for this was powerful, and their motives were far from benign.

For now, Kouchi decided, his priority was ensuring that Harry and Draco got out of the forest safely. Whatever questions he had about the unicorn's death and the strange occurrences in the forest would have to wait.