The fact that 4A was one of the schools was a big deal for Akihiro, because it was his half sister that was their champion. Akihiro’s mother was full Japanese, having attended Mahoutokoro, and his father was full Egyptian, having attended 4A. His parents met when his mother, Mori Kaguya, visited Egypt to study dragons there. It was her dream to be a world-renowned dragon-breeder. Akihiro’s parents got along more than well (obviously), but then it was time for his mother to return home to her family and her duties. She left and his father, Ekram Hajjar, became very bitter over the matter, even though she promised that she would return and be with him once again. And so, to spite her, Ekram married a local woman who had been trying to woo him for a long while. He had three children: two daughters (Qadira and Kamaria) and the youngest being a son who died early on from illness. Shortly after the birth of his first daughter, Ekram received a letter from Kaguya, telling him that she had bore him a child, but that she learned he had remarried almost directly after her departure. This made her sad, but she also knew that it was selfish of her to expect him to wait for her. She blessed his new marriage and hoped that one day he would meet his son, Akihiro. The self-hate and anger within Ekram boiled and raged more than ever. He loathed himself for not trusting in Kaguya, for not waiting for her. And he hated that she could bless his marriage that was birthed from revenge and fueled by regret. He refused to ever meet this son of his, for fear that it would break the frail veil of dignity he shrouded himself in. And so, Ekram pitted his eldest daughter, Qadira, against Akihiro, making a competition out of his children’s well-being. It started with simple things, like who learned to walk first (Akihiro) and who learned to talk first (Qadira). Who received higher marks in classes (Akihiro) and won more athletic tournaments (Qadira). This family rivalry came to an unfortunate end during the first ever Triwizard tournament between these three schools (1997).

The three champions included Mori Akihiro, Qadira Hajjar, and Neymar Rossi.

Qadira was a Skilled witch and only chose to remain at the academy for as long as she did so that she could prove her self-worth against Akihiro. Her strengths lied in Defense Against the Dark Arts. Neymar was reluctant to be the champion of Castelobruxo, but took the title regardless and fought well. He was known to be superior on a broomstick and had a particular fondness of Magical History that was handier than one might think. Akihiro’s academic status revealed itself through his robe which maintained a golden sheen along with an impressive length and gusto. He excelled in strategy and charms.

The Triwizard Tournament of 1997 was an average one; there were perils and dangers like any other tournament had encountered before. However, in the final challenge for the cup, it was clear that Qadira Hajjar would likely be the winner. Akihiro could not stand that, for Qadira Hajjar was more than just a half-sister. She stood for the lost love that his mother pretended not to feel every day; she represented a man too proud to wait for a woman and too stubborn to confess when he had been wrong; she was the proof that such a man could still raise more powerful child than his mother could. Akihiro abhorred her and fought with himself to figure out how to show the world the strength of Mori Kaguya, best dragon-breeder of Japan as well as an unrivaled parent.

The final day of the Triwizard Tournament, Akihiro’s mother came to him in the champion’s tent to tell him that Ekram was in the audience and that he came to apologize and to support both of his children. His mother explained that after the Tournament, they would all sit down to discuss a plan of action on how they could combine families and where they would choose to reside. Kaguya made the claim that she could not leave her family in Nagasaki and Ekram stated that anywhere she is would quickly become home to him. Akihiro’s mother apologized for telling him all of this just before the final challenge began, but she felt it was important and since Qadira already knew then Akihiro should know as well. Kaguya told her son she was proud of him and so blessed for everything in her life. She kissed her son on the forehead and left the tent, unaware of the chaos she had released inside of her own son.

Akihiro entered the last challenge, the details of which have been lost due to what ensued. For it was only minutes before everything was ashes. The poor boy was lost in the turmoil of his mind and the heartache of his emotions.

Why? Why does Ekram just get to walk back into his life after 18 years? Why does he simply get to apologize and have everything be alright? Why does mother need anyone but me? Why can I not be good enough for her? And why does EVERYONE LOOK SO HAPPY?

The history books describe the events of that night as a solemn one.

Angry red flames that licked up the length of Mahoutokoro’s skeleton made of mutton-fat jade.

Flocks of hysterical giant storm petrels that attempted to quell the fires or rescue survivors.

Muggle news broadcasts reiterated the importance of steering clear of the volcano, which had remained dormant for some time until that night.

It was an echoing truth that the island of Minami Iwo Jima was now truly uninhabited for the first time.

All that was left behind was the ironic golden cloak that once belonged to Mori Akihiro.