DISCLAIMER: I do not own the HP or FF series. But they go smashingly together, and someone should convince the original owners of such.

Warnings- Mild unpleasantness, slash relationship development, curse words.

A.N: Sorry about that, no, the story or myself are not dead… Here's a teeny post to prod the ball rolling again.

Nod and Smile

An incredulous look was directed to the brunette who was dabbing at an eye with a sleeve corner. "…The heck was that?" Seeing all the stares directed at him, Harry shrugged.

"What? Guys aren't capable of acting? Kids learn how to make crocodile tears when they're barely out of their diapers! Besides, it got you out of trouble." Seifer didn't know whether to thank Harry or glare at him for making Seifer believe the tears.

Raijin grinned broadly and slapped Seifer on the back, slightly knocking the blond off balance. "Hey, he's good for your reputation, ya know? Who knows what would've happened if he weren't here!" The grin faltered only slightly when confronted with a sullen look, and he gave out a nervous chuckle and edged back next to Fujin.

"You–!"

During the ensuing squabble, Squall glanced at the slowly emptying hall noticing some of the students from the exam trickling towards the elevators. "I think we should–"

"All students who participated in today's field exam report to the second floor hallway. I repeat: All students who took the field exam, report to the second floor hallway."

Raijin slapped Harry on the back with such force the brunette pitched forward at the action. "That's you guys, ya know!"

-0-

He was nervous, but wouldn't admit it to himself. The Staff member was taking their own sweet time announcing, and with each drawled out name, his fidgeting became more noticeable.

"...Please step forward." A burst of air left his lungs and he nodded at the other as they passed.

The Faculty member folded his list and gave what appeared to be a disdainful look to the other students. "That is all. Dismissed."

-0-

"These are the five students that passed today's exam." The Faculty member turned and seemed to look disapprovingly at the person standing in the corner, before turning away again clearly disregarding them. Eyes rolled in reply. Clearing his throat, Headmaster Cid stepped forward.

"To you all, congratulations. From now on, as a member of SeeD, you will be dispatched all over the world. SeeD, Balamb Garden's mercenary soldiers, are combat specialists. But that is only one aspect of SeeD. When the time comes—"

"Headmaster, it's almost time for the meeting. Please make this short." The Headmaster looked slightly put out at the interruption, but continued.

"SeeD is a valuable asset to Garden, and our reputation relies heavily on each one of you. Please, take care with your missions." When it looked like the Headmaster was about to continue, the staff member promptly stepped forward.

"Here is your SeeD rank report!" Headmaster Cid accepted the scrolls, and passed them out, whispering to each student as he went.

-0-

Harry was starting to get bored. It was obvious that the Headmaster wanted to tell them something important, but now that he was distracted, it would have to wait. That's probably what that uptight robed guy wants.

"This ends the SeeD inauguration. Dismissed!"

Quickly, Headmaster Cid stepped forward, shooing away an irritated Faculty member. "Will Squad B remain behind please? You too, Harry."

-0-

Cid watched the boys look around before gathering. "Now, I'm sure you all have questions, but I really must make this brief. You all did wonderfully today, and even with a few bumps, I must say you all work together well. While tricky and not quite ethical, I can allow Harry to remain in Garden as a 'transfer' student." He paused, turning to pick up a file. Looking the young Sorcerer in the eye, he handed the file over. "I will need you to fill these out, I believe your friends can help with whatever questions you have. Return the papers to me between 1500—1700 hours this afternoon."

"Yes, Sir." Harry held his registration documents tightly and Headmaster Cid smiled at the group before catching the time on the clock.

"As for the rest of you boys, feel free to show him the ropes until the dance. Sleeping arrangements have been made, and can be found in the Dorm Hall." With a nod of his head, Cid slipped out of the office to go to his meeting.

-0-

As the majority of the group had yet to eat, they proceeded down to the cafeteria for both food and to work on the transfer papers.

"What's got you so down?" Raijin asked Zell, hanging back a bit to even pace with the trudging SeeD.

"The hot dogs… they were already all gone."

The heartbroken moan sent Seifer's eyes rolling and Squall shook his head. Harry glanced over at Zell curiously.

"Are the hot dogs actually that good?" Apparently he had said a trigger word, for the fighter lit up and began swinging his arms wildly, almost decking a student leaving the cafeteria.

"They're amazing! Fantastic! Better than most cafeteria food! They're the best thing we've got on the menu and-"

Fujin motioned Harry over to the counter for orders, Zell continuing to blather in the background oblivious to the other's escape. When the Sorcerer reached the counter a plate was pushed at him. Raising a brow, Harry grabbed the tray while tucking the folders under an arm and followed Fujin and Squall as they grabbed a table. Seifer snagged the next tray and quickly followed.

Settling as they waited for the other two to join, Harry pulled out the documents to give them a once over, and bit into his food. Reaching the table, Seifer settled next to him suggesting random answers for some spots. As they were working out a plausible back story, the others would interject with their own ideas.

"DUDE!" A tray clattered against the table startling the others who were deep in discussion. Glares or questioning looks from the table mates were directed at the temperamental blond, who slowly was starting to shake. Harry flinched back when a finger was flung accusingly into his face. "Is that a hotdog?"

Giving Zell a wide-eyed look, the emerald orbs darted down to look at the mostly eaten hotdog in his hand, before they shot back up to the near-rabid blond. The others at the table ducked their heads or looked away, a small evil grin on Fujin's face. Glancing over to Squall, finding no help from the pudding-eating traitor that gave him the plate, Harry decided quickly and shoved the last bit into his mouth before chewing and shaking his head furiously.

"GAAAH!"

-0-

"… I can't believe you broke the table." Came Squall's low reproachful tone.

The flustered fist fighter growled while pointing; "He ate my hotdog!" A red head passing flinched when Zell growled, ducking her head and hurrying out of the dorm hall.

"Technically it wasn't yours… and Squall gave it to me!"

Folding his arms, Harry gave Zell a hellish glare that was matched in full as the two stared each other down. Finally, Zell looked away, muttering angrily.

"Punk… Just your luck they'd found that last half package stuffed in the back… Would'a been mine if–"

"Zell–" The fist fighter glanced at Squall, "Shut up."